Austin-HealeyÂ’s and the Austin Healey Car Club of NZ and Others

[Ray Bell]

In most cases I'd say the slant 6 was a poor choice... heavier than the original engine...

But in this case it would be just a few pounds lighter.

But sadly undersquare. And I'd hate to be changing the plugs or doing the timing. A Hemi 6 would have been a better choice.

[Roger Dowding]

In most cases I'd say the slant 6 was a poor choice... heavier than the original engine...

But in this case it would be just a few pounds lighter.

But sadly undersquare. And I'd hate to be changing the plugs or doing the timing. A Hemi 6 would have been a better choice.

If that is the ex Bernie Huynen car [ RIP Bernie Huynen ]- it has had a Valiant motor in it since the 1970's - was going to be repowered with a V8 but Compliance was an issue so a newer Valiant Motor went back in.
Have forgotten what the original Valiant engine was [ Slant or Hemi ] must delve into my archives ..

The car under Bernie's ownership features in the thread.

Milan - Thanks for those photos - I saw the #76 car at " Caffeine and Classics " in January..the ex Andrew Shrimpton car - Andrew did the rebuild and made it a Race /Rally Replica.
Understand the new owner Ross !! is selling it again after only a few months - well less than 12 months I think.

[Ray Bell]

He wouldn't have gone backwards from a Hemi 6 to a slant...

A 245 Hemi would be about the same as a 4-litre Rolls, but with the overhead exhaust valves already a part of the deal.

[Roger Dowding]

He wouldn't have gone backwards from a Hemi 6 to a slant...

A 245 Hemi would be about the same as a 4-litre Rolls, but with the overhead exhaust valves already a part of the deal.

Ray Bell,Can't find any engine photos of the ex Bernie Huynen car and in my photos the Rego is unclear so can't even do a " Carjam " search .. I may have to post the Valiant Healey picture on the AHCCNZ Fb page or website - someone will know.

** Just looked at the other Photos and BMC BOY's early 3000 is there - with its boot rack refitted and can see the Centrelock Alloy Wheels - he may well know !!

Can you confirm - the Slant SIX was the 225 ci, then came the Hemi in 245 ci and later 265 ci ?
Had a 225 in my Dodge Ambulance - ex- St John that I was going to turn into a Camper - did take it away and sleep in it, but lost interest as too slow, not a Sports Car - one of many projects that include an Austin Hire Car FL1 - 1950/51 model with the A70 Motor, a Sunbeam Talbot [ 1952 model I think ] The Dodge- sold the Dodge and bought a second car for my wife - another Sports Car - A Sprite ..

[Roger Dowding]

The Car is the - ex Bernie Huynen car -
Was running the Valiant motor in 1984 at the Napier Rally and I saw it again at Masterton in 1989

- this from Ross Cammick " BMC BOY"

" Yes this is Bernie’s old car.
He part traded it to Phillip Mules for his green BT7 race car. Phillip fitted a Chev V8 and auto into it, but couldn’t get it complied as it was supposed to have the sloper Valiant 6.
So he sold it to Grant McKenzie up in Whangarei and he has rebuilt it with a new Kilmartin Chassis and new sloper engine etc.
I haven’t seen the car as yet, but hope he comes to the Brit Euro on March 3rd. He always makes a superb job of his cars. "

So being a ' sloper ' - slant 6 - would be a 225 ci [ 3686 cc ] unless modified, I understand the " slant 6 " motor was used because of the height available in a Healey - also lighter and bigger capacity. The 3000 was 2912 cc

The Valiant Healey - Milans photo

When Bernie had it - this in Masterton in 1989 - posted before ;

Ross further says " Not my car at Ellerslie Concours – it must have been Brenton Lee’s 100/6 it looks similar. "

Milan's photo with Brenton Lees car - Brenton has had it a long time -

It and Brenton were at Chelsea Walsh - in 2017 spectating,arrived as I was leaving - Ray Green photo

Now to find out who the others cars are ??

Ross hopes to get to the Brit - Euro, so may get more photos.

The BT7 [ Reg plate # BT7 ] that Ross mentions has featured on this thread - Raced by Phillip Mules at Hamilton Telecom Classic in 1994 and some more recent photos of Bernie with it in 2017- before he passed away.
The Car was For Sale - in 2017.

Thanks again Milan for the photos.

Milan -your question have I seen the 1988/89 AH Australia Year Book - the answer is No I haven't - thanks for showing that too !!

[Milan Fistonic]

Here's another shot of "100 SIX"

[Roger Dowding]

Thanks Milan - I knew the owner Brenton Lee back in the early 1980's [ 1983 ] was a neighbour of my Girlfriends best Friend ..all must have been OK as the "Girlfriend " is now and has been since 1984 my wife.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Roger Dowding
.....Can you confirm - the Slant SIX was the 225 ci, then came the Hemi in 245 ci and later 265 ci ?
Had a 225 in my Dodge Ambulance - ex- St John that I was going to turn into a Camper - did take it away and sleep in it, but lost interest as too slow, not a Sports Car.....

Hmmm...

A coincidence there, I also bought a Dodge ambulance to turn into a camper. That's been forgotten now I've got my B350 van, of course.

Yes, the slant was a 225, though they also sold them as 170 and 192ci versions in the US. The Hemi-6 was vertical and came in the 245ci version first, with a lousy 215 'poverty' version offered and the 265 coming a bit later. They were a much lighter engine.

And I think no higher. The slant, amazingly, is actually taller than it would be if it wasn't slanted. It's on a 30° tilt and so one side of the head is still pretty high at that angle. I was captivated by this thought when I looked closely at the Peugeot 404 engine, which is on a 45° lean. The head is a little lower than it might have been if vertical, but the carby comes out on the top side and so (just like the Valiant engine) it sticks up higher than everything else.

Of course that's all negated with the Webers on this car.

There are websites offering different opinions, but you can't beat the tape measures when you check it out properly. The real reason for the slant is that it gave more room for nice even-flowing inlet manifolds while still allowing for things like brake boosters in LHD models. Of course, in RHD these things were disasters. Not that getting to the plugs and distributor didn't skin knuckles on the Yankee versions.

Similarly, the Peugeot 404 would have been a wonderfully accessible bit of gear in LHD, steering, gear linkages, master cylinder, battery, clutch linkages, oil filter, distributor and fuel pump all placed in that great chasm when a vertical engine would take up space. Only the exhaust manifold on the underside. All spoiled with the conversion to RHD.

[Alan Hyndman]

The BT7 [ Reg plate # BT7 ] that Ross mentions has featured on this thread - Raced by Phillip Mules at Hamilton Telecom Classic in 1994 and some more recent photos of Bernie with it in 2017- before he passed away.
The Car was For Sale - in 2017.

"BT7" is still for sale but isn't being actively advertised due to fatigue from too many test pilots and low ball offers!

[Roger Dowding]

Ray Bell ;

Re ; " Hmmm...

A coincidence there, I also bought a Dodge ambulance to turn into a camper. "

Thanks for the " Valiant " engine details - I had forgotten [ or didn't really know ] about the smaller capacity slant Six engines.

As mentioned hope that BMC BOY posts some photos of the Valiant Healey - if it gets to the " Brit - Euro Show " in East Auckland.
Looyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga 3rd March 2019

I won't be there as back in the Bay by then ;

Here are some details on this link ;

" https://www.briteurocarshow.nz/ "

Yours Truly could be a bit quiet for the next two weeks as after the weekend in Chatswood, Auckjland off the Waiheke Island to the " Family Cottage " - Grandma's House form 1947 to 1980, and stillin the Family..
On a Data stick so not much capacity -

Will leave you though with a Healey photo :

Posted a few times before -must try to drive safely on the trip!!

[Milan Fistonic]

From a booklet celebrating 25 years of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races.

[Milan Fistonic]

From a magazine titled New Book of Motorsports published in 1975 or '76. Don't know who or where except that it is from Australia.

[Ray Bell]

Having checked with Carol, I've confirmed that this is "Erg's Friend"...

A very early appearance of Peter Hopwood at Amaroo Park, he doesn't look too fazed about locking it all up heading into Honda Corner.

[Ray Bell]

Which leads me to wonder if the picture I posted earlier...



...is actually 'Erg' with numberplates removed.

[Roger Dowding]

From a booklet celebrating 25 years of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]60610[/ATTACH]

Thanks Milan a great photo - sat there for much of the 3 days we were there in 1982 for the Ninth Historics - this would be just a Sports Car Race - with current racers .. captions says " for more than 30 years ". was 36 and a few months since I was there ..

[Roger Dowding]

A great gathering of cars by all reports and quite a good group of Austin Healey's.

Here are a selection - from John Vevers [ an Austin 3 Litre and BMC Man ] as well as the Brit Euro's own photographer. " Classic Driver Magazine " were there too !! have to find their photos..

Russell Ness - 3000 Rally Replica - built up by Andrew Shrimpton a few years ago [ Car was / is ? for sale at Caffeine and Classics - a weekend ago ]
Think the Valiant Healey at the other end of the line

Brit Euro pic

Brenton Lee 100 SIX and some 3000's might be BMC BOY's BN7 at the other end ?? must check. John Vevers photo.

A 100 SIX

Carjam tells us this
" Year: 1957
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: Blue
Second Colour: White
Body Style: Saloon
Plate: AS1250
Engine No: 30245
Chassis: RN4030245 "
Chassis would be BN4 not RN4, 100 SIX were BN4 and BN6 designation - later cars having a better cylinder head and inlet manifolds ..
Brit Euro pic

3000 - [ My Bad it is a 100 SIX - see below ]

" Year: 1959
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: Blue
Second Colour: Cream
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate: BREEZI
Engine No: 26DRH58125
Chassis: BN4L058125 "
a left hand drive car when built ..as noted here
" Plates History

Plate Effective Date
BREEZI 11-Mar-1994
PM7025 31-Oct-1990
Registration

Registration Status: Get Full CarJam Report
Plate: BREEZI
Plate Type: Personalised
Origin: Import from USA
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: Used
NZ First Registration: 31-Oct-1990
NZ Last Registration: Get Full CarJam Report
Was Registered Overseas? Yes
Registered previously in: USA
First Overseas Registration: 1959 "
Brit Euro pic

Not the Brit & Euro but the " Intermarque Concours " a week or two ago - the Valiant Healey - Mark Donaldson photo - supplied by Allan Horner, who races a Sprite in the " Classic trial"series at Hampton Downs and Pukekohe.
Allan is having a tough time at the moment with his health. I wish him well.
Car was recently restored by Grant Mackenzie, after the attempt a few years ago by Phil Mules to put a V8 in it.
Phil lives on the Gold Coast - or did back in 2017 when we were last in contact.

[ERC]

Otaua Hillclimb this Sunday, also organised by the MGCC - VCC invited, so I might just amble down early. Well done to Darryl of the MGCC and his team for both events.

[Roger Dowding]

Otaua Hillclimb this Sunday, also organised by the MGCC - VCC invited, so I might just amble down early. Well done to Darryl of the MGCC and his team for both events.

ERC thanks for putting that on this thread, great that MGCC have continued the event since 1990.
Will be good to have more Historic / Classic / Vintage cars at the event with the VCC being invited.
On this Road :

Enjoy the day .. hopefully the " Long Drop " is in place half way up the Hill on the left - Reg " of Waiuku " - Reg Whittaker used to organise that for the Austin Healey Car Club. Last saw Reg in November 2017 at Chelsea Walsh - what is now known as the last running of that event

Chris Watson in his TR5 passing the " Long Drop " 1985 !!..

Unfortunate clash of events as is my Wedding Anniversary .. maybe 2020 will work !!.

[Roger Dowding]

" Unfortunate clash of events as is my Wedding Anniversary .. maybe 2020 will work !!. "

Bought Flowers and a nice small bottle of wine .. still will be at home .. so ..

Otaua tomorrow 10 March 2019 .. the MGCC event.
An Austin Healey on that Hill at Otaua - Phil Mules back in the 1980's with a scenic background ..
This was the first corner just after the downhill start - great for older cars which are now very old .. as another 30 years on !!

Ray [ ERC ] Green, is it still like this ..??

Cheers

[Roger Dowding]

An AH 100 back in the 1980's mine - Old head Green, New head Red .. ID 9873 which became LX 100

The car had a bit of Chrome in the engine compartment - as did my Sprite owned in the mid 1970's.