Great restorations take effort, attention to detail and passion, but doing a job right takes time.
Over 1,000 hours and more than 12 years in the case of Anthony Cappelluti’s 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8 sports convertible.
The Austin-Healey 3000 represents the end of an era. Assembled on 25 June 1967, in Abingdon UK, it was one of the last before production of the 3000 ceased and Austin-Healey merged with Jaguar.
Cappelluti’s 3000 was imported to Australia, changed hands a couple of times before ending up in “The Healey Factory” in Melbourne (a classic sportscars specialist business), where Cappelluti found it.
“We went to The Healey Factory with a mate to look over it for him, intending for us to restore it. But once we pulled it apart and after abrasive blasting, we realised it would be a huge and costly project. I offered to buy it off him.”
As owner of CAPPA Motor Bodies in Naracoorte, SA, Cappelluti has been repairing and restoring vehicles for more than 30 years, and was determined to give the car a faithful, high-end restoration. But with family and a business to run, the project took a back seat.
“It sat in the shed for 10 years. I wanted it finished for our daughter’s graduation, then our son’s wedding, then our daughter’s wedding… We did work when we could.”
The car had previous but incomplete restoration work, a lot of further work was still needed, including the chassis. The 3000 is unique for its welded interior construction and aluminium body over steel chassis. A full ‘body off’ restoration required cutting sections and precision rewelding.
The panel restoration also needed special jigs, so Cappelluti relied on the experts at The Healey Factory while undertaking the bulk of the restoration back at CAPPA Motor Bodies.
“After it had been abrasive blasted, we used the RAPTOR 2K Epoxy Primer, which is a great base for applying filler over the top,” says Cappelluti.
“Restoration cars often sit around for a while, so they need something to stop moisture corrosion. The RAPTOR Epoxy is perfect, providing a good base for filler and nothing gets through to the steel.”
The CAPPA team opted for U-pol’s Dolphin Glaze Fine Filler.
“It would be a disservice to all that effort to not use the highest quality refinish products,” says Hayden Bennier, who worked on the car at CAPPA.
“Having the right products makes all the difference. U-pol’s Dolphin Premium was the only choice. It adheres great, it sands easily and smooth. We use it every day, have done for years now. It’s a no brainer for us.”
Cappelluti and the team finished the car with a classic Healey Blue over Ivory White two tone paint job and tan interiors.
As the best known of the ‘Big Healeys’ the 3000 Mark III BJ8 is highly sought after by collectors – Jerry Seinfeld has one in his famous collection. Restored 3000s can sell for over $100,000 in Australia. But Cappelluti is not about to sell.
“You’re never going to go into a restoration thinking you’ll make money out of it,” he says.
Instead, for Cappelluti, it’s about sharing the hard work and dedication that went into this meticulous restoration. As a registered historic vehicle, Cappelluti has driven his 3000 in the Bay to Birdwood, one of Australia’s premiere vintage car rallies, as well as photoshoots for the occasional wedding.
“It’s great taking people for drives with the top down and watching them enjoy a classic car that really doesn’t have any modern features.”
But mostly, Cappelluti enjoys spending time driving with his wife Sarah to wineries and enjoying the countryside, weather permitting. “It’s a car for nice weather, it’s a holiday car. A good time car.”
For further information on the products Cappelluti used contact the U-pol (Australia) technical support team on
(02) 4731 2655 or visit the website
www.u-pol.com.au