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

[Roger Dowding]

The last two photos [ so far ] of OON441

Another photo of AHS3810 - at the start of the 12 hour Race in 1956 Car Race #1, A night / evening start, for a Daytime finish.

[Roger Dowding]

Entry Lists for the " Sports Car Race " at Wigram - 1959 to 1963.
Austin Healey - the AH 100 and 100S feature including an I G Johnstone in a 100 - 4 cylinder, along with the Fred Losee - E Joss Tims 100S, the Seabrook Jensen Pierce 100S and some others.

1959;

1960; Tims in a 100 before he got the Fred Losee 100S AHS3802

1961; Tims in the ex Fred Losee 100S

1962;

1963; E D Candy in the recently acquired - ex Geoff Mardon 100, that became the Healey Corvette when owned by Arthur Kennard - Corvette engine and other mods done in 1957

[Ray Bell]

I'm amazed that anyone would put the 4-litre truck engine into a Healey...

It was heavy enough in 2.6-litre 4-cylinder form, but as a six it must have been awfully bulky as well as impossibly heavy.

[Roger Dowding]

I'm amazed that anyone would put the 4-litre truck engine into a Healey...

It was heavy enough in 2.6-litre 4-cylinder form, but as a six it must have been awfully bulky as well as impossibly heavy.

Totally agree,

A photo of the two engines has appeared on this thread - Here it is again - from the copy I posted for you Ray ..

The Ruddspeed and the burnt-out A95 - when Gavin and Myles Hicks first got the Cars about 20 years ago. - must go back and check on the story.
The McLaughlin Brothers were often both running a Healey, one the Ruddspeed 3000-/4000, and the other a Sprite

The " Ruddspeed " 3 litre Engine went into the Austin A95 which got burnt out

More to come on these cars, restoration is continuing as mentioned

[Roger Dowding]

A couple more Austin Healeys from the archives of Dominic O'Donnell.

One " Big ",

One - small and Spritely,

One - non Austin - Healey,

and One AH with another " A " and MG-A.

Wonder if they are still around today.

Will find and add Drivers names later.

[Roger Dowding]

Maybe you need the thread title changed Roger - Austin Healeys! There's enough material around to keep it going. I'm sure Steve could manage that for you - though he is busy.

ERC wrote this back on 17th March 2016.
We did get the title changed and the Thread lives on with over 800,000 views - long to catch up with ERC's " Mix of Picks " at over 2 Million.

In Australia at the moment in the place where the thread was created - " Bribie Island " - in 2015.

Going up to see the Guy in this picture from the AHOCQ [ AH Owners Club Queensland ] Show and Shine.

Posting again - brother in law Clive [ in Yellow cap ] was my companion at Lakeside too !! 2011 - 2016.

[Roger Dowding]

Have seen many of these style of drawings and " Classiccarportraits " have a whole series of English Cars from Austin Healey to Triumph and many others.

Came across these recently - a set of three Austin Healey cars - there was a set of Triumph cars too ! a TR4, TR5 and TR6.

Here A H 100 in Hardtop/ Coupe guise and Soft top guise and a 100 SIX.

AH 100 Coupe

AH 100 M - top down

AH 100 SIX 100/6

A set of the " Classiccarportraits ".

AH 100. BN1

AH 100 M BN2

AH 100 SIX 100/6

[Roger Dowding]

Recent photos of the car AHS3601 R - recreation of the first 100S despatched in late 1955, to arrive in New Zealand in early 1956.
The 11th car in the production range that started with AHS3501 - the Briggs Cunningham car.

Photos taken at Highlands Park Motor Museum and Race Track. - kindly sent to me by Alister Rayner - the current owner.

The Original AHS3601 outside Vickery Motors in 1956.

Image in the booklet produced by Derek Mayor - the owner of AHS3601 R in the early 2000's in the UK.

[Roger Dowding]

AN5L758 is a very early car and back in 1978 was thought to be the Oldest in existence
- It was in daily use at that time when [ Tony ] Anthony van de Water owned it having bought it in 1973.
Tony still owns it, and today, he sent me a set of pictures of it being restored and as it now looks.

It has a few modifications - the wider wheels, the single bar Roll bar among them.
The car being an early one has a simpler chassis especially around the radiator and front wheel area.
Early cars also had the row of studs to fit the front of the soft top - later changed as was not waterproof especially when windy or driving fast !!
Great to see the original features retained.

A couple of photos during restoration - largely finished - painted but no components installed.

The car as finished recently.

The car at Ardmore in January 1989 the " Reunion " The - " Classic Motor Races ". It is in the second row.
In good company with Mark Donaldson BN2, 100 which he still owns and the late Steve Hill in his Red AN5. - my own photo.

Car did appear during the " 50th Anniversary Grand Tour " at Nelson / Blenheim, near where Tony lives in April 2023.

Details of the Car from Carjam - I had forgotten it had the LHD symbol in the Chassis Number AN5L758

" Year: 1958
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALY
Colour: WHITE
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate:ⓘ BS4308
Engine No:ⓘ N/A
Chassis:ⓘ AN5L758
CC rating:ⓘ 1,000cc (1.0l)
Fuel Type:ⓘ Petrol "

Car has been in NZ since 1962. although it says Registered Previously Overseas " No " it was somewhere, USA or Europe.

" Plate:ⓘ BS4308
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: New
NZ First Registration: 29-Oct-1962
NZ Last Registration: Get Report
Was Registered Overseas? No "

Think this is when Tony purchased the Car in 1973.
" 1973-Sep-06 As at Change of Owner
13 /day
- Odometer reading Miles - 81,423 "

[Roger Dowding]

42 years a group of Kiwi's headed off in mid July for Los Angeles
- we were a group of 5 leaving from Auckland, one was a Wellington guy, who flew up to Auckland to travel together.
At the same time another pair left from Auckland separately and another couple AHCCNZ members were returning from Europe. Another of the 10 Kiwi's at the event was already in BC Canada ready for the Big Drive.

Photos of the event, images of maps of journeys, articles from the Booklet issued after the event have appeared on these pages.
Many of the attendees, including American Australian Canadian and English are still in touch - through various Austin Healey groups and privately.

Checking through my archives, I came across an Email - with photo's that I had forgotten about.
The photo is from 2014, not 1982, but shows some people who were at Snowmass and were also visited by 4 of the group of 5, when we stayed in the USA after Snowmass and travelled from Los Angeles down to San Diego, into Mexico and then did the West Coast from San Diego to Vancouver, Washington State and Vancouver BC Canada.

A very Austin Healey group are here, having dinner with John and Vicki Chatham at a house they rent in Carmel every year or so.
Image from the archives of Mark Donaldson - he is in the photos. Mark was at Snowmass and was the co-ordinator for the Kiwi's who went, making arrangements through Hans Nohr to get rides for the 5 from Ventura LA to Snowmass and back, sharing seats in Austin Healey's and a Lincoln owned by one of the Healey guys.

Americans Kiwi's and Australians in the photo taken by an English person.
Terry Cowan [ San Diego ] the late John Wilson [ Oregon ] Steve Kirby, at back [ from ? - I don't know him ] Jan McLaren [ NZ ] Helen Pike [ Australia ] Mark Donaldson [ NZ ] Steve Pike [ Australia ].

John Wilson son Robert was also there at another time with Jan Mark and others.
Robert was John Wilson partner in the business " Healey Lane Restorations " based in Oregon, and now runs it.

The Trailer that Healey Lane uses to transport " Austin Healey " cars.

Remembering a great trip and that the AH community has lost a number of attendees in recent years.
from New Zealand Craig Swift - the guy from Wellington Bernie Huynen [ part of the couple returning from Europe, John Wilson and his wife Shirley Wilson from Oregon, in recent years Walt Glendenning from Ventura / Oxnard California the Original owner of " Absolutely British " who had a motorcycle accident in 1988. Ken H knew Walt and the current owner of " Absolutely British " Eric Grunden.
There are others, these are the ones I know. RIP.

" Absolutely British " the Logo over the years from 1981, 1982 and recently, well 2015.
- Ken H wrote a letter with this letterhead in 2015 to me.

[Roger Dowding]

Production Sprites started at Chassis AN5-501, AN5L758 was built between 22 April 1958 and 28th April and sold to a dealer in Canada. hence the " L " in the Chassis number - Left hand drive.

The car came to New Zealand in October 1962 [ Registered 29 October 1962 ] to a lady in Hamilton, and would have had a Black numbers on Yellow background plate until it got BS4308, in June-July 1964 which it still has today.

Between 1962 and 1973 it had 15 owners before Anthony van de Water purchased it in 21 October 1973. Anthony owns to this day and as mentioned has recently had it sympathetically restored, retaining some featured added over the years - the wider drilled steel wheels and the single hoop Roll Bar.

Anthony has the Original NZ Registration Papers still, and the British Leyland " BL Heritage Limited " Certificate of details obtained in July 1982. The Certificate states " specification - LHD, North American export" - " date despatched 28 April 1958 to ( dealer ) Canada.

The NZ Registration Papers;

Anthony would like to find photos of the car Racing before he bought it in 1973, and specifically when owned by Tony Gordon Ward of Chadwick Road Tauranga, a member of the Tauranga Car Club.
In my Programme archive T G Ward raced the car at Pukekohe the NSCC meeting 26th February 1966 with Race #192.
He was entered in Race 5. - the cars capacity was listed as 980cc.

Tony has also raced the car including at the " Country Gents meeting at Wigram in 1987.

Seen here in #139 just ahead of Clarrie Berryman in #146 another Sprite.

Any photos of the Car racing would be appreciated to pass on to Anthony.

Cover of the February 1966 NSCC meeting Programme

[Roger Dowding]

Andy [ bce257 ], the Lawton Healey, I am not sure, but with your permission will send these pics to Mark Donaldson, the founder and now Historian for AHCC New Zealand,

thanks

Roger D..

Just going back over the thread and have now, finally, put the details together BT768 is " 422*533 " in 1956 -61 plates - the George Lawton car. There I was advising to contact Mark Donaldson and now realise you knew him anyway.
My excuse is that at the time of the posts #137 etc I was living in Queensland, 2 hours and many years behind.

Cheers Roger.

This car.

At John Windelburn's Garage - picture recently from John.

The " Puhipuhi Road " photo again - the Northland Car Club Hill Climb.

[Roger Dowding]

An Austin Healey 100 cometing at the Ngutuwera Road Hill Climb - near Waitotara in Taranaki, close the border with the Manuwatu - Whanganui region.
Number plates are the 1951 - 1956 issue. so photos from 1953 [ at earliest ] to mid 1956.

Does anyone know of these events.

Rainer Jordan found the photos and put them on an Austin Healey group page.
Would like to find out more.

Have established that the driver / owner was Dr Graham Cowie and the Car still exists. It is currently in Dunedin with the owner who is a neighbour of the Austin Healey Clubs " Registrar " Ross W Osborne.
hopefully more information can be found.

*** A bit more. about the Healey and its owner/driver.

" The two pics you sent are from Doctor Graham Bruce Alistair Cowie’s book, Yesterdays Motoring (1991).

The Ngutuwera Hill Climb was run by the Wanganui Car Club.

Cowie competed in many motorsport events in the Manawatu and beyond in the four years he owned the car.

These events included Ohakea in 1955 & 1956 as evidenced by the endpapers in Graham Vercoe's Historic Racing Cars of NZ " .
There is mention also in " sergent.com.au " of results of various Events.
- According to " Wanganui Car Club " Fb page the Club was Established in 1955.

Must try to source a copy of the Book " Yesterdays Motoring (1991). " by Dr Cowie.
An image of the Cover.

Have also been sent an " edited " - as in tidied up version of the photo by Chris Denby who is currently helping with Peter Bruins huge archive of photos.

The C Denby edited copy.

[Roger Dowding]

" The Jensen 541 is an automobile which was produced by Jensen Motors from 1954 to 1959. It was first exhibited at the London Motor Show in October 1953,[4] and production started in 1954.

The 541 used fibreglass bodywork mounted on a steel chassis and was fitted with a straight-six engine, three SU carburettor version of the 4-litre Austin engine and four speed transmission with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive.

The body consisted of three major mouldings and the entire front was rear hinged and could be raised for engine access. The doors were aluminium. Suspension was independent at the front using coil springs with a Panhard rod located rigid axle and leaf springs at the rear. A choice of wire spoked or steel disc wheels with centre lock fitting was offered.[3] At first the car had servo assisted 11 in (279 mm) drum brakes but from 1956, the newly introduced 541 Deluxe version featured Dunlop disc brakes both front and rear—the first British four seater thus equipped.

It was also a luxurious car with the well equipped interior featuring leather seats as standard. The individual seats in front separated by a high transmission tunnel and the rear seats had a small centre armrest and could also be tilted forwards to increase luggage space. Standard colours (1955) were black, ivory, imperial crimson, moonbeam grey, Boticelli blue, deep green and Tampico beige.[3]

By employing lightweight materials, Jensen managed to make the car significantly lighter than their contemporary Interceptor model, with a dry weight of 1,220 kg (2,690 lb) as against the older design's 1,370 kg (3,020 lb).[4] Performance benefitted.

In 1957 the 541 R was introduced, and in 1960 the 541 S arrived with wider bodywork and revised grill styling. Production of the Jensen 541 ended in 1959 and the 541 S early 1963 when the range was replaced by the C-V8. "

When the Austin Healey Car Club ran our Hill Climb at Otaua in the 1980's a couple of Jensens turned up to spectate. One was owned by a Mate of Reg Whittaker who was the " Man on the Ground " in Otaua, being a Waiuku Boy born and bred, and a local schoolteacher, was living in Bothwell Park Road which is the next road over from Maioro Rd.
As has been mentioned Reg organised the " toilet " for the day, not a portaloo, but a genuine " Longdrop " .. don't think OSH would permit such things today.

Those Jensens ;.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]64362[/ATTACH]

The CV8

[ATTACH=CONFIG]64363[/ATTACH]

The Longdrop by Reg of Waiuku - R.O.W - known as that and it was his initials to Reginald Orton Whittaker.
Chris Watson in his TR5 races past.

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As an aside ; A group of Healeyites all past and some present members of the Austin Healey Car Club of New Zealand Inc - were at Manfield for the Classic Races last weekend.

This was sent to me by BMC BOY

[ATTACH=CONFIG]64365[/ATTACH]

Left to right;
BMC BOY Ross, Standing ; Chris White [ former racer ] Reg of Waiuku, Frank Karl AH 3000 and F5000 Racer, Barry Moon former Ford Escort and Austin Healey Racer. - drinking Orange Juice too !!.

Ross - Thanks for the photo. Great to see some Old mates.. Think I am one of the oldest though, at 72, Chris is 70, You are way younger, not sure about Frank and Reg, Barry about my age !! If he is not my apologies.
No doubt You and Barry would have caught up with John McKechnie and others. !!

Just came across this post again ;

" When the Austin Healey Car Club ran our Hill Climb at Otaua in the 1980's a couple of Jensens turned up to spectate. One was owned by a Mate of Reg Whittaker who was the " Man on the Ground " in Otaua, "

The owner of the Jensen CV8, got in touch with me recently, after seeing an Austin engined Jensen post - He is Bill Muirson, who is also into large Austin Saloons - with the 4 litre Six and other cars. haven't seen or spoken to Bill since those Hill Climb days, and have discovered he is still in touch with Reg Whittaker of 100 - 8 fame, hope to catch up with soon, as he lives in Tauranga.

Bill advised me that he came to run the Jensen CV8, but with the huge motor the Scrutineers were not happy to let him run.. Many " competitors " were not regular racers and got an on the day Competition Licence, so that may have been a factor.

[Roger Dowding]

" SN3000 " is the " Valiant - Healey " by name was owned by Bernie Huynen for many years in the 1970's - 1990's.
It was powered by an Australian Chrysler Valiant 225 cubic inch slant Six motor under Bernie's ownership and attended many AH Club events in New Zealand and other events Hill Climbs and Races by other groups.

When the car was sold an owner tried to fit a V8 to the car but had major difficulties with " Compliance ".
As a result the current owner, who has had the car for many years restored / rebuilt it with a " Compliant " Valiant 6 motor.
Car has a Kilmartin built replacement chassis but the body panels, wide Chromed Mag wheels and most other components are from the original Valiant build.

Current owner Grant MacKenzie was responsible for its rebuild into it current form and uses the car, attending Car Shows and doing the Austin Healey Car Club of New Zealand - " 50th Anniversary Grand Tour " in March April 2023.
Recently the car appeared at a Classics Meeting at Hukeranui North of Whangarei - a swap meet where Grant said " with the classic car club 90% left hand drive " vehicles, this photo form Kyran Maher appeared on " Classic Cars and Wrecks page with photos of an MGB, some Falcons [ Australian ] and several US Trucks and Cars.

Car looks a bit different to this photo [ my own ] from 1984 at Napier for the AHCCNZ Rally.

Carjam says this about the car ;
Think a couple of errors like the engine size.

" 1957
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: Purple
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate:ⓘ SN3000
Engine No:ⓘ 26CUH47347
Chassis:ⓘ BN4S47347
CC rating:ⓘ 2,300cc (2.3l)
Fuel Type:ⓘ Petrol "

The number plate SN3000 was a reissue as the plate it got in the Christchurch region in 1964 when permanent plates first came out was AM4408. Car was Registered in New Zealand as a new vehicle in 1957.

" Plate Effective Date
SN3000 15-Apr-1994
AM4408 "