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

[Roger Dowding]

The Austin Healey BMC dealers in the USA advertise the vehicles through Hambro - here a selection of Adverts.

Two on the AH 100 from the 1950's 1953 - 57 period and one from around 1961 as has the new shape Sprite and the MGA, by 1962 the MGB had been released. - these from Hemphills Healey Haven archives.
A Hambro Advert from 1956 - The release of gthe BN2 version of the 100, with a four speed gearbox

An Advert mentioning the performance of the AH 100 .. note the speeds claimed were for a car that had modifications to streamline it - underbody panels and a headrest cowl behind the driver, plus wheel-spats on the rear wheels.
This from West Coast dealers

The AH 3000 AH Sprite MGA advert. a Hambro advert

[Roger Dowding]

More photos from Clas Arleskar archives.

this one entitled " me and my Healey 100S at Thruxton in August 2002 "
a 100 with a Hardtop beside / behind the 100S.

At a English / European event - undated - Is it the same place ? " Ferodo " advert behind it again, as well as Kumho Tyres.

[Roger Dowding]

Origin of this photo not known -

The car is NOJ393 which Officially is Chassis number SPL226B - one of the AHX 1953 Special Test Cars built by Donald Healey Motor Company in the AH 100 shape - later modified with a 100S type grille.
At one stage NOJ391 was involved in an incident at Le Mans and its component put into NOJ393 to race to avoid have to be re-scrutineered by the French Officials..
The car is the one that had the huge crash at the 1955 Le Mans, driven by Lance Macklin, that involved Pierre Levegh Mercedes 300SL and the Mike Hawthorn D Type Jaguar.

A painting of the incident by Keith Parkes - which some opinions state is not accurate - shows the 3 cars involved.

Earlier time at Le Mans with NOJ391 and NOJ393 and cars with their original type 100 Grilles. the 1953 Le Mans Race

I should note that ERC has a thread with almost 1,9 million views - a wee way to go !!

[Roger Dowding]

" Chassis Monday is presenting AHS 3707.
This 100S, AHS-3707, is the seventh 100S of the third batch of ten. It was shipped on 21 April 1955 as one of six sent to Gough Industries in Los Angeles, where the popularity of sports car racing was at a fever pitch. This car, finished in the classic and model-signature combination of Old English White and Lobelia Blue.
Although the original first owner is unknown, the ownership history has been continuous since early 1959, when the car was purchased by Bob Schilling from a used car lot on Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. He would race the car on and off from 1960 to 1962, until he sold the Austin-Healey to Louise Grey-Young, of North Hollywood, in 1964. It subsequently traded hands several times over the years, with other notable caretakers including well-known and highly respected car collectors Jon Savage and Craig McCaw. "

I along with 1000 or so others saw the car at Snowmass, Colorado in July 1982 at the
" 30th Anniversary of the Austin Healey " celebrations.

The car at this time was still being restored and transported by Global Healeys, later Australian Steve Pike helped with finishing the restoration of the car

A montage of my photos form the Album I created after the event and others I attended in the West Coast of the USA, including Laguna Seca the 9th Historics and the AH Club of Oregon meeting at Medford Oregon.

The car when owned by Jon Savage in 2005

The car at Laguna Seca - the Monterey Historics in 2012.

[Roger Dowding]

Arthur Kennard in the Healey Corvette pre 1960.
Race #10 and has the BP sticker by the door.

The car at The Goodwood Festival in the UK in 2019 - racing in the Freddie March Memorial Race - Freddie was I believe Lord March - well known in Motor Racing circles in the UK..

Another photo posted before of the Healey Corvette in New Zealand Number Plate 315.733 is the 1956 - 61 issue.
Car has Race #10 and the BP sticker is visible - posted before. Still wondering who is sitting against the car ??.

Location believed to be Wigram - the photo was used in an article when the car was invited to Goodwood in 2019

The car has changed a bit since being fully restored - the bonnet now sports 3 rows of louvres as it did back in 1957 on.

When the car was Hampton Downs in 2018 had a two rows of louvres and a different Roll Bar to its current one.

[Milan Fistonic]

This photo that I took at Goodwood in 2019 shows the car with three rows of louvres and a very different roll hoop.

[Roger Dowding]

AHS3709 was sold new through Gough Industries - Los Angeles California.
It was part of a delivery to Gough Chassis numbers AHS3706 to AHS3710 and AHS3801 - dispatched on 21st and 22nd April 1955.

Original owner of the car is not stated in the Geoff Healey books, but the car was raced extensively by Jack Breskovich from 1959 to 1963 before it had a bad crash in the hands of another driver or owner.

The car was featured on one of the Austin Healey 100S facebook groups on their Chassis Monday, and as a result a number of pictures of it racing have emerged, some have been seen before.
- note for anyone searching the 100S group pages there are Two.
" AUSTIN-HEALEY 100S " the group that featured the first image and " Austin Healey 100S " - the original group.

Chassis Monday.

The car appears to have raced under the number #163 in the SCCA races in the USA, as well as some long distance Sports Car Races - the LA Examiner Grand Prix and the 3 hour Race for Sports Cars at Riverside, California.
A couple of pictures from 1959;

Pomona

Riverside

Races from 1963.

The Cobra in this photo is a well known car #198 and one of the first Cobra to race - in the USA

The car with Race #180 - it is presumed to be Jack Breskovitch, going the wrong way. undated

Some images are from " Austin Healey " - a pseudonym for the creator of " AUSTIN-HEALEY 100S " page and others from Rainer Jordan - as shown on the photos.

[Speedsports]

I note that one of my articles, on AHS 3906 from the 1988 Yearbook of the Austin Healey Clubs of Australia has been posted here unfortunately without credit to me as researcher and author. To coincide with the National Australian Austin Healey Club Rally in 1988, which coincided with Australia's Bicentennial, I offered the host club, (NSW) to document the known history of every Austin Healey 100S that has been in Australian up until that time. Subsequently, I was asked to include Works Rally cars and 100M's. As this was all in the days before computers and due to publication time constraints, I had no chance to proofread (never again!). After months of late nights, the finished product was a little rough but considering the limitations, result was not too bad. I subsequently tightened it up for the second edition of John Blanden's 'Historic Racing Cars in Australia'.

[Roger Dowding]

I note that one of my articles, on AHS 3906 from the 1988 Yearbook of the Austin Healey Clubs of Australia has been posted here unfortunately without credit to me as researcher and author. To coincide with the National Australian Austin Healey Club Rally in 1988, which coincided with Australia's Bicentennial, I offered the host club, (NSW) to document the known history of every Austin Healey 100S that has been in Australian up until that time. Subsequently, I was asked to include Works Rally cars and 100M's. As this was all in the days before computers and due to publication time constraints, I had no chance to proofread (never again!). After months of late nights, the finished product was a little rough but considering the limitations, result was not too bad. I subsequently tightened it up for the second edition of John Blanden's 'Historic Racing Cars in Australia'.

As the creator of this Thread on " The Roaring Season ", I apologize to you " Speedsport " for the omission.
Please put your name to the thread and if the posting was mine I will amend, if posted by another Member it will be acknowledged.

Refer to Post #1340 on page 67 regarding the article " AHS 3906 from the 1988 Yearbook of the Austin Healey Clubs of Australia has been posted here unfortunately without credit to me as researcher and author. "

Cheers

Roger

[Roger Dowding]

Notes from Rainer Jordan.

" How the former factory Healey (UJB 143) raced by Jack Sears and Peter Riley at Sebring 1960 #18 and Le Mans 1960 #23 became "DD 300".
In 1961, newspaper magnate David Dixon bought it and changed it to "DD 300."
David Dixon drove a Mini with the reg. number "DD 300" as a privateer and this personal number was to be on his newly acquired Austin Healey.
1961 #21 Austin-Healey DD 300, Stoop / Bekaert - Le Mans 24 Hours, DNF: Engine
1962 #24 Austin-Healey DD 300, Whitmore / Olthoff - Le Mans 24 Hours, DNF: Piston.
The number (UJB 143) now went on the next new car built by the Competitions Department, a new Red Rally car being prepared for the Swedish Midnight Sun Rally. "

Photos of the car at Sebring #18 in 1960
Le Mans 1960 #23
and in 1961 Le Mans owned by David Dixon raced as #21 DD300
In 1962 Le Mans as #24.

Have a scale model of #23 at Le Mans and have seen UJB143's sister car UJB141, that rolled at Sebring in 1960, when I visited Bill Bolton in Corvallis Oregon in 1982, saw the car at Snowmass also in 1982

The car as DD300

The car in John Chatham's hands in 2016 - thanks to Ray Green [ ERC ] for the " borrowed " photo.

[Roger Dowding]

Allan Horner with his Toyota twincam powered Sprite is in the Time Trial Class of the Targa Rally which started today
Tuesday 24th to Saturday October 28th 2023.

His Driver / Co-Driver this year is Des Redgwell - seen here in the car at the Start on Day One.

Had just purchased my copy of NZ Classic Driver Magazine and there is the car in a photo from a previous Targa and in the Entry List
In a previous Targa Frank Karl was the Driver with Allan Horner.
They featured in an article in NZ Classic Driver, written by Allan - and posted on this thread, last year.

One of the images from NZ CD in the August 2022 Edition.

[Roger Dowding]

AHS3802 was imported into New Zealand by Fred Losee an American Dentist who worked at the Dental Section of Dunedin University 1958 - 60.
The car went to Ernest [ Joss ] Tims in 1960 and then through various NZ hands to Nic McFarlane in 1973 and was sold to Murray Wells in Australia in 1981.

A little piece of its New Zealand History - all the Owners, is on these two images copies of the NZ Registration Papers issued in 1975 with all the previous owners, as they used to do.
no longer under the Privacy Act !!

The Story of the car has been posted on here from the AHCCNZ archives as held by Jim Reece - who also had these papers.
There has also been photos of the car with Fred Losee which was stated to be at Balclutha.
It was in fact at Wangaloa, near the sea on a grass track beside the Coast Road that goes from Balclutha to Dunedin.

photo [ posted before ] and some new notes

Car has the 1956 - 1961 plates here as issued new in 1958.

Notes from Ivo Visser - referring to the article on AHS3908 the Seabrook Fowlds Ross Jensen car that has never left NZ apart from going to Albert Park Melbourne in 1956.

" In the next issue of Classic Driver I track down the ex Ross Jensen Austin Healey 100S.[ AHS3908 ] Three came to NZ — the Jensen car, the one and only black car for Vickery's, the Invercargill Austin dealer [ AHS3601 ] and American naval dentist Fred Losee brought one [ AHS3802 ]along when he came to Dunedin to teach at the Dental school.
Fred used his daily and competed in Otago Sports Car Club events and is seen here chasing Kerwin Taylor's Buckler at a Wangaloa grass track meeting. Fred fitted his car with bumpers.
The Jensen car has always been in NZ, the Losee car went back to the US while the Vickery car was destroyed in a road crash, but surviving parts were used to recreate it [ as AHS3601 R ] and it's just come back to NZ. "

The comments from Allan Dick who wrote the Article - edited by Ivo Visser, Chassis Numbers added to clarify

The photo with the Kerwyn Taylor Buckler as mention above. - posted before but fits with the story.

[Roger Dowding]

A story about AHS3802 written by Roger with additional comment by Bernie Huynen [ RIP Bernie ] of the AH Car Club of New Zealand.

A link to article - ** see note below - as found by Rainer Jordan,

" AHS3802 is now in Northern California, owned by Dr Robert. Griffin

" https://classicpromenade.com/.../1955-Austin-Healey... "

** - The link is incorrect - the story is as a PDF file which will attach here.
For the good copy of the article go to the Facebook Page Austin Healey 100S [ Not AUSTIN-HEALEY 100S ]

The Article details the NZ Owners as shown in the NZ Registration Papers posted recently - more for the story

Photo from Clas Arlekar archives of the two cars AHS3601R in Black and AHS3802 in Red - The cars were owned by Murray Wells at the time.

AHS3601 R with Clas Arleskar Rally 3000 which he still has - Clas owned AHS3601 from 1999 to 2012.

[Roger Dowding]

George Lawton who was joint " Driver to Europe " with Denny Denis Hulme in 1960.

George had a 100 Six, which he campaigned in various Northland Car Club events, especially Hill Climbs.

John Windelburn sent me this photo of George Lawton at a Hill Climb near Waipu, in 1958.
It is not Puhipuhi Road which is further North.
" Oldfart " has mentioned the name of the road on TRS previously, couldn't find the notes in my quick search.

George Lawton at Puhipuhi Road - believed to be in 1957 - Brian Skudders - Northland Car Club archives

George also had a Cooper Bobtail - the two cars seen together - posted before. Graham Woods archives

[Roger Dowding]

Mentioned on this thread some time ago Brett has repurchased the Sprite he owned many years ago and is restoring and improving it - performance / braking / handling / safety.

The car has progressed well and is nearing completion.
Have ' borrowed ' these photos from Brett's posts on Facebook - told him I would when he started.

The interior being completed - back in October 2023

The bonnet going on - more recently - in the last couple of weeks.

It is on

The car on it new Minilite Wheels - part of the performance / safety mods. this happened in the last few days.

Meanwhile another series one Sprite - one of the very early ones has been having some TLC - another story there.

[Roger Dowding]

" Meanwhile another series one Sprite - one of the very early ones has been having some TLC - "

Anthony van de Water has owned this Sprite since the 1970's and attended many Austin Healey Car Club events, in that time..
Recently it has received some work to re-restore it.

A recent photo of the car. from Tony's own archive.

Last time I saw the car was in 1989 at Masterton for the AHCCNZ Rally, Tony travelled with a group of us from Auckland to Masterton and back.

The car at the time of the Masterton trip - my own photo.

Since Around that time Tony has lived in the Blenheim area and run " BASIS the Spare Parts business for English cars.
Tony also has a Triumph TR2 which is receiving some re-fettling as well.

[Roger Dowding]

Information from Joe Jarick.

" This photo was taken at the Australian 50th Anniversary of the Austin Healey 100S in October 2005. Every 100S in Australia attended the first day (AHS 3909 was present, but not running) In the photo line up there is one replica (red) and one visitor from overseas (AHS 3808). OON 441 (green) and my 100S (AHS 3807) were driven from Queensland and back, a distance of almost 4,000 klm. Tony Parkinson compiled an excellent video of the event. "

The Photo - Clas Arleskar archives but others have copies.

Link to the Video - hope it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSqQjl6-EaM

[Roger Dowding]

With the sale of MX5 UN7284 recently decided that as I no longer have a Big Toy to play with, I needed some more small toys.

A Corgi 1992 Issue of Rally/Race Austin Healey 3000's
The trio are
#18 the 1960 Sebring Car of Jack Sears and Peter Riley, one of three Team Cars entered at Sebring UJB143, which finished 3rd in Class, the car was raced at Le Mans a few months later with Jack Sears again.
Sister car #19 at Sebring had a huge Rollover at the event but was rebuilt UJB141, The car was at the Austin Healey 30th Anniversary in 1982 that has featured on this thread - then owned by Bill Bolton of Oregon
#76 the Rally 3000 of Pat Moss URX727 Pat with Navigator Ann Wisdom came 2nd in the Alpine Rally.
There is a tribute to this car in New Zealand which is a competitor in Historic Racing.
#414 Registered UOC741 is a 100-Six competing since 1957 main competition seems to be in 1958.
[ believe upgraded to 3000 specs and seen here as it was in the TULPEN Tulip Rally in 1960, no record of this in the book so could have been a Private Entrant by then - an ex works car.].

A bit of History on these cars is in the book " The BMC / BL Competitions Department " - by Bill Price published in 1989 - will add to the story.

[Roger Dowding]

A bit of useful information for Austin Healey owners -
There was a question about the number tab of the float bowl of an SU recently.

SU

and some more information, may not effect Healey Driving but good to know

Tyres

URX727 the Pat Moss Ann Wisdom Rally Car with a boot full of tyres.
Photo is recent of the now fully restored car.

Tyres. they look a bit Winter Style to me.

[Roger Dowding]

The car has featured on this thread before and was the subject of a story in a " Tintin " cartoon book.

Notes from the Classic and Recreation Sportscars post.

" Austin Healey 3000 Coupe "
Is a concept car created in 1962, designed by young students Pio Manzu, Henner Werner & Michael Conrad as a design entry to a competition to mark the tenth anniversary of Swiss automobile yearbook (L’Annee Automobile) and displayed at the Earls Court London, Geneva and Turin Motor Shows.
This winning design was built by Pininfarina on a 3000 roadster chassis powered by a straight-six cylinder 2912cc engine. "

A series of photographs

next post another photo and sketches and an article from a magazine.