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Austin Healey parts spares and accessories are available for Austin Healey 100, 100-6, 3000, Sprite, Bugeye (Frogeye) and other Healey models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

Austin-Healey 3000 - MK 1 or MK 11?

Hi everyone,

I have the chance to purchase either a early 3000 or a MK 11 tri-carb. Both cars are in similar condition.
I would appreciate any comments on either car from owners.
The Austin Healey club of the USA advises to avoid the tri-carb due to the difficulty in keeping the carbs in tune and its heavier fuel consumption.
Any thoughts on the matter?
Thanks. Neil P.
N.T. Peniston

Hi Neil;

I have had a MkII BT7 tricarb since 1984 and it is the second one I have owned. Until two years ago when I took it off the road [that is another story], I averaged roughly 4,000 miles per year and never had any trouble connected with the three carbs. With my first tricarb in 1966 I learned a very valuable lesson; if it is not broken and I don't know what I am doing, don't play. In other words, I have not fiddled with the tri-carbs. In all the years I have owned my current car, I have had the carbs tuned twice by professionals. My only task has been to keep the dash pots filled with the proper oil.

I have not considered the fuel consumption to have been a problem. Between 1984 and 2004 [21 years] I averaged 22.1 miles / Cdn gallon. In terms of km/litre, that works out to 7.8 km/litre. My 2001 Honda Civic in 231,000 km has averaged 15.0 km/litre. Heavy user? Depends on your expectations and comparisons.

I realize this note is over a month after your original posting but if you have not done the deal yet, do give the MkII Tricarb serious consideration.

--Scott Morris [Simcoe, Ontario]
jstmorris@yahoo.com

PS: I also have an early MkI BN7 awaiting a ground-up restoration.
J. Scott Morris

Tri Carb is a rare and desirable car. It's the one I would choose if I were looking again.

Mark.
Mark Boldry

This thread was discussed between 05/02/2006 and 16/09/2006

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