About the Project
This Austin Healey 3000 BJ8 was stripped down completely and lovingly rebuilt to better-than-original standard. The interior of CFM 25B arrived in 1998 in very poor condition and was followed by the car itself in 1999. All the door and rear quarter panels were re-made using 1/8th ply. The rear folding seat frame was re-made in ash and, woodwork completed, the serious work began. The original seats were stripped down to bare frames and returned to the lovely man who re-built the car who worked his magic to remove the rust. Sound-deadening felt was put in the car and then the carpets were made, bound in hide and fitted. Door panels and the dashboard were trimmed and fitted, seats trimmed (new foam used) and then the hood was made with a tonneau cover and hood bag to match.
Early in 2000, when the owner of the car told us he was eager to test drive it, we could hardly refuse as he had waited a long time to get the car to driveable status. The car was taken to Penrith Lakes for an annual Healey meet and it won the Standish Car Trim Trophy for best interior trim and the Alan Holmes Trophy for the best BJ8m – before it was even finished!