MGC “Austin Healey 3000 MkIV”

This car bears chassis number GCD1/99, the roadster prototype is GCN1/100. It is based on an MGB Mk1 shell so lacks integral reversing lights. Electrics are positive earth – production Cs are negative earth. There are weld lines in places where inner wings were modified to accommodate the different engine and front suspension.

Several MGC-specific components (e.g. pedal box, radiator brackets and air cleaner box) were made up from pieces welded together, not standard pressings. The engine, numbered XSP234111, differs in detail from the production engine. The ‘XSP’ prefix denoted engines handled by BMC Competitions Department.

There were several coats of paint. The second coat was metallic blue - it was returned to this as I believed it was the colour in which it left the factory, a fact since confirmed – see below*. Holes along the sill top edges suggested a trim strip or sill covers had been fitted at some stage.

*The historian of the Austin Healey Drivers Club considers, beyond reasonable doubt, that this was the proposed “Austin Healey 3000 MkIV” presented to (and rejected by) Donald and Geoffrey Healey. It had been painted in AH Ice Blue Metallic.

Triplex bought it when MG had finished with it, hence the glass roof!