1959 Austin Healey 3000 MKI

HTP

 

Few cars are a better embodiment of their era than the iconic Austin Healey 3000. With its swooping lines, long bonnet and powerful inline-six engine, the “Big Healey” was an instant eyecatcher. Unsurprisingly, it also made for a competitive racing proposition and many 3000s went on to enjoy success at circuits across the world.

 

This example, best known as ‘SID1,’ is arguably one of the most cherished and iconic. Built in 1959 it was dispatched internally to the Healey competition department where it received racing modifications before delivery on New Years Eve 1959 to Elizabeth “Liz” Jones, a keen privateer racer.

 

Starting life with registration 3716NX the desire for more speed meant that the car raced in many guises in which it had notable outings at the 1961 Goodwood Members Meeting 10 lap scratch race, the Silverstone 6-hour relay race and the Autosport Snetterton race where she finished 2nd in the over 2L Class. 

 

In 1963, the car moved on to Syd and Thelma Segal. It was Syd who, after the car was initially used as a daily driver and weekend rally car by Thelma, gave the car the SID1 registration that spawned the well-known nickname. Under Syd’s watch, the car was extensively modified to be part of the increasingly popular Modsports series and became a fearsome looking machine with wide fenders. 

SID1, with its instantly recognizable plate was featured in an article by the magazine Cars and Car Conversions in 1971 and it was on their cover with the subtitle “SHEER TERROR”. 

 

After more than ten years in the Segals’ hands, SID1 moved on once more, this time to Ulf Lydholm in Sweden. Even further modifications followed until the car fell under the ownership of caring owners who gradually, over time, restored SID1 to its original state, thereby ensuring its conformity to the strict standards held for historic racing. It is in this state that the car is offered for sale today, with equipment including a hard top with side screens, roll cage and removable three-spoke steering wheel. 

 

Also included are the records of the car’s racing history, the Heritage Certificate, registration papers from both Sweden and the UK and the FIA Historical Passport (HTP) ensuring eligibility for international historic racing competition. The car is presented with an extensive archive of period photos as well as a list of owners from 1959 to 2024. Of note, the car underwent an engine rebuild in 2023 by marque specialist Anders Schildt and drove only one race since while the overdrive was renovated in 2024.

 

Amongst the list of potential races like Goodwood and Le Mans Classic, SID1 is also invited for Equipe Classic Racing’s Syd Segal Memorial Trophy for Austin Healeys to be held on the Silverstone Circuit on Saturday June 7th 2025. 

 

·          Eligible for the most important Historic events like Goodwood and Le Mans Classic

·          Heritage Certificate confirming delivery to the Healey competitions department 

·          Retains its original UK registration 3716NX

·          Continuously raced since 1959

·          One of the best-known Austin Healey’s

·          Uninterrupted provenance

·          Full history archive 

·          FIA HTP until 2034

·          Alloy body

·          An important part of Austin Healey history 

·          Invited for the 2025 all Healey Syd Segal Memorial Trophy