Austin Healey

The "Austin" Healey was made by Donald Healey.

Donald Healey was a "petrol head" of the purest sort and 1 of the distinguished names in British automobile and sports-car background.

Donald Healey

Donald Mitchell Healey was born in Cornwall (GB) in the year 1898. He had a really great experience for mechanics and he commenced an auto garage in Cornwall. Within the year 1930 he began a job as contest driver for Invicta. Donald Healey was a successful driver, after competing in three Alp rallies he was able to win the famed "Coupe des Alpes". Emphasize in his driving career was the success within the Monte Carlo Rally of 1931. A job was found by Donald Healey at Triumph as chief engineer after Invicta Motor Company closed down.

At Triumph Donald Healey was responsible for the growth of the brilliant Triumph Dolomite racing car, with eight-cylinder engine, that has been offered in 1934. Throughout his years at Triumph Donald Healey continued driving rallies. Within the year 1934 he finished third in the Monte Carlo Rally using a Triumph Gloria.

Donald Healey Motor Company

Following the 2nd world war Donald Healey chose to begin his own Motor business to built sportscars carrying his own name;

Donald Healey Motor Company.

Healey was able to launch a sound auto production. The cars featured bodywork and chassis created by Healey, mechanics were purchased from others. In the start Healey purchased the gearboxes, engines and back axles from Riley, afterwards Healey also used Nash and Alvis mechanics.

Between the years 1946 and 1950 these Healey automobiles found the light of day: Healey 2.4 Litre Westland Roadster, Healey 2.4 Litre Elliot Saloon and also the Healey 2.4 Litre SportsMobile.

The most renowned Healey motorcar was the Healey Silverstone. The Silverstone was a pure racing vehicle, a two seater with a complete aluminium body, cycle wings and a 2.4 litre Riley engine with two camshafts. Racing successes followed: in 1948 Count Lurani wins the Mille Miglia in his own course with a Healey and within to the circuit of Monthlery the year 1952 Tommy Wisdom breaks the world hour speed record with a Healey.

The arrival of the "Austin" Healey

Healey Motor Company was really going to reveal their new Healey 100 in the "Earls Court Motor Show"of 1952. Before the show opened Austin Motor Company found the car to the Healey stand. Austin Motor Company urgently needed a sports-car to get an adversary for the MG sports-cars and the brand-new Triumph TR 2 and the Jaguar XK 120.

Austin Motor Company director, Leonard Lord, recognized the car might be taken into production very shortly and saw the Healey 100 that was constructed around Austin mechanics.

In the "Earls Court Motor Show" the Healey 100 was the star

of the display.

Leonard Lord and Donald Healey came to an agreement on really brief notice and a couple weeks following the show the title

"Austin Healey" was born...

The Austin-healey 100 was created by Gerry Coker. Donald Healey built the vehicle with tons of Austin mechanics and the Austin A90 four-cylinder engine.

In the Healey factory in Warwick the first twenty pre-production vehicles were assembled. Within the year 1953 the production transferred to the Austin factory found in Longbridge. All bodies and chassis were made by Jensen.

The Austin-healey 100 BN - 1 was constructed between the years 1955 and 1953. The BN-1 was succeeded by the Austin-healey 100 BN-2 in the year 1955. The BN-1 highlighted a three-speed gearbox with overdrive on second and third gear. The BN-2 highlighted a four-speed gearbox with overdrive at the very best gear.

In time 1955 and 1956 two special Healey 100's followed: the 100M (production car changed to Le Mans specification) and the 100S that was a pure racing car with a complete

Aluminum body.

Within the year 1956 the 2.6 litre four cylinder engine was prohibited in favour of the 2.6 litre Austin Westminster six cylinder engine.

Furthermore the inside (two small seats were added within the rear) and also the grille transformed and also the Austin-healey 100/6 (BN4) "four seater"was born...

In April 1958 the "two seater" version of the 100/6 was launched (BN-6) because the "four seater" composition of the 100/6 was much less popular as the plan of the "two seater" 100 models. Following the 100/6 was launched the old four-cylinder "100" was named 100/4 from the people. The factory never used the title 100/4.

In March 1959 the Austin-healey 3000 was launched. The

3000 is also called the "Big Healey". The 3000 is a progression of the 100/6 version. The motor was offered a bigger cylinder capacity of 2912 cc. and the 3000 was fitted with disc brakes in the front wheels. This first Austin-healey 3000 is now called the 3000 MK I version.

In 1961 the 3000 MK I had been succeeded by the 3000 MK II. This version was fitted with three S.U. carburettors rather than 2 which raised the motor power (and thirst).

Januari 1962 saw the launch of the Austin-healey 3000

MK IIa (BJ7). The Austin-healey 3000 MK IIa was fitted with two (bigger) carburettors again, which were better to synchronize. The engine capacity remained the same.

The Austin Healey 3000 MK IIa was the first Austin Healey with roll- up windows.

In March 1962 the amazing MK II "two seater" was taken from production and in June 1962 the MK II"four seater" was taken from production. The Austin-healey MK IIa is a 2 2 "convertible". The vehicle got two miniature seats within the rear plus a soft-top set to the vehicle. The hood easily folds back in the back of the passenger compartment. With the windows the hood provides much convenience useful for the Austin-healey 3000.

The former Healey models were more Spartan and featured completely detachable soft-tops with different side displays which might be stowed away within the booth.

In October 1963 the Austin-healey 3000 MK III was launched. The MK III was similar to the MK IIa simply available as 2 2 convertible model. The motor was fitted with a brand new camshaft and other valve coilsprings. Furthermore two bigger 2-inch S.U. HD-8 carburettors were fitted. Other modifications were appropriate to the inside, the dash was redesigned completely plus a centre console was added. The rest of the rear seats might be folded forward to be utilized for a ground to pack bag on. Another change was the deletion of the "start menu", the 3000 MK III fired up just utilizing the starter key.

In-may 1964 the Austin-healey 3000 MK III was altered on several particulars which triggered the "phase 1" version. The chassis was altered to provide the back axle more vertical space as a way to improve driving comfort. The leaf-spring bundle was counted and uprated six leafs. The disk brakes were changed and also the flasher/ focus lamps in front were enlarged.

In March 1965 the final alterations are completed. This version is the 3000 MK III phase 2. Now the lamps in the back will also be enlarged to fit the lamps in the very front part of the auto.

The past complete year of creation is 1967. 3051 Austin-healey MK III phase 2 versions were created that year. All the vehicles within the final production run (November / December 1967) were painted metallic gold beige with a black . carpet leatherette interior and black. The seats were trimmed with chrome "piping". The picture hereby shows a completely restored 1967 "Golden" Healey 3000 MK III phase 2.

In 1968 the curtain falls for the "Big Healey". In March 1968 just one right-hand drive Austin-healey 3000 MK III phase 2 was assembled. We're interested for whom the automobile was assembled for...

Nowadays the Austin-healey is really one of the very popular classic cars. The exceptional seems, the smoothness, the sound and also the notable cast-iron engines reach the hearts of several enthusiast beat louder and quicker...