BMC’s development of the Big Healey for rallying started in 1958 with the 2.6-litre 100/6 model which debuted in that year’s Monte Carlo Rally driven by Tommy Wisdom.

By the time the new 2.9-litre 3000 model took over mid way through 1959, the 100/6 had demonstrated considerable promise, achieving a number of leader-board finishes, the best of which was Jack Sears’ class win in the ’59 Tulip Rally.

Development was facilitated by the transfer of Austin-Healey production to MG’s Abingdon factory in 1957 and the decision to base the works’ rally programme at the Competitions Department there under Marcus Chambers.

Benefiting from the attention of MG’s experienced engineers, the 3000 was progressively developed over the course of the next six years, before a change in the FIA’s Appendix J regulations at the end of 1965 outlawed many of the special parts that had been homologated for competition use.

Although the Big Healey retained a separate chassis and body in traditional sports car ...