File:Austin-Healey 3000 Mk3 (28406033675).jpg

The Healey Hundred was a sensation at the 1952 Earl’s Court Motor Show. Austin’s Leonard Lord had already contracted to supply the engines, but when he noticed the sports car’s impact, he decided he wanted to build it too — it was transformed overnight into the Austin-Healey 100. Donald Healey had spotted a gap in the American sports car market between the Jaguar XK120 (seepages 298—301) and the cheap and cheerful MG T series (seepages 380—83). His hunch was right, for about 80 per cent of all production went Stateside. Over the years this rugged bruiser became increasingly civilized. In 1956, it received a six-cylinder engine in place of the four, but in 1959 the 3000 was born. It became increasingly refined, with front disc brakes, then wind-up windows, and ever faster. Our featured car is the last of the line, a 3000 Mk3. Although perhaps verging on grand-tourer territory, it is also the fastest of all Big Healeys and still a true sports car.