This 1962 3000 MkII has been built into a tribute to Pat Moss’s Factory Works Rally car. It’s not an exact replica, but features many details that set it above the average rally tribute. The seller adds that it’s well used with plenty of cosmetic blemishes, but this is the way we’d want it, as any rally tribute is meant to be driven. If it drives as good as it looks, hopefully the new owner will enter it in competitive TSD classic rallies, and continue to bring motorsport success to the Big Healey legend 50+ years on. Find it here on eBay in Bellingham, Washington with reserve not met and a $35k starting bid.

While many rally cars from the 50’s and 60’s were mildly tweaked production cars, the BMC Factory Healeys received much more extensive treatment such as aluminium body panels and a distinctive fiberglass boot lid. The seller makes no mention of such work on this car, which makes it more of a tribute to a period privateer effort rather than a full-on Works car.

Still, work done includes a factory hardtop with swivel roof lamp, fender vents, Lucas driving lamps, a rally grille and more. The seller adds that the car is well used, but the frame is straight and there are no obvious signs of rot in photos. Overall, it certainly looks the part, and is bound to steal the show at any North American classic event, though it may receive tougher scrutiny in any serious European historic rally.

The interior looks just right, and is equipped with expensive period Halda and Heuer time-keeping gear. It’s also fitted with competition seat belts, a roll bar and other miscellaneous rally gear, though the haggard steering wheel is of course on the wrong side for a works car. If we’d do anything to the interior, it may be to treat some of the surface rust, especially if it get used in any winter events. Otherwise, we’d leave it exactly as-is.

Performance mods include triple carbs with velocity stacks, new header and side-exit exhaust. No mention is made of any hop-up work done to the engine itself, though 172 HP is sharpied on the valve cover, suggesting it may not be all stock inside. Likewise, no mention is made of any suspension work, nor does there appear to be a skid plate–a crucial piece of gear which we’d add before any serious competition use.

While the car may not be a perfect tribute to 77 ARX, it has all the looks and equipment to take up historic rallies in style. Depending on what has been done, its new owner can build up the performance or just enjoy its wonderful scruffiness as presented. Even if the car isn’t bound to see gravel any time soon, it still makes for an interesting alternative to overly restored 3000’s, and serves as a great reminder of Austin-Healey’s great rally history.