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The first of a million questions

Rip

Freshman Member
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This '65 3000 MKIII I've been entrusted with is a BJ8.

Would someone fill me in on the difference between a BJ8 and a 3000 MKIII that is not a BJ8?

Are there any other distinctions I should look for?

Thanks, Rip
 
Hi Rip, there are no MK111's that are not BJ8's. There are minor differences in the BJ8's but they are virtually unrecognisable.--Fwiw--Keoke
 
you may be thinking of the Phase I vs the Phase II. The earlier one has a lowed center as all other Healeys. The later one is raised a little to accomidate the DOT. It also has dual front parking/turn signal lights. The lenses of the rear tail light is also larger on the Phase II. Since the phase one didn't last long before the change there are fewer of them so people assume the BJ8 only refers to the later design.
TH
 
OK, thanks for clearing me up on the BJ8 thing.

Now we know the date of manufacture of this car was early January 1965. We have been told this car was some sort of a "cross-over" that had a 1964 interior in a 1965 body or vice-versa.

Is that a possibility?

I'm sorry to be asking such goofy questions but the true owner of this car passed away suddenly a couple of years ago and he took all the knowledge of the history of this car with him. His wife and I are trying to put some of the bits and pieces of what we remember were some of the stories he told us about the car when he was alive.

He gave us the impression that this was not an ordinary MKIII 3000. My old buddy was prone to exaggerate at times and it was hard to know when he was in the "stretching" mode.

So we're just going on what we think we remember he told us.


Thanks, Rip
 
Apply for the Heritage Certificate and you'll get a good basis of knowledge telling you exactly when the car was built and to what specifications.

AWEM
 
Hi Rip,
I don’t know how deep you want to delve, but I would recommend getting this book for starters.
Restoration Guide
 
Anything built after May, 1964 and number 26705 is a phase 2. In March, 1965 the phase 2's went to separate indicator lights from running lights for the front and back and the rear reflectors went on the bumper.
If yours was built in Jan., 1965, it is an early phase 2, but with combined running light/indicator lights both front and rear.
The first Mk III or BJ8's were built in Oct., 1963.
Other differences in the phase 1 and 2; the phase 1's had glass lenses for the indicator lights, 2's have plastic, and the phase 1 had a cubby box as part of the arm rest ( a very neat feature that they should have kept for the phase 2's.
 
Tahoe Healey -

It's a common misconception, but many hundreds (if not thousands) Phase II BJ8s have single signal/brake light combinations (I have one). Phase II only means a change in the suspension, silencer system, and removal of the interior arm rest glove box (why did they remove this? I wish my BJ8 had this!)
 
GregW said:
Hi Rip,
I don’t know how deep you want to delve, but I would recommend getting this book for starters.
Restoration Guide

Thanks for the link Greg.

This gets to exactly what we are trying to decide.

The car was in the early stages of being torn down to restore when the owner died. Most of the chrome is off the car and the radiator is out. We have all the parts, the chrome needs rechroming and I'd guess the radiator removal was the first step in getting ready to pull the motor.The interior is intact and everything else is there. Other than the chrome and radiator the car is much the way it was when it was parked.

The car is going to be put up for sale, that's a given. We are trying to decide how much we want to do (if anything) to it before putting it on the market. Anyone who buys this car will probably want to restore it themselves to their specifications. Anyway that's what I'd want to do if I were buying an old classic like this.

It is a good solid car and could easily be restored to "show" condition in my opinion. We're just trying to get some help and ideas in making the decision on how to offer the car when the time comes to sell.

Rip
 
AndrewMawson said:
Apply for the Heritage Certificate and you'll get a good basis of knowledge telling you exactly when the car was built and to what specifications.

AWEM

We do have the heritage certificate for this car. Quite frankly I was a little disappointed in the amount of information we received for the money we had to spend.

I'm sure that some car afficianados will appreciate knowing their gear box and rear axle numbers but I can't say that it helped me.

We did however find exactly when our car was manufactured and now we know for sure the car, as we suspected, was personally exported to the USA rather than going through a dealership.

But for the money spent I was hoping there would be more specifics about the car.

Thanks,

Rip
 
...and one other, but most often overlooked detail...the '67 Phase II has the license plate on top of the rear bumper vs underneath it.
 
Here's what I have to work with now. When I get some air in the tires I'll pull it out, wash it off and get some better photos.


IMG_0247resize.jpg


IMG_0245_resize.jpg


Rip
 
RIP -

Despite the outside of the car looking pretty trashed, I have to say the interior looks remarkably good. Count your blessings - that's typically a very good sign if the interior is in decent shape. My fingers are crossed that the rest of the car is actually better than it looks.

Congrats!
 
healeynut said:
RIP -

Despite the outside of the car looking pretty trashed, I have to say the interior looks remarkably good. Count your blessings - that's typically a very good sign if the interior is in decent shape. My fingers are crossed that the rest of the car is actually better than it looks.

Congrats!

Alan,

Honestly, those are bad photos and it's mostly just dirt. The car needs a paint job-no question...and probably a top. But it's solid and there's no major dents.

Just a good cleanup will make a huge difference in this car's appearance.

We have found all the chrome, lights and books that go with the car. So at least we don't have to worry about that.

Thanks,

Rip
 
I hope the seller tossed in the red lawn mower with the purchase!
 
Patrick67BJ8 said:
...and one other, but most often overlooked detail...the '67 Phase II has the license plate on top of the rear bumper vs underneath it.

Patrick - this is true only for BJ8s sent to the US (my '64 has this later type license place bracket).

BJ8s shipped any where else had them under the bumper like earlier healeys.
 
IMG_0241resize.jpg


249resize.jpg


A couple more pictures.

Also the mower is available...low mileage, only used to cut grass on Sundays by a little old lady....

Rip
 
Hi RIP, IMHO put the chrome parts back on the car and take it to a local classic car broker/restorer and ask them to sell the car for you. This will save you time and money in the long run, plus you'll not have "tire kickers" coming to your house "low balling" you.
 
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