The best car from every dead car company

Story by Autocar

• 3w

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Times change, markets evolve and sometimes companies who rule the roost get a wheel stuck in a ditch and never recover.

AMC: Eagle (1980)

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Austin-Healey: 3000 (1959)

Autobianchi: A112 Abarth (1971)

Times change, markets evolve and sometimes companies who rule the roost get a wheel stuck in a ditch and never recover.

AMC: Eagle (1980)

Austin-Healey: 3000 (1959)

Autobianchi: A112 Abarth (1971)

Daimler: SP250/Dart (1959)

De Tomaso: Pantera (1971)

Austin-Healey: 3000 (1959)©Autocar

When it made its debut in 1959, the Austin-Healey 3000 stood out with a 3.0-liter engine and front disc brakes. The big Healey was a force to be reckoned with in European rallying events, but convertible-hungry buyers in North American scooped up most of the production run. It was one of the greatest British sports cars of its era, and it was continuously updated throughout the 1960s.

So what happened to Austin-Healey? The deal between Austin and Healey ended in 1972 after 20 years. There have been talks of a revival since, including under BMW’s ownership of Austin successor company Rover, but nothing has appeared. The name itself is now owned by China’s SAIC. PICTURE: Austin-Healey 3000 Mk3