Donald Healey Motor Company

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Donald Healey Motor Company

logo
legal form Ltd
founding 1946
resolution 1954
Reason for dissolution liquidation
Seat Warwick , Warwickshire , England , UK
management Donald Mitchell Healey
Branch Automobile manufacturer ( sports car )

The Donald Healey Motor Company was a British manufacturer of sporty automobiles in the period immediately after the Second World War . During the production period (1946-1954) the models Westland , Elliott , Duncan , Sportsmobile , Silverstone , Abbott , Tickford and 3 Liter Sports were offered. The company also manufactured the Nash-Healey and developed the prototype of the Austin-Healey 100 , from which Healey then built a pilot series and the racing version 100S .

Company history

Donald Healey was a fighter pilot in World War I , later trained to become an engineer by means of a distance learning course and then worked in the British automotive industry. He worked for Triumph as a development engineer from 1933 to 1939 and then moved to Humber , where he also drove automobile races. His greatest success was undoubtedly winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1931.

For Healey, the engine of the BMW 328 was the best power unit for a smaller sports car and he would have liked to use it in his car. Perhaps it was the contact with Victor Riley that dissuaded him from using this engine or its licensed version from Bristol , which other sports car manufacturers such as Frazer Nash or AC used.

In March 1945 - World War II was not over - Healey received permission from the Department of Commerce to develop a prototype and set up in an old Royal Air Force hangar .

He founded the Donald Healey Motor Company Limited to build the production vehicle .

The team

Donald Healey was supported by a capable team. In addition to the mentioned Victor Riley , who liked engines, transmissions and rear axles, these were the chassis engineer Achille "Sammy" Sampietro , the designer Benjamin Bowden and Wally Ellen , who provided the production areas. James Watt became sales manager ; Roger Menadue helped as a development engineer. The body of the first prototype was built by Peter Shelton .

The car

The Healey model names are not very illuminating. As a rule, they refer to the name of the body shop or simply to the body name. The Nash-Healey is the only model whose name refers to the engine supplier and not the body. The Healey 3 Liter is sometimes also called Alvis-Healey or Type G (after its chassis).

Immediately after the war, procurement of materials was difficult and there were frequent delays and bottlenecks. Most of the components in Healey sports cars were bought in because the small editions would not have justified the cost of in-house developments. Healey delivered the assembled chassis with motor (the so-called rolling chassis ) to the respective bodybuilder and received the vehicles back from them more or less completely. The last installations followed, the acceptance and then the delivery. Many customers are likely to have received their new Healey personally at the factory.

The motors

The revised Nash Dual Jetfire Six engine made 126 instead of 117 hp in the Nash-Healey. Good to see: aluminum cylinder head and the two laterally mounted SU carburettors in the foreground; both were part of Healey's tuning program .

Engine suppliers were the companies Riley , Nash , Alvis and Austin . The big four-cylinder engine from Riley had used something like the standard drive of the Healey and was in most models. It was the larger of two engines available, was based on the 2 1/2 liter engine from 1937 and largely corresponds to the Big Four of the Riley RM series introduced in 1946 . The 3 Liter Sports had the series - six-cylinder engine of Alvis. The US manufacturer Nash (no connection to the British sports car maker Frazer-Nash ) provided for the Nash-Healey initially the ohv -Sechszylindermotor Dual Jetfire Six with 3.8 liter displacement and dual ignition , which is also in the Nash Ambassador was offered and there 115 bhp ( 85.8 kW) at 3400 rpm. Healey revised the engine so that he could publish a factory specification of 125 HP (93 kW) at 4000 rpm. An improved Le Mans Dual Jetfire Six with 4.1 liters of displacement came from February 1952. Healey brought it from 130 bhp (95.7 kW) at 3700 rpm to 140–142 bhp (104.5 kW) at 4000 rpm. Healey did not offer any engine options ex works, but many owners tinkered with other carburettors and all sorts of fine-tuning. It is known, at least from some Nash-Healey , that American V8 engines were installed later, which made them very fast but also difficult to control. The engine of the Healey 100 was the standard engine of the Austin A90 / Atlantic with four cylinders and 90 bhp (67.1 kW).

Motor data

Healey used the following engines, depending on the model

Riley Nash (- 2.52) Nash (from 2.52) Alvis Austin Austin (100S)
cylinder 4 (ohv, row) 6 (ohv, row) 6 (ohv, row) 6 (ohv, row) 4 (ohv, row) 4 (ohv, row)
Displacement 2443 cc 3848 cc 4138 cc 2993 cc 2660 cc 2660 cc
Camshafts two a a a a a
Bore × stroke 80.5 × 120 mm 85.72 x 111.1 mm 88.9 x 111.1 mm 84 × 90 mm 87.3 x 111.1 mm 87.3 x 111.1 mm
power 106 bhp (79 kW) 125 bhp (93 kW) 135 bhp (101 kW) 106 bhp (79 kW) 90 bhp (67 kW) 132 bhp (98 kW)
at 4800 rpm 4000 rpm 4000 rpm 4200 rpm 4000 rpm 4700 rpm
compression 6.84: 1 8.0: 1 8.25: 1 7.0: 1 7.5: 1
Carburetor 2 × SU H4 2 × Carters 2 × SU 2 × SU 2 × SU 2 × SU H4

The gear

The versions with Riley engines were standard, the original transmission of Riley 2 ½ Liter with four courses; Healey chose a longer rear axle ratio of 3.5: 1 (Riley: 4.11: 1). A straight toothed gearbox from ENV was optionally available together with an axle ratio of 3.25: 1. The Nash-Healey was delivered with a manually shifted Borg-Warner three-speed gearbox. The four-speed transmission of the Austin A90 was used for the Healey 100, the first gear was put out of operation; for the second and third there was an overdrive .

The chassis

The Healey chassis was a box frame made of 18- gauge sheet steel (1.21 mm thick) with cross braces. The front axle with swing arm independent suspension with two crank trailing arms and curve stabilizer was also developed in-house, incorporating ideas from the Auto Union Grand Prix racing car from the pre-war era. A stabilizer also improved road holding.

The direct and precise steering is a patented Healey construction. It is based on the principle of a rotating plate and a steering linkage, which transmit the forces from the steering gear to the wheels.

To about 1950 forward have been coil springs , rear leaf springs , around drum brake with a hydraulic brake system by Lockheed and a Riley - rigid axle with Panhard rod used.

The later versions, ie Abbott and Tickford from late 1951, 3 liter (Alvis) and Nash-Healey belong to a second generation with revised chassis. Instead of the rear leaf springs, coil springs were also used and at least the Nash-Healey had an adjustable steering wheel. There are therefore various further developments and variants of the Healey chassis that have been given an alphabetical type designation to distinguish them. Not every chassis was available with every structure. With the exception of the second series of the Nash-Healey and the 100 , the wheelbase was 2561 mm throughout.

  • Type A: The first version as described above was built from 1946 to mid-1947. Used for Duncan , Elliott and Westland . Tire size 5.75 × 15.
  • Type B: replaced Type A; the battery was moved under the back seat. Tire size 5.75 × 15.
  • Type C and BT are the first and second versions of the chassis for Abbott and Tickford (1949–1951), with BT replacing the Type C in mid-1951. The chassis is extended to the rear by riveted elements. Tire size 5.75 × 15.
  • Type D: is the first version of the Silverstone chassis (late 1949 to mid 1950). The engine is offset from the other models by 203 mm [8 inches] backwards. 72.5 liter [16 gallon] gas tank. Newton-Bennet telescopic shock absorber weight approx. 59 kg.
  • Type E: is the second version of the Silverstone chassis from the middle of 1950. It enabled a slightly wider body and more legroom. Newton-Bennet telescopic shock absorbers; Silverstone E-Types have a larger windshield and hood on the hood.
  • Type F: is the third version of the chassis for Abbott and Tickford (late 1951–1954). It is extended to the rear with riveted elements, has Newton-Bennet telescopic shock absorbers, hydraulic brakes from Girling and a Salisbury rear axle. Tire size 5.75 × 15.
  • Type G: corresponds to Type F, but is designed for the Alvis engine of the 3 liter (1951–1952). Tire size 5.90 × 15.
  • Type N: The chassis for the Nash-Healey is derived from the Silverstone , has telescopic suspension , hydraulic brakes from Bendix and, depending on the source, a rear axle from Salisbury or Nash. The Roadster version has a wheelbase of 2591 mm (102 inches), the Coupé of 2743 mm (108 inches). Tire size 6.40 × 15.
  • 100: The chassis for the Hundred was structurally similar to those of other Healeys, but was smaller (wheelbase 2290 mm). Tire size 5.90 × 15. The chassis of this prototype is likely to have largely corresponded to that of the 20 pre-production models of the Austin-Healey 100/4 built by Healey .
  • 100S: The chassis for the Austin-Healey 100S ; Wheelbase 2290 mm; Dunlop disc brakes front and rear; Four-speed gearbox without overdrive, air suspension at the front.

A chassis weighed only about 60 kg, but was extremely robust. All Healey have 15-inch wheels. The first letter of the chassis number indicates the type of chassis used.

The body

The superstructures were not manufactured by Healey itself. The company had purchase agreements with various specialist companies. The bodies were created according to traditional craftsmanship and consisted of a frame made of ash wood or light metal with an aluminum sheet skin. Designer Ben Bowden was involved in the drafts and the wind tunnel of the aircraft manufacturer Armstrong-Whitworth was also used .

On all models with the exception of the Nash-Healey, a diamond-shaped radiator grille is the Healey's trademark. A version of it also graced the first version of the Austin-Healey (BN1).

Models

Westland Roadster

Early Healey had narrower and lower headlights like this 1949 Healey Westland Roadster

From Westland were 1946-1950 64 copies (by other sources: 70) prepared on the chassis of which 49 Type B . Together with the Elliott , it was the brand's first "production vehicle". The four-seater roadster structure with emergency roof was made according to plans by Bowden at Westland Engineering Hereford , Herefordshire from sheet aluminum over an ash frame. Riley the engine has been used in conjunction with the chassis types A , B and C .

Elliott

The coachbuilder Samuel Elliott & Sons in Caversham near Reading in Berkshire was contacted in November 1945 to manufacture a closed type . Not only did the company agree to provide a bodywork in collaboration with Ben Bowden, but they also contributed GB $ 1000 to the company.

The Healey Elliott was a two-door sports sedan ( coach ) and was offered as a 4 seat saloon . The body was made of aluminum over an ash wood frame. The Riley engine has also been combined with chassis types A , B and C here over time . 101 copies (according to another source: 104) were made between 1946 and 1950.

After a production Elliott had reached a top speed of 104.65 mph (168.4 km / h) in a test, Healey was able to advertise the "fastest British sedan", undoubtedly the result of the lightweight construction combined with good aerodynamics and a powerful engine .

The relationship with Elliott & Sons did not develop satisfactorily. On the one hand, Donald Healey doesn't seem to have placed much emphasis on other opinions, on the other hand, there were difficulties with payment deadlines, so Elliot kept some completed vehicles as collateral. The break finally came in 1948 by the bodywork supplier who sold its stake in Donald Healey Motor Company and stopped deliveries. The supply of spare parts was still ensured.

Duncan

Healey Duncan Drone (1947)

Duncan Industries in North Walsham ( Norfolk ) dressed a series of Healey chassis 1946-1948. The scope of production is unclear. Most sources assume that around 39 chassis were equipped with a Sports Saloon body, which was similar to a structure previously developed for the Alvis TA 14. The version by Duncan has a sloping beltline and dispenses with a fixed B-pillar . The windows of the doors and the rear side windows overlapped. In some details, the structure was similar to pre-war designs by Gurney Nutting . Duncan also built three Drop Head Coupés (Cabriolets) with a stiffer top than the Westland and with side windows.

A minimalist Roadster was the drone ( UAV ) with an angular body, made up of 15 or 50 copies of the depending on the source.

Sportsmobile

The Healey Sportsmobile 2/2 Seat Drop Head Coupe , manufactured from 1948 to 1950, was Healey's most exclusive model. It was built on the same chassis as the Elliott and Westland (types A and B), but it cost about two and a half times as much as a standard model. It was designed for financially strong lovers of exclusive cars and only built to order. The focus was on the US market, and the body was designed accordingly. This was equipped as a 2 + 2 seater convertible . It was built by Sam Morris & Company . The front doors were hinged, the top was made of heavy material and was lined. According to the English Healey register, only 25 sports mobiles were built, 5 are said to still exist.

On August 20, 1948, the official opening of the Silverstone Circuit by the British racing driver and world record holder John R. Cobb took place in a Healey Sportsmobile . This later resulted in the model name of the Healey club racer.

Silverstone

Front of a Healey Silverstone E-Type from 1950

This was a sport version that was only offered as an open two-seater. The car was clearly geared towards club motorsport . The output was 104 to 106 bhp, depending on the source. 105 copies were made between 1949 and 1951. The bodies were built at the Abbey Panel and Sheet Metal Company in Coventry to a design by Len Hedges .

The Silverstone received a variant of the Healey chassis, called Type D, with the engine slightly set back and telescopic shock absorbers. The chassis weighed only about 59 kg. Technically, the Silverstone corresponded to the rest of the Healey. A prototype from 1949 with the chassis number X 1 and the nickname Red Bug still exists - probably the reason why some sources name 106 Silverstones built .

51 of the Type D were built by mid-1950. This was followed by an improved version, Type E, which offered a little more space for driver and passenger. Outwardly, it differs from type D by an air scoop on the hood and a smaller windshield.

The Silverstone made its debut on the racetrack of the same name, driven by the French racing legend Louis Chiron .

For the participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Healey prepared an open Barchetta on the Silverstone chassis with a six-cylinder engine from Nash. Racing drivers like Tony Brooks (English Formula 1 racing driver and Vice World Champion 1959) gained their first experiences at Silverstone.

Production ended in September 1950 after a change in the regulations in motorsport banned free-standing front fenders. Not least because the price of a Silverstone was only £ 20 GB below that of the Jaguar XK 120 , Healey decided not to adapt it to the new regulations.

Abbott and Tickford

Healey Tickford Saloon from 1952

After breaking up with Elliott & Sons , Healey needed another supplier for the two-door saloon. He found one at Tickford , Newport Pagnell . At this long-established company, which belonged to the Rootes group and also bodyworked Aston Martin and Lagonda , the saloon was redesigned and appeared in 1950 as Healey Tickford on the chassis types BT, C and F. At the same time, Healey replaced the Westland roadster with the Abbott convertible , manufactured by Karossier Abbott in Farnham , on chassis from the B, C and F series.

3 Liter Sports Convertible ("Alvis-Healey")

Healey 3 Liter Sports Convertible ("Alvis-Healey")

Between 1951 and 1954, Healey built a version of his standard car with the Alvis overhead six-cylinder engine instead of the Riley four-cylinder . The car received a convertible body, which was derived from that of the Sportmobile and was manufactured by the Panelcraft Sheet Metal Company in Birmingham (Woodgate). This made the 3 Liter Sports a kind of successor to the sports car .

Despite the larger displacement of 2993 cm³ instead of the Riley’s 2443 cm³, this engine made a comparable 106 bhp (79.0 kW). The chassis, called type G, corresponds to that of type F, as it was used for Abbott and Tickford (late 1951-1954) , apart from the design for the Alvis engine . The wheelbase is 2590 mm (102 inches), the length 4420 mm (174 inches), the width 1651 mm (65 inches) and the height 1422 mm (56 inches). The 3 Liter Sports weighs 1270 kg (2800 lb) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in about 14 seconds. The tank has a capacity of 72.7 liters (16 British gal.). With dimensions of 5.90 × 15, the tires are slightly larger than those of the Healey with F specification. Depending on the source, 25–28 copies were built.

Nash-Healey

Nash-Healey Roadster by Pininfarina (1952)

The Nash-Healey was developed from the chassis of the Silverstone (Type E), which was widened and reinforced so that an American Nash six-cylinder engine Dual Jetfire Six with twin ignition could be installed. This engine had a displacement of 3845 cm³ (234.6 ci) and was brought to 125 HP at 4000 / min (93 kW) by Healey.

The body of the Nash-Healey of the first series largely corresponded to that of the 3 liter Sports Convertible and was also built by Panelcraft in Birmingham (1951). A second series appeared as early as 1952, this time designed and built by Pininfarina in Turin . Only the hoods and doors were made of aluminum. In 1953 Pininfarina presented a sporty, elegant coupé Le Mans , and in the same year Healey switched to the latest version of the Nash six-cylinder engine with 4138 cc. Healey tuned this engine to 135 bhp (100.6 kW). The roadster was discontinued at the end of 1953, a slightly modified coupé was built until 1954, after which the model was completely discontinued.

The automobile was successful in sporting terms, but was unable to assert itself on the market due to its high price. 104 units of the Series I roadster were built in 1951. The Series 2 sold 150 times in 1952. 162 roadsters and coupés were built in 1953 and only 90 coupés in 1954.

Special offers

Healey Shooting Brake , probably one of 16 examples built by HG Dobbs in Southampton

Healey chassis were designed for bodies that were manufactured individually or in small series. The factory versions were also built according to this principle. Of course, a customer could also purchase a so-called rolling chassis (chassis with all mechanical parts including the engine) and have it clad by a bodybuilder of his choice. Sometimes the bodybuilders were also buyers themselves and made bodies without customer orders, for which they then looked for buyers; Such specimens were not infrequently presented at automobile shows.

Healey delivered a total of 135 such rolling chassis . Unfortunately, only a small part of what became of it is known. Ten of them went to a company HWM Motors (possibly the racing team of the same name), which built at least two as a two-door saloon. The company HG Dobbs in Southampton ordered 16 more , which launched a small series of shooting brakes (two-door sports suits ). Three more went to the Swiss Beutler brothers in Thun , who built two convertibles and a coupé. At least the latter still exists.

The well-known Dutch coachbuilder PJ Pennock & Zonen in The Hague built a single convertible to B specification for a publisher in 1948 . In the following year Pennock won the award for special bodies at the Scheveningen Concours .

100

The Austin Healey 100/4 Roadster (1955) was the production version of the Healey 100.

Healey developed a lighter and smaller version of its standard chassis for an upcoming sports car. Its designation 100 refers to the possible maximum speed (analogous to Jaguar with the SS100 , XK120 and others). The drive was the four-cylinder engine of the Austin A90 / Atlantic with a displacement of 2660 cm³ and 90 hp. The chassis was also given the designation “100”. Panelcraft made the body in Birmingham, again in the traditional construction with an aluminum skin over a frame. The Healey 100 was presented at the Earls Court Motor Show in London in 1952 . A collaboration with Austin was agreed upon at the fair . The model eventually came out as the Austin-Healey . Before series production at the BMC bodywork in Longbridge could begin , Panelcraft made a further 20 aluminum models, which Healey completed. They are very sought-after collectibles today. The production version had only the middle section in aluminum, hoods, doors and fenders were made of sheet steel.

Austin-Healey 100S

In 1954, 50–55 copies of the Austin-Healey 100 S with an aluminum chassis and body, intended for racing, were built. The model was a factory test car with which Stirling Moss had finished 3rd in the Sebring 12-hour race in 1954. The standard engine with 90 bhp was brought to 132 bhp (98 kW) with modifications to the engine, a Weslake aluminum cylinder head , two SU carburetors of the type H4 and an aluminum oil cooler .

Healey used his 100 chassis with Dunlop - disc brakes and a four-speed gearbox without overdrive. The all-aluminum body was probably made at Panelcraft . To save weight, it did not have bumpers and the windshield was replaced by a lighter one made of plastic. The aerodynamics have been improved with a smaller radiator grille. Only 50–55 copies of the 190 km / h racing sports car were built, most of them went to the USA and were painted in the US racing trim: white with a blue stripe. The sales price there was US $ 5000.

The factory racing cars were also built from the 100S . They differed on the engine side by a special camshaft , 45 mm carburetor type DCO3 and an oval side exhaust . There was air suspension on the front axle . From the outside, these racing cars were recognizable by their paint job in British Racing Green without a company logo, an additional air inlet on the front of the car and a folding racing window in front of the driver. In order to save even more weight, everything that is not absolutely necessary has been removed from the interior.

The last regular Austin-Healey was built in 1972.

Model overview

model construction time engine Chassis type body Body built by production
Westland 1946-1950 Riley 2.5 A, B, C Roadster; 2 + 2 pl. Westland Engineering 64 (49 B)
Elliott 1946-1950 Riley 2.5 A, B, C 2 dr saloon; 2 + 2 pl. Samuel Elliott & Sons 101-104
Duncan 1946-1948 Riley 2.5 A, B 2 dr saloon; 2 + 2 pl. Duncan Industries 39
Duncan 1946-1948 Riley 2.5 A, B Drop head coupe; 2 + 2 pl. Duncan Industries 3
Drone 1946-1948 Riley 2.5 A, B Roadster Duncan Industries approx. 50
Sportsmobile 1948-1950 Riley 2.5 A, B Drop head coupe; 2 + 2 pl. Sam Morris & Co. 25th
Silverstone 1949-1951 Riley 2.5 D, E Roadster; 2 pl. Abbey Panel and Sheet Metal Co. 105
Tickford 1950-1954 Riley 2.5 B, C, F Roadster; 2 pl. Tickford Ltd. 225
Abbott 1950-1954 Riley 2.5 B, C, F Drop head coupe; 2 + 2 pl. Abbott of Farnham 88
3 liter sports convertible 1951-1954 Alvis 3.0 G Drop head coupe; 2 + 2 pl. Panelcraft Sheet Metal Co. 25-28
Nash-Healey 1951 Nash 3.8 N Roadster; 2 pl. Panelcraft Sheet Metal Co. 104
Nash-Healey 1952 Nash 3.8 N Roadster; 2 pl. Pininfarina 150
Nash-Healey 1953 Nash 3.8 N Roadster; 2 pl. Pininfarina s. u.
Nash-Healey 1953 Nash 4.1 N Roadster; 2 pl. Pininfarina s. u.
Nash-Healey Le Mans 1953 Nash 3.8 N Coupe; 2 pl. Pininfarina s. u.
Nash-Healey Le Mans 1953 Nash 4.1 N Coupe; 2 pl. Pininfarina s. u.
Nash-Healey Le Mans 1954 Nash 4.1 N Coupe; 2 pl. Pininfarina 90
100 1952 Austin 2.6 100 Roadster; 2 pl. Panelcraft Sheet Metal Co. 1
Austin-Healey 100 1954 Austin 2.6 BN1 Roadster; 2 pl. Panelcraft Sheet Metal Co. 20th
Austin-Healey 100 S. 1954 Austin 2.6 BN1 Roadster; 2 pl. Panelcraft Sheet Metal Co. (?) 50-55

Note: The Nash-Healey production totaled 162 copies in 1953 (coupés and roadsters, both engine variants).

Racing

As early as 1949, Donald Healey's son Geoffrey Healey, with motor journalist Tommy Wisdom as co-driver, won a class at the Alpine rally. Two Silverstone started at the 1951 Grand Prix of Buenos Aires ( Argentina ) in the sports car class.

Le Mans

Model of the Nash-Healey Lightweight by Johnson / Wisdom, driven at the 1952 Le Mans 24 Hours

Jack Bartlett / Nigel Mann drove a Healey Elliott to 13th place in the 1949 Le Mans 24-hour race . Tony Rolt / Duncan Hamilton achieved a highly regarded 4th place in the final ranking at the 1950 event on a Silverstone Special with a Nash six-cylinder engine; the British team Nigel Mann / Mortimer Morris-Goodall came in 19th with a Healey Elliott . The greatest success was a 3rd place in the 24 hours of 1952 by the British team Leslie Johnson / Tommy Wisdom on a Nash-Healey Lightweight Barchetta with 4th place , 1 liter engine. In 1953 Leslie Johnson / Bert Hadley (GB) achieved 11th place with a Nash-Healey . Johnny Lockett (GB) / Maurice Gatsonides ( NL ) with an Austin-Healey 100 from Donald Healey Motor Company and fourteenth Marcel Becquart ( F ) / Gordon Wilkins (GB) with another Austin-Healey from the team were twelfth . In 1954 the Donald Healey Motor Company announced two teams, George Hunton (USA) / Ed Lunken (USA) and Ron Flockhart (GB) / Louis Chiron ( MC ). Both Austin-Healey arrived too late for the technical inspection and were not allowed to start. The 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans went down in history as the greatest disaster in motorsport . The Austin-Healey 100S of the British private team Lance Macklin ( Macklin / Les Leston ) with Macklin at the steering wheel was slowed down and when dodging the Mercedes-Benz of Pierre Levegh , which was then catapulted away and thrown into the crowd. 84 people were killed in the accident. The official accident report names a lack of safety precautions on the route as the cause.

Mille Miglia

In 1948 , the Donald Healey / Geoffrey Healey team finished 9th in the Mille Miglia in a Healey Westland that had been prepared by the factory . The Conte Giovannino Lurani / Guiglielmo Sandri team won the production car category with a Healey Elliott . At the 1949 Mille Miglia , Geoffrey Healey / Tommy Wisdom were overall tenth and winners in the touring car class with a Westland finish. The British Leslie Johnson and Bill A. McKenzie finished seventh in the 1952 event at Nash-Healey . The Americans John Fitch / Raymond Wilday started at Nash-Healey at the 1953 event , but had to give up.

closure

Healey built a total of around 850 automobiles; including over 500 Nash-Healey , 225 Tickford and 50–55 Austin-Healey 100S . Donald Healey closed his company in 1954 and went to BMC. When this was taken over by British Leyland in 1966 , he moved to Jensen Motors and worked on the development of the Jensen Healey . He died in 1988.

Trivia

Revival?

It happens quite often that attempts are made to revive automobile brands that have long since been discontinued . Bugatti , Maybach , Duesenberg , Stutz , Packard and even Austin-Healey are just a few examples. Apparently such a maneuver is now being attempted with Healey . In view of the many failed attempts at such endeavors, however, skepticism is warranted. Accordingly, Krish Bhaskar , a British man of Indian descent, is behind the project. The planned vehicle, of which a prototype is said to be shown soon , is a modern interpretation of the Austin-Healey 3000 and will cost around 37,000 euros. The Tempest should accelerate from zero to 100 km / h in less than five seconds and reach a governed top speed of 250 km / h. It is unclear whether Bhaskar, who is apparently also planning to reactivate the Riley (Coupé) and Wolseley ( SUV ) brands , even owns the trademark rights to Healey. The rights to Riley are with BMW and for Wolseley with the owners of MG Rover , the Nanjing Automobile Group .

Individual evidence

Rear of a Healey Silverstone D-Type from 1949
  1. ↑ a b ridedrive.co.uk (English)
  2. ↑ ridedrive.co.uk about Donald Healey (English)
  3. ↑ healey-classic.de (English)
  4. ↑ Gloor: Post-War Car. (1981), pp. 178-179.
  5. ↑ conceptcarz; Nash Ambassador 1953.
  6. ↑ conceptcarz; Nash-Healey 1952 + 1953.
  7. ↑ healeyowners.co.uk (English)
  8. ^ Culshaw / Horrobin: Complete Catalog of British Cars. P. 152 ("100") (English)
  9. ↑ a b c d e f g h http://www.healey-classic.de
  10. ↑ a b conceptcarz.com; Healey Westland
  11. ↑ a b c d e f healey-classic.de
  12. ↑ a b Gloor: Post-War Car, (1981), pp. 256-257.
  13. ↑ Culshaw / Horrobin: Complete Catalog of British Cars, p. 152 ("100") (English)
  14. ↑ conceptcarz.com; 1951 Nash Healey Le Mans
  15. ↑ a b c d e conceptcarz.com; Austin-Healey 100/4 (1953)
  16. ↑ a b c d e conceptcarz.com; Austin-Healey 100S (1955)
  17. ↑ a b c d e healeyowners.co.uk
  18. ↑ a b ridedrive.co.uk
  19. ↑ Nick Walker: A – Z of British Coachbuilders 1919–1960 . Shebbear 2007 (Herridge & Sons Ltd.) ISBN 978-0-9549981-6-5 , p. 200.
  20. ↑ History of Duncan Industries on www.marqueart.com (accessed April 21, 2017).
  21. ↑ healey-classic.de/sportsmobile
  22. ↑ carfolio.com/specifications
  23. ↑ coachbuild: Carrosseriefabriek PJ Pennock & Zonen
  24. ↑ howstuffworks.com; Austin-Healey sports car; 100/4
  25. ↑ a b c howstuffworks.com; Austin Healey sports car; 100/4
  26. ↑ a b 1000miglia.eu/General classification 1948.
  27. ↑ 1000miglia.eu/General classification 1949.
  28. ↑ 1000miglia.eu/General classification 1952.
  29. ↑ a b website AHCG Austin-Healey Club Germany

literature

  • Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader: The great automobile encyclopedia. BLV, Munich 1986, ISBN 3-405-12974-5 .
  • Roger Gloor: Post War Car. Edited by Automobil Revue. 2nd Edition. Hallwag AG, Bern / Stuttgart 1981, ISBN 3-444-10263-1 .
  • GN Georgano (Ed.): Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars, 1885 to the Present. 2nd Edition. Dutton Press, New York 1973, ISBN 0-525-08351-0 . (English)
  • GN Georgano: cars. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, 1975. (French)
  • David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars 1895-1975. Veloce Publishing PLC, Dorchester 1997, ISBN 1-874105-93-6 . (English)

Web links

Commons : Healey  - collection of images, videos and audio files