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

[Roger Dowding]

Roger,
I think you and many others will enjoy this site.

http://www.oldirish.com/collection/healey.html

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Ken H

Ken H, Yes indeed, run by my Mate from [ back in 1982 Salem,] Oregon - Jerry Luidahl, who now lives still in Oregon, but is currently on holiday in Hawaii. Jerry has built a Garage /Man Cave for his model collection and real cars which includes a couple of Classic Jaguars..
When we first met he owned a Healey 100, which he took to Snowmass for the 30th Anniversary of the Austin Healey - the whole reason for the trip that BMC BOY and I did, together with other Kiwi's 10 in all from NZ [ one who was staying in BC Canada at the time and two others who were on their way back from Europe.

Jerry is currently modifying a Healey 100 1;43 scale model to be a replica of the Les McLaren - Bruce McLaren car that is still in New Zealand. In fact " Oldfart " posted a picture of the real car on these pages from the Lumsden Hill Climb in 2017.

The real car as it is now ; Rhys' photo.

Now to find Jerry's model .. from his " Old Irish Racing " site ;

The story - information from Mark Donaldson [ Jan McLaren's husband ] and others as provided to Jerry.

" 1953 100 BN1: Built on October 9., 1953, this 100 (BN1) was one of three Carmine Red AH 100's shipped to New Zealand to take part in the 1954 New Zealand Grand Prix (NZGP) as part of a publicity campaign for the new Austin Healey. It was campaigned by Auckland Austin distributor Seabrook Fowlds and driven by Ross Jensen, one of New Zealand's best racing drivers in the day. After the race, the car was offered for sale and purchased by Les McLaren, father of Bruce McLaren; and subsequently stripped down and modified (Le Mans kit?). Raced by the senior McLaren in the 1955 NZGP, he exited the race early due to transmission trouble. Ready for the 1956 NZGP, Les McLaren took ill just before the race and a substitute driver had to be found on short notice. With no one else available, young Bruce was given his opportunity to debut as a driver; albeit on a pretty large stage against formidable drivers like Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss. Not the last time he would face them on track! Bruce was in 3rd place when a gasket blew and ended his race. He would continue to run the 100 in local NZ races and hill climbs with great success and establishing himself as a promising future racing star. In 1957, a connecting rod broke and exited the block, ending the car's career in McLaren's hands. The rest they say, is history!
Model by OXFORD (modified) 1/43 "

End of the History - the story so far.

Cheers
Ken H ..

[Roger Dowding]

The McLaren Healey . not this one - but it was a Seabrook Fowlds car - like Ross Jensen's first AH 100 and his 100S ..

Win Bristow sketch from Ardmore around 1956 ..The Healey's being worked on in the Pits ..

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H - mentioned the " Old Irish Racing " site - and a collection of Austin Healey models Diecasts and Resin - the Owner of the site Jerry Liudahl - whom I met, as mentioned in the USA in 1982 - is also into Kitsets and even has a few tinplates.

Here is Jerry's making of the Revell Kit around 50 years ago ..
** Jerry based the colour scheme and details on a car he knew of at the time.
I thought it looked a bit like Richard " Dick on Wheels " Mayor from Portland Oregon -met him in 1982 in Oregon and saw him Race at Portland International Raceway - PIR - in August 1988.
- Raced by - quote from Jerry -" Way before Dick Mayor Its Monte Shelton's car. "

Dick Mayors car at Portland - [ posted before ].
The Green BJ8 following is also a well known Pacific North West Car

Meanwhile in 2020 in Auckland another modeler has got this far with his recent purchase of the 50 year old kitset by Revell.

Thanks to Jerry and Nic Butterworth for the images .. Chaindrive knows who Nic is ..

[Roger Dowding]

July 1961 issue of Australian magazine - Sports Car World had a Road Test of this Austin Healey 3000.
Big Healeys were hard to obtain in Australia at the time - protection of local manufacture or assembly.
The car came from Cambodia - owned by e member of the Cambodian Embassy - It is Left Hand Drive and carries Australian Dilpomatic Number Plates

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Magazine provided by BMC BOY - who sent me a box of magazines mainly Australian with quite a few early 1960's SCW issues. - the box of magazines above ..

The cover - think Milan posted a copy of this in a previous post - this one has a glass [ beer perhaps ] mark on it

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Contents Page and part of the article

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The Specifications and Road Test details

[Ray Bell]

Roger, I don't know why there would have been difficulty obtaining a Healey in Australia at that time...

The only kind of protection in place for the car industry was a sliding scale of import duties and sales tax. These were compounding, so once the duty was calculated the sales tax was applied to that as well, the total could go as high as 84% from memory. That made a fully imported car a lot dearer than one with Australian content, and the percentage of Australian content was the factor which set the level of sales tax.

So a car might have been brought in as a CKD package and then assembled at a plant here, the tyres were made here, the seats trimmed here perhaps and it might use locally-made electrical parts. Then they might calculate that the Aussie content was, say, 50%. So that would have a sales tax percentage levied at a higher rate than a Holden, for instance, which was 98% Australian made.

Falcons were also about the 98% Australian made. And on the BMC side a number of cars would have been... Minis, Majors, Lancers, A60s, Oxfords, later the Freeway and 1100. They were able to compete fairly well.

A good example was the Chrysler Royal versus the Dodge Phoenix. More or less the same mechanical package, but the Dodges were CKD and the Royals were pressed here. The Royals sold for something like £1,750 and the Phoenix was around £2,700, much of the difference being in tax. And even that was allowing for Canadian manufacture of a lot of the Phoenix parts. Cars from other Commonwealth countries had Import duty advantages.

I don't know if the Healeys had any local content, they probably did. But as these considerations were the only ones of the time, there should have been no impediment to anyone walking into a BMC dealer and ordering a Healey.

The other thing was the (famous in Australia) Credit Squeeze bunged on by the Federal Government about the time that magazine came out. It led to everything taking a nosedive in the second half of that year and into 1962. Lots of small businesses closed down over that. But that wouldn't stop people from ordering a Healey unless they were marginal buyers.

Later on there were other restrictions imposed. Some leniency came into the duty and sales tax levels, but they introduced limits on car types to be assembled here or imported. This was in the early '80s and it led to all sorts of odd stuff. British Leyland had been selling a fair number of Dolomite Sprints and they went out of production. Peugeot needed someone to take over the assembly of the 505 - a sedan of around 2-litres - and because of the Dolomite sales British Leyland had a quota they could fill. So they took over the assembly and distribution.

But all of that is after the death of the Healeys so isn't relevant.

[Roger Dowding]

Ray thanks for the detail,
So it would be cost rather than restrictions ! like we had in NZ - New Car you had to have about 25% of the cost in Overseas Funds or go on a long waiting list.
I know Sprites were plentiful is Australia early mid 1960's as they were assembled from CKD kits.

It seemed strange that the article talks about the 3000 Road Test as a
" Ride in Australia's only Austin - Healey 3000, with Hardtop comfort as well " on July 1961 - when they had been released in 1959. Maybe they are referring to the Hardtop which had been available on the 100 Six and was identical.

Seems my scan didn't all attach - so trying again.

BMC BOY has a 1959 model that was New Zealand New

Hope these all attach ..
Cheers and thanks for your " inputs " keeping me on the right path..

[Ray Bell]

I wonder if the lack of 3000s on the road in Australia in 1960/61 was because they had stocks of unsold 100/6s?

I could picture that. Buyers would know the 3000 was out and would wait for it, the 100/6s would remain unsold and so no 3000s would be brought in until they were.

If I had been a new buyer I don't think any amount of money off the price of a new 100/6 would prevent me waiting for a 3000.

[Roger Dowding]

I wonder if the lack of 3000s on the road in Australia in 1960/61 was because they had stocks of unsold 100/6s?

I could picture that. Buyers would know the 3000 was out and would wait for it, the 100/6s would remain unsold and so no 3000s would be brought in until they were.

If I had been a new buyer I don't think any amount of money off the price of a new 100/6 would prevent me waiting for a 3000.

Ray Bell,

I agree, even a 100 Six with the better manifolds BN6 and a bit of work, wait for a 3000 .. 2 seater BN7 .. not a 4 seater
[2 + 2 = 2 kids ] BT7 - although they made many more of them, until by 1961 all 3000's were 2 +2 kids ..

Hope to get to Lakeside in May 2020,- back in SE Qld for a couple of weeks, trying to get to Lakeside for an event.. Are you likely to be up that way ??

Cheers

Roger

[Ray Bell]

Impossible if it's a weekend...

Otherwise we might work something out.

[Roger Dowding]

Impossible if it's a weekend...

Otherwise we might work something out.

We will indeed - they seem to have lots of Club Stuff during the week..

[Roger Dowding]

Sent to me by Ken Hyndman The Sept-Oct 1959 issue of Sportscar Graphic- and I just happen to have the 1961 SCG Road Test of a later model - in a Magazine from BMC BOY. the 1961 -62 cars were the Tri-carb. BMC BOY owns a 1959 AH 3000 too

The Ken H article ;

Always thought the Magazine was Sports Car Graphic - not Sportscar Graphic now corrected in the Title.

[Ray Bell]

Did you know that the first pole position at Warwick Farm was held by a Healey?

And that the 100/4 in question was the first car to complete a racing lap at that circuit?

Also the first car to set a lap record and the second car to break a lap record?

[Roger Dowding]

Did you know that the first pole position at Warwick Farm was held by a Healey?

And that the 100/4 in question was the first car to complete a racing lap at that circuit?

Also the first car to set a lap record and the second car to break a lap record?

Ray I did not, Thanks for the " input " some bragging rights I think
Cheers

[Roger Dowding]

A herd of 100's [ and 000's ].. picture/photo from the " Healey Museum " archives.
The first car is well known in AH circles as a display car not as a Racer ..

and from Paul O'Neill this piece from a Magazine on the 100S. They made 55 of them 50 " Customer " cars and
5 DMHC " Works Cars ".
** adding first page just found

[Roger Dowding]

AHS3501 - the car sold new to Briggs Cunningham by Austin New York.
Have recently come across some details and photos of the car when owned by Robert Wittke - the photos from Brent Wittke his grandson. Robert would appear to be the cars second owner 1956 on.

The car and other 100S on Transporters at " The Cape ".

Some Regalia that Brent has from his grandfathers archives - Programme / Report from Buchanan Field Races 1955-56 and plaques from the car.

Photos of the car at various meetings

First from the Buchanan Field Story July 1956.

The car in other Races - with Robert Wittke
[ Car race #45 [ update April 2022] is fully restored and still in the USA - it features in some photos later in this thread. ]

The car with other 100S -location not stated.

Some of the photos are small.
Thanks to Brent Wittke - for letting me " borrow " them.

AHS3501 is the first Chassis built, although AHS3502 - AHS3507 were all despatched in the week 7th February 1955, All except AHS3503 went to Austin New York - the other car to Austin Canada.

and 305035 - is the views on this thread - when I logged in today

[Ray Bell]

Some to be seen in these newly-uncovered sports car racing photos:

https://forums.autosport.com/topic/2146 ... try9019145

[Ray Bell]

I was told this morning that only six 3000s were 'officially' imported into Australia...

By the time the 3000 came out, BMC's Zetland plant was seriously into total car production and wanted to promote its Australian-made cars and CKD assembly cars to the full. At that time it included the A60s, 15/60s, Oxfords, MGAs, Sprites, Morris Major, Austin Lancer and Morris Minor.

Later many were privately imported. I guess it's possible that some came from New Zealand.

[Roger Dowding]

Some to be seen in these newly-uncovered sports car racing photos:

https://forums.autosport.com/topic/2146 ... try9019145

Ray Bell, had a look at the Autosport Site from the link - saw a couple of your posts - tried to join and got something wrong - great photo's - will try to get the log-in / joining correct.

Have a bit more detail on the Cunningham AH 100 when Robert Wittke owned it - will add to the post.
Still working on -
- the "Ward Special 100 " story
and the
- Brett Young " faminz " Sprite restoration.

Lots of thing to do - so little time !

[Roger Dowding]

AHS3501 - the car sold new to Briggs Cunningham by Austin New York.
Have recently come across some details and photos of the car when owned by Robert Wittke - the photos from Brent Wittke his grandson. Robert would appear to be the cars second owner 1956 on.

The car and other 100S on Transporters at " The Cape ".

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Some Regalia that Brent has from his grandfathers archives - Programme / Report from Buchanan Field Races 1955-56 and plaques form the car.

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Photos of the car at various meetings

First from the Buchanan Field Story July 1956.

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The car in other Races - with Robert Wittke

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The car with other 100S -location not stated.

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Some of the photos are small.
Thanks to Brent Wittke - for letting me " borrow " them.

AHS3501 is the first Chassis built, although AHS3502 - AHS3507 were all despatched in the week 7th February 1955, All except AHS3503 went to Austin New York - the other car to Austin Canada.

and 305035 - is the views on this thread - when I logged in today

Details of Race numbers for the 100S .. - from Brent Wittke's archives

" This is what I have:
Cumberland ‘55 #38
Thompson ‘55 #72
Watkins Glen ‘56 #24
Pebble Beach ‘56 #106
Buchanan ‘56 #51
If he did do Buchanan in ‘55 he most likely was in his Cooper 500.

Yet the photo with #51 is out of the Buchanan Field 55/56 - programme / report and the car is being used for showing what the tech inspection - scrutineerers have to look at / for.

More questions ??

[Roger Dowding]

This from the story written by Peter Linn - the owner of the car at the time - around 2016.

" Chassis: 1955 Austin Healey 100/4 BN1
Chassis no. BN1/222490 (no plates, given Victorian Police ID no. V702189P)
Engine no. H1B/222490-M
Body no. 7491
Gearbox no. 2134
O/D no. 28/1292/6989
Worked 2.6 litre (?) motor, twin side-draft 1 3/4” SU carbs on fabricated manifold, heat-proofed exhaust manifold, Flex fan, alternator conversion.
Custom radiator (20 litre capacity cooling system)
3-speed BN1 gearbox rebuilt by John Needham, 28% overdrive, custom centre-change linkage
Koni adjustable shock absorbers all round
Custom alloy fuel tank
3.54 diff
Front Alfin-style drums, drilled for cooling
72 spoke Dayton chrome wire wheels
100S style front seats, 2+2 conversion, wood-rim steering wheel
Electric windows (!)
Full dash inc. 140mph speedo, tacho, oil pressure and water temperature gauges, ammeter, vacuum gauge, fuel gauge, clock ".

The car with the " Ausca " body as in the story below;

Early history of the car up to the fitting of the "Ausca " - Maserati A6GCS/53 style body

" The following history has been pieced together from information provided by the Healey Factory, and from conversations with most of the previous owners – Clive Millis, Lindsay Hughes, Peter Marshell, John Best and Peter Rowland – and with Sid Ward’s son Andrew. Iain McPherson knows the car well as in the early ‘70’s the then owner worked close by to Iain’s work. Iain has been able to fill in many details. Iain still owns a BN2 with an Ausca body, amongst other classic cars and historic racers. Clive Millis, the next owner, reports that the car was extensively damaged within months of delivery in a street racing accident at a place known as “Death Dip” on the Hume Highway at Craigieburn North of Melbourne. Clive says the damage was such that the car could have gone “end over end”. He bought the wreck as an insurance write-off (although the Vicroads records don’t show this event), straightened the chassis and fitted an Ausca fibreglass body, which was a direct copy of a Maserati A6GCS/53. The Ausca bodies were built by Paul England who worked for Repco. Only seven bodies were made, which were mostly fitted to Healeys, MGAs and Triumph TRs that were raced in the early ‘60’s by the likes of Haig Hurst, Bruce McLaren and Jim Madden. Clive Millis was in a car repair business with Lindsay Hughes, and went on to race in two Australian Grands Prix – 1970 and 1971 – in an Elfin 600B Ford. Paul England still runs Paul England and staff at Essendon, Melbourne.
With the Ausca body (see photo) Clive registered the car GTV 116 in January 1959 "

When I saw the car in Queensland in 2016 at the Austin Healey Owners Club of Queensland "Show and Shine at Scarborough, Brisbane.
It sported the number plate GTV 16 [not GTV 116 as in Victoria ].

The story board at the time ;

More to come on this story [ some photos posted before - most are new ] - the building of the Ward body and the car as it looks in recent years.

Full details of the story are on a link - will attach at the end of the story in a future post.