The One and Only Rudd Speed Demonstrator Austin Healey 3000 9380 PO

More photos to follow.

Whilst most were content with the ample power of the new Austin Healey 3000, well known tuning specialist of the 1960’s, Ken Rudd set out to produce an even faster Austin Healey, available to everyone. Famous for modifying most notably AC Ace, Acecas, Alfa Romeos and even Volvos, with as special tuning package, Ken Rudd was able to increase the power of your Austin Healey 3000 by 48 bhp to 178 bhp. If you were able to afford the £1,168 sports car, for just £86, you could really improve your Healey.

The upgrades included a skimmed cylinder-head, machined and polished ports and combustion chamber, pocketed block just like the works cars and recut valve seats. High lift cam shaft and triple carburettor inlet manifolds to incorporate the third S. U. carb, a clear indication of any car with Rudd Speed upgrades.

With all of these power upgrades, the car must be able to turn when you get to the end of the straights, a handling pack was also available for £37, stiffer dampers and springs helped support the car through turns and a recommended brake servo for £19 10s would help you to stop as well as it goes.

Ken Rudd needed a development car and demonstrator to show the public what they were really missing, that car was 9380 PO.  9380 featured Rudd Speed tuning upgrades, please a few one-offs. It was shared between many journalists for road tests and featured in many famous publications. Although it may not be able to be described in the same way these days, September 1960, a citation of Motorsport Magazine’s road test described the modified Rudd Speed car as ‘undeniably, a “man’s car” and although a strong left arm is needed to change gear, £ for mph, this car is undoubtedly tops’.

9380 PO is the original Rudd Speed demonstration car with racing history from the 1960 grand touring car race at Snetterton where it finished 3rd in class driven by Bob ‘sideways’ Staples. Other distinctive Rudd Speed modifications include the side vent, ‘finned’ inlet manifolds and two mounting brackets for the aero screen, still fitted to the car today – idea being the hardtop, windscreen and bumpers could be removed for racing. The car is supplied with previous FIA papers and although the car is not full prepared for today’s competition it would make a fantastic historic racing car with sublime period history, eligible for Goodwood revival entry as well as all other annual FIA historic events such as Le Mans, Silverstone Classic, Masters, GT & Sports Car Cup. Or simply could be enjoyed as a now very rapid, very special Healey.

9380 PO underwent a full mechanical overhaul by JME Healeys between February 2019 – May 2019 at cost of £45,000. During this time period the engine was rebuilt and upgraded with a steel crank and conrods. Aluminium cylinder-head and road rally camshaft. Dyno readings had the engine producing 240 BHP at the flywheel with the Rudd Speed carburettor and manifold setup. The gearbox and differential have been fully rebuilt. The front & rear suspensions and steering were all overhauled and setup by for fast road driving. Avon CR6ZZ tyres fitted. The car is in the best mechanical order possible and all original features remain just as the car was seen in 1960.

This desirable and rare Ruddspeed 3000 MK I is offered for sale on behalf of the current owner and is complete with a very large selection of contemporary road tests, race records and performances assuring and documenting its history along with receipt file and past ownership record. Supplied with UK V5C Registration Document, Original buff logbook, Heritage certificate and MOT. Recent invoices of all work completed by ourselves and other specialists.

The history and rarity of this car is extremely hard to come by.