Editing Austin-Healey 3000 (section)

====BN7, BT7 roadsters====
The Austin-Healey 3000 was announced on 1 July 1959 with a 3-litre [[BMC C-Series engine]] to replace the smaller 2.6-litre engine of the [[Austin-Healey 100-6|100-6]] and disc brakes for its front wheels. The manufacturers claimed it would reach 60&nbsp;mph in 11 seconds and 100&nbsp;mph in 31 seconds.<ref>{{cite news | title=A More Powerful Austin Healey | newspaper=The Times | date=1 July 1959 | page=9 | issue=54501}}</ref>

Other changes were minor compared to those between the original [[Austin-Healey 100|100]] and the 100–6. The wheelbase and body were unchanged as were the body-styles, a 2+2 or BT7 and a two-seater BN7.

Weather protection remained minimal, a folding plastic roof on a light demountable frame and above the doors detachable side screens holding sliding perspex panels. Wire wheels, overdrive gearbox, laminated windscreen, heater,  adjustable steering column, detachable hard top for the 2+2, and two-tone paint were available as options.

13,650 Mark Is were built: 2,825 BN7 open two-seaters, and 10,825 BT7 2+2s<ref name=AZ1945>{{cite book |last=Clausinger |first= Anders Ditlev|title=Original Austin-Healey – The Restorers Guide to 100, 100-Six and 3000 |year=1990 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=UK |isbn=1-870979-13-3}}</ref>

;Road test
A BT7 3000 with hardtop and overdrive tested by ''[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]]'' magazine in 1960 had a top speed of {{convert|115|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0–{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 11.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of {{convert|21.6|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car cost £1326 including taxes.<ref name=Motor1960>{{cite journal |title = The Austin Healey 3000| journal =[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]]| date = 13 July 1960}}</ref>

<gallery widths=200 heights=145>
File:Austin Healey 3000 VVJ 230.jpg|1959 Mark I BN7 open two-seater
File:1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mark I BT-7 (4586385575) (cropped).jpg|1960 Mark I BT7 open 2+2
File:Austin Healey 3000 Cockpit.jpg|Mk I (or Mk 2) open car showing sidescreen
</gallery>