My car is a 1966 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III, serial no. BJ8L36477. I purchased it in January 1967 from a used car dealer in Minneapolis. When I asked to see it, the salesman handed me a show shovel and suggested I dig it out myself. Paid $3,000. It was six months old, previous owner was a doctor who had purchased it to tour Europe. He sold it to buy a Cougar.

In 1968 while I was living and working in Arkansas, the rear main bearing seized to the crankshaft and turned in the block. The local dealer was able to get me a new replacement block (even though the vehicle was out of warranty). However, instead of a factory short block assembly, they provided the equivalent parts. I had to have it assembled. Unfortunately, the dealer that I had do the work did not do a good job and the vehicle consumed excessive oil from the start (eventually a quart every 50 miles).

In 1970 we relocated to San Francisco. The cost at that time to rebuild the engine the second time would have run about $1,000. A tidy sum for a struggling young engineer. I began considering replacing the engine with a V-8. I would look in the classifieds for modified Healeys for sale, contact the owners and inspect their cars for conversion ideas. I saw many neat conversions in the Bay Area. One thing about car buffs, they are always willing to show off and talk about their cars.

My next assignment was in Pennsylvania. I lived near Boyertown, a small town in the southeastern part of the state with ample salvage yards. I found a 1970 Mercury with 15 miles on and a 302 in it. I got every thing I could carry away for $300. I towed my 3000 to near by Warminster, PA, home of the Hurst factory. They advised me on which T-10 transmission and tail shaft I needed to put the shifter in just the right place. I substituted the AH 3.90 rear end with a 3.54. All in all, it was a very successful conversion. The car was a thrill to drive. Except for the dual exhaust, the outward appearance was completely stock.

In 1973 I took a job overseas. The car went into storage, woefully inadequate storage where it deteriorated considerably. After returning in 1980 I drove it some but the car was not in respectable condition.

In 1986 while living in Fort Worth I decided to do a ground up restoration. I completely disassembled the car. During the 1987 - 1990 period the car resided on a 16' trailer in a number of boxes, being towed from location to location as job assignments changed.

In 1990 we relocated to Houston. As my daughter was heading into high school we decided to stop moving around. We bought a house with a three car garage with one stall reserved for my AH. I had the frame dipped, repaired and painted. I've made spotty progress in the period since 1990, mostly on the suspension and brakes.

Recently, I've had the engine rebuilt (bored 0.030") with Eldebrock Performer Series cam, intake manifold and carburetor. I've gone to a Ford Racing flywheel and clutch and a Mustang T-5 transmission.

Currently I am doing all the work that can and should be done prior to having the body work completed, complete the brakes, electrical, hydraulic clutch, exhaust, etc. I am working toward having the car ready for bodywork by the end of the year (2003).

Charlie Vaselaar - AH 5017
Houston, TX
cvaselaar@earthlink.net