Performance Review: Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 - [1964]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Austin-Healey 3000 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1964. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12.This particular Austin-Healey 3000 has a 2912cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 3000 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3000's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1077 kgs (2374 lbs) this makes the Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 in the same weight category as the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 or the give or take 50kg.

The Austin-Healey 3000 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2912cc 12V St6 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 5250 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 173 lb-ft (234.5 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Austin-Healey 3000 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster (164.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Austin-Healey 3000.

The Austin-Healey 3000 has a Power to weight ratio of 139.2 bhp per ton and 160.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1964 3000 competing with the 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster (164.2 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 230 (164.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Austin-Healey 3000 generating around 160.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (185.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1976 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 2 (185.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.1 secs, this made the Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 as fast as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (9.80 secs) the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo (9.80 secs) the or the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 2.3 V6 Turbo (9.80 secs). This Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 is also faster than the 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (9.90 secs) the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.90 secs) the 1980 Nissan Skyline Hardtop 2000 Turbo GT-E (9.90 secs) the and the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (9.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3000 and the 2011 Lexus GS 350

When talking about the performance of the Austin-Healey 3000 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.86 secs @ 86.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Lexus GS 350 (15.79 secs), the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (15.80 secs), and the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (15.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1964 version of the Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 has a maximum speed of 122mph.

Top Speed of the 1964 3000 equals the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1964 Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 then how about the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph), the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (133 mph), or the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (133 mph).

Related Links:

1964 3000 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Austin-Healey

Car Comparison