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

AHCCNZ and Morgan Club had a visit to the great sheds at Ron Roycrofts property at Glen Murray.
A good group gathered and inspected the sheds, chatted with Ron and in the afternoon Ron and a few VCC guys had an impromptu Hill Climb.
Have posted photos before of the event - especially the Hill Climb, where Ron ran off the road in the RJR Special.

A group of photos by mate Ross Cammick have resurfaced on OLD NZ Motor Racing.
a couple I had seen before but some are new.

Grouping them all here, in view of the AH Club contingent, of which I was there with my Mate and later Flatmate Lyle Chambers, in the Mark 3 Sprite that had a recent engine rebuild=d with modifications a 649 camshaft - Cooper type modified cylinder head - ported and polished, the engine balanced [ pistons ] and was running a downdraft 40 DCD Weber carb and manifold, the carb a loan from Lyle's good mate Richard Leaper, it was off one of his Sunbeam cars from memory an Alpine.

Outside the main shed, with the AH cars Morgan and Reliant cars in the photo.

Attachment 78391

The Ross Cammick AH 3000 with Peter Nelligan white 3000 behind the other *** 100/Six or early 3000 not sure who.
Bill Povey was there, was it his car, unsure.

The other AH BY2899 - is a 1957 100 - Six
" 1957
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: Red
Body Style: Saloon
VIN:ⓘ
Plate:ⓘ BY2899
Engine No:ⓘ 33411
Chassis:ⓘ BN4533411
CC rating:ⓘ 2,300cc (2.3l)
Fuel Type:ⓘ Petrol "
It was NZ new in 1957 and last report on Carjam was in 2014, with the latest warrant of fitness in 2012.
The AH Club Registrar, Ross Osborne, may know more - I will inquire.

Inside the sheds - no Healeys, lots of Chevrolets and other cars.

The first few;

Attachment 78392

Lots of Hubcaps and other memorabilia - car bits.

Attachment 78393

The Man, himself, talking to Graham Kyle from the Morgan Club and another Guy, with Rons Ferrari, well one of them.

Attachment 78394

Old Chevrolets, there were a lot.
1930's and a 1960's model.

Attachment 78395

1920's Chevs

Attachment 78396

More photos to follow.

The gathering at Ron's Sheds at Glen Murray in 1979.
A few more photos;

Attachment 78397

Even a Beach Buggy in the collection.

Attachment 78398

Attachment 78399

Some of the AH Club boys looking at the Chev Racer. One of The Morgan fleet in front

Attachment 78400

The AH Club boys again.

Attachment 78401

Ron - the RJR Special - off the road, Ron standing beside the Car, he was fine. [ posted before ].

Attachment 78402

Road and Track - seen this before - unsure if posted already [ went back over the last 3 years and not seen ].

Attachment 78420

Attachment 78421

Like the format of the " Specifications " with R and T, with the image and all the dimensions, performance all summarised.

Attachment 78422

A well known 1959 model, BMC BOY - Ross Cammick car in NZ.

Attachment 78423

Photo by the owner at Caffeine and Classics a few years ago, the car is now back on Chrome Wire Wheels, 72 spoke. Ross has removed the Luggage rack off the boot as in the photo.

An Austin Healey 100 that had a lot of owners, didn't they all, but this one had a few well known people, Cliff Everson when with the 1961 64 plates so around 1963, Phil Neill, Mark Donaldson - in 1971, and others with the later plate IF4514.

First 3 photos from Alan Boyle - borrowed with permission and sent on to Mark Donaldson
Cliff repainted the car early on - was Red when he bought it and Blue with a Hardtop made by Cliff in white

Attachment 78456

Attachment 78457

Attachment 78458

The photo with a Sprite from around the time Mark got the car in 1971.

Attachment 78459


Photo with the Original 1964 issue plate BU1629 - by it is understood Colin Heasley.

Attachment 78460

The photos B and W with the plate IF4514 show the drilled brake drums as done by Phil Neill - Mark Donaldson archives
Mark " added to the story and provided details of the IF4514 images from a Grass Gymkhana / Sprint in 1978 at Keith Davies Farm - Keith was a family connection of Frank Karl. "

Attachment 78461

Photo with " IF4514 show the drilled brake drums as done by Phil Neill " in next post as hit 6 photos.

Car is still around BN1159475. Images of the car have appeared before and at one stage some confusion over the REG BU1629 / IF4514 and the Chassis #159475.

More to come.

IF4514 - showing the " drilled brake drums " and with a A frame to be towed - the AHCC Club Guy name I do not know - must ask Mark Donaldson. another Ross Cammick photo.

Mark noted that the sidelights on the front are Hella - aftermarket as unable to find originals easily at the time - early 1970's.
I note in one of the Cliff Everson - Alan Boyle photos it is missing a lens cover for the drivers side front sidelight.

Reg Whittaker of 100 - 8 fame owned the Humber Sceptre beside the Healey. remember that car well.

Attachment 78462

Registration / Chassis details form Carjam.

" IF4514 replaced with BU1629 "

" Year: 1954
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: Red
Body Style: Sports Car
VIN:ⓘ
Plate:ⓘ IF4514
Engine No:ⓘ
Chassis:ⓘ 159475
CC rating:ⓘ 2,500cc (2.5l)
Fuel Type:ⓘ Petrol "

" Plates History
Plate Effective Date
BU1629 23-Jul-1996
IF4514 04-Mar-1977 "

Plate BU1629.

" Plate:ⓘ BU1629
Plate Type: Personalised
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
NZ First Registration: 04-Mar-1977 ".

Looking again at this photo - the plate looks very clean - is it the personalised [ the recent silver/grey on black style ] or the 1964 original ? Date of photo not known, I do note it has a orange Registration Sticker. They were issued in 1966 - 67, 1974 - 75, a yellow one was issued in 1970 - 71.

Attachment 78463

Car has the AH correct style sidelights but appears to be painted " Black ".

Been a while since a post on this thread, no access for a few weeks

Alan Boyle - wrote the story and posted the photos of AH 100 Chassis BN1159475 with 1961 - 64 plates 219.409, later with plate BU1629 in 1964 and IF4514 in 1977, now back to BU1629.

" Alan wrote,
" I posted this (accidentally) as a reel.. there is quite a story behind this which may take instalments..
It’s my mate Cliff Everson’s first sports car a Healey 100 4 cyl 3 spd..
in car is Ron Brown .. the lovely girl is Carol Cowan from Wellington, we’d met Carol’s family while camping at Rotorua the Xmas of 1962 this photo is Easter 1963 we 4 guys Including George Johnson & I had decided to do a road trip and camp on the Cowan’s lawn. In the Hutt valley..
The weather was exceptional, the harbour a millpond. Does anyone recognise the ship behind us think I it may be the Lyttleton Ferry ?
Later that year Cliff decided to fabricate an Aluminium hard top for the Healey starting with a flat sheet he hand wheeled and beat this classy top with sliding side windows and a wide rear window .. then painted the car Twilight Turquoise with an Oyster white roof..
Eventually Cliff sold this Healey and owned a progression of TR 2 TR3 TR4 Daimler Dart SP250 possibly others I lost count he did roll a TR and miraculously survived uninjured.
Much later in life, in semi-retirement living at Kaukapakapa he found the original Healey 100 4 and purchased it .. it was rather sad but Cliff stripped it back to bare steel and finished it in his fastidious manner back to original red with real leather trim .. he sold it on eventually..
Some years ago I think this same Healey became part of Mark Donaldson’s collection, if so it will be in good hands..
Sadly our buddy Cliff died in May 2008 of Lung Cancer .. "

The mention of George Johnson is interesting as the photo of the car - as repainted by Cliff Everson and with some slightly bent grille bars -, is his - the photo in Mark Donaldson archives.

Photo in earlier posted shown again.

Attachment 78468

This is what I thought happened.

" The Carjam details - at one stage the chassis number ' 159475 was incorrect - a couple of numbers reversed [ 159745 ]and Carjam brought up the AH 100 with plate IF4514. "

It turns out it is the same car, that has reverted to BU1629 Plate as a Personalised one.

Still looking for more photos - details - of the BN1.

Bill Dunster owned the car with NZ Permanent Plate " BL5463 " - which would have been issued in 1964 -
The car is a two seater BN7 and they are a rare model - Chassis HBN75439.

Raced at The October 1965 Gold Leaf 3 Hour Race - the first Race - held before the Wills Six Hour Race for Production Saloons.
The 3 hour race had entry of Factory Modified Saloons Mini Cooper S 1275 cc / Lotus Cortina 1558 cc and Sports Cars a sole Austin Healey 2912 cc of Bill Dunster and three Daimler SP250 2548 cc plus a Honda S600 Coupe of Feo Stanton - the smallest car in the field against the 4639 cc [ 4.7 litre ] Ford Mustang Notchback of Ivan Segedin [ The Fleetwood Mustang - as it was later known ]

The Entry List for 1965 Gold Leaf 3 Hour Challenge Race.

Attachment 78477

The car in the " paddock " area at Pukekohe Race #21 - photo from Rhys Nolan archives.

Attachment 78478

The car raced at Levin in November 1965 where it had an accident loosing a front wheel and doing a lot of damaged.

Entry List from the Levin November 1965 meeting - Race #32

Attachment 78479

After the accident - a couple of photos. Ross Cammick archives

Attachment 78480

Attachment 78481

The car was subsequently repaired in 1967 and went through a couple of owners including Gary Reed, before finishing up with Ross Cammick in 1973, who still has it today.

The as rebuilt car in 1973

Attachment 78482

The car was later fully restored by Ross Cammick and since improved by Ross - has been posted on here before.

Current Plate is " HL3000 " which was issued in the late 1970's when many Austin Healey people got " H* 3000 " plates for their 3000's - HA3000 HE3000 HY3000 amongst others.

" Plates History
Plate Effective Date
HL3000 28-Sep-1964
Registration Status:ⓘ Get Report
Plate:ⓘ HL3000
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: New
NZ First Registration: 28-Sep-1964
NZ Last Registration: Get Report
Was Registered Overseas? No "

The 100 Six had a bit of a History in New Zealand.

The car is described as an Austin Healey 100 SIX MM - a special version of the 100 SIX known as the " Mille Miglia ". They came with a Hardtop as standard

The Car came to in in 1963 - according to Carjam but is described as " NZ new " and " not Registered Overseas " ? and had plate AZ9289 - issued in July 1964 in Tauranga.
Car left New Zealand in 2001 as sold overseas.

The Chassis number " BN75767 " - does not appear correct as a 100 Six would be BN4 or BN6, produced from 1956 to 1957 when the BN7 and BT7 AH 3000's were introduced. The Engine number is also 75767 ? Could just be a typing - recording error.

" 1959
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY 100/6
Colour: Red
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate: HY1006
Engine No: 26DRU75767
Chassis: BN75767
CC rating: 2,639cc (2.6l)
Fuel Type: Petrol "

" HY1006
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: New
NZ First Registration: 13-Dec-1963
Cancellation Date Of Registration: 26-Apr-2001
NZ Last Registration:
Cancellation Reason: Vehicle permanently removed from New Zealand "

Car was owned by Mark Donaldson in the early/mid 1970's. It was at the TACCOC Trial in September 1976 the AHCCNZ Rally in New Plymouth at Easter 1977 and at other AHCCNZ events when White with a Black Hardtop.
Later the car became Red as noted on Carjam after being repaired/restored and sold by Duane Reed in the 1980's [ 1987 ].

A couple of new photos have emerged of the car from AHCC archives and Mark Donaldson - one photo from Les Meggett archives.

Working on the Carbs on the Car, l - R - Lyle Chambers, Mark Donaldson under the bonnet and Clive Carter - at Domett Ave in 1973.

Attachment 78508

The car at a Concours run by AHCCNZ mid 1970's

Attachment 78509

The car for sale in 1987 - by now painted Red

Attachment 78510

The car even featured in a photo in the Centre page of the TACCOC Magazine in October 1976 after competing in their Winter Trial, which was won Overall by AHCCNZ - myself coming First, however TACCOC took 2nd 3rd and 4th and the Club Prize.

Attachment 78511

The Trial Results and Entrants details - Car Club etc.

Attachment 78512

A couple more photos have emerged from Ross Cammick " BMC BOY " archives.

The " Ron Roycroft Raid " of 1979.

One I knew about - the Chev Racer amongst " our " cars, My Sprite, A Daimler SP250 and a few Morgans.

The AH Club gathered for the run down - as seen in the first photo. HL3000 is the Ross Cammick 3000 BN7.

Attachment 78521

The " Chev Racer " with the group of AH Morgan and others.

Attachment 78522


These photo were among a Dozen photos from Snowmass 1982,
- elsewhere on the Healey trip 1982
- an incident in New Zealand in 1983 / 84 -
That were sent to me today - images to follow on further posts.

On the Road - Have had a photo of driving with Walt Glendenning in his BN6 - 100 Six for many years - since about 1982.

As we start to pass - well actually Ross passed us, in, I think, Hans Nohr AH 3000

Attachment 78524

Attachment 78523

alongside - the original photo.

Attachment 78525

Must have eased off - or was this on approach ??

Attachment 78526

The car was two tone Red - a feature on several Southern California cars, Alfie Artuso had his in two variations of Silver - Grey

Walt had a similar photo on his Business Card for " Absolutely British ".

Attachment 78527

Sadly by the time I revisited the USA in mid 1988 - [ August September ] Walt had passed away from a Motorcycle accident, as Ken Hyndman knows as he knew Walt, Hans Nohr and Eric Grunden who was Walt's apprentice Mechanic back in 1982. - small world.

The Austin Healey 100S was a Special version of the AH 100 created in 1955, were 50 Customer Cars - built for Racing, there were also 5 Works cars - derived from 1953 and 1954 Special Test Cars and others used by DHMC from 1953 onwards.

The first Motorsport event for the 100S was at the Sebring, Florida event - the " 12 Hour Grand Prix of Endurance " for Sportscars.

A photo of the Austin Healey pits taken from above has been posted.
Recently, I came across a slightly different version of the photo in a Book I have owned for many years
" AMERICAN RACING - Road Racing in the 50's and 60's "
- The book is in 3 languages English, German and French, with photos by Tom Burnside and Text by Denise McCluggage
- [ McCluggage a well known racing driver of the period 1950's 60's in the USA ]

The photo - from Clas Arleskar archives - photographer not stated but presume Tom Burnside - how it was taken is a mystery as no apparent Tower by the Pits Start Finish.

Attachment 78545

The photo and notes from the book; double page. Notice that some of people have moved.
Car #44 was the Stirling Moss / Lance Macklin DHMC works car

Attachment 78546

Crop of the photo - similar to the original 1st photo above

Attachment 78547

One of the other 100S cars was #45 the Brewster / Rutan car - in the better known colours White/Ivory over Lobelia Blue. here with #44 right behind S Moss driving #44 car.

Attachment 78548

Cover of the Book " AMERICAN RACING ". Published in 1996.

Attachment 78549

Sebring 1955 - the Programme Cover.

Attachment 78550

Austin Healey Entrants for the 12 Hour Sebring race - were private entries in the " New " - " Austin Healey 100S " with AHS chassis numbers.
A sole Donald Healey Motor Company works entry for Stirling Moss and Lance Macklin an SPL Chassis number was entered.
There were also Austin Healey 100 and 100M models - all private entries, including one from Nassau, Bahamas.

The AHS cars were the cars that had recently arrived in the USA. having been dispatched from " The Cape " the DHMC factory in February 1955. The other 100s as noted was the works car.

- AH 100S cars.
AHS3501 Car #40 - Driven by Herbert AH Cook Lansing and Geo Rand
AHS3502 Car #41 A - of Fergus - it was a Did Not Start car - and AH 100 Car #41 of Bill Milliken did enter.
AHS3503 Car #43 - Jas F Ferguson of Toronto
AHS3504 Car #42 - Jack [ Jackie ] Cooper and Roy Jackson - Moore
AHS3505 Car #46 - Fred F Allen and Gus Ehrman
AHS3506 Car #45 - William Brewster and Chas T Rutan
SPL258BN Car #44 - DHMC - Stirling Moss and Lance Macklin.

- AH 100M cars

Car #38 of Joseph Gullbardo
Car #39 of W Wellenberg - Wm Wonder

- AH 100 cars
Car #41 of Bill Milliken - with Les Smalley
Car #49 of Sir Sidney Oakes, to be driven by Sidney Oakes / Lady Oakes / Juan Fernandez. This is the car from Nassau.

Names in bold the Entrants incl DHMC.

Car #49 is seen in the Pit scene - previous post among the Austin A40 cars in the paddock area.

Entry List part of the Class D entrants - the Austin Healey cars - as noted in bold.

Attachment 78555

There was also Austin Healey entries in the Reserves including Bill Milliken which became #41.

Attachment 78556

Map of the track - from the Programme. from Ken H archives - seen before.

Attachment 78557

4 of the 100S cars before shipping to the USA - arch AH - seen before.

Attachment 78558

The Castriol Books were published from the mid 1950's - had a few from 1960's in my teenage years - sadly gone.

The BMC Works Austin Healey cars - mainly the 100 Six and 3000s appeared on the covers several times.

Here the front cover the 1965 Edition - photo taken from a BMC Cooper S Rally car. Archive not known.

Attachment 78584

Back cover from an earlier edition with URX727 a 100 Six which was usually Pat Moss / Ann Wisdom car. - late 1950's - 1960s - Paul O'Neill archives

Attachment 78585

The closest I get to seeing the car is in small scale 1;43 by Corgi. Same Rally number #76,

Attachment 78586

AH 100 - 1954 model Chassis BN1159498 - NZ Plates 62.539 BE4131 ID9783 LX100.

The Austin Healey 100 that was my car from May 1982 until sold in March/April 1995.

A lot of information had been archived on this car which the current Register Secretary in the Austin Healey Car Club of New Zealand holds.

I have been sent this by Ross Osborne the AHCCNZ Registrar which provide a lot of the history of the car - who owned it and when.

Included in the information is the Register form that I completed in 1988 while owning the car, something I had forgotten about.
Registrar of the time Les Meggett had kept the information and also did a Motor Vehicle Registration search back in the day before the " Privacy Act " prevented such information being passed on to an inquirer.

AHCCNZ Register form dated 1988
Copy of Registration Certificate as issued in the 1966/67 year.
AHCCNZ Register form as updated / completed in August 2025.

" Year: 1955
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: Red
Body Style: Saloon
VIN:ⓘ
Plate:ⓘ LX100
Engine No:ⓘ 1B214676
Chassis:ⓘ BN1159498
CC rating:ⓘ 2,500cc (2.5l)
Fuel Type:ⓘ Petrol
-
Plates History
Plate Effective Date
LX100 20-May-1977 " This was the date of the plate ID9783 when owned by Roy Cooney when he got the car back on the road - after a long absence, Plate BE4131 had been cancelled many years before - previous owner was Charles Matthews in November 1965

NZ Plates 62.539 BE4131 ID9783 LX100.

NZ Number Plate 62.539 - the 1961 to 1964 issue
NZ Number Plate BE4131 - the 1964 issue - first permanent plate.
NZ Number Plate ID9783 - the plate issued in 1977 when the car was returned to the road
NZ Number Plate LX100 - the plate requested from Motor Vehicle Registration back in the days before personalised plates.
You had to have a reason for wanting a new plate as selected by you from futures releases.
The usual reason was that the existing plate was damaged, so when getting the new plate you took a hammer to the existing plate(s) if they needed it.

Looking for details on the 1956 - 61 issue and the first NZ plate issued in 1955 - the 1951 - 56 issue.

AHCCNZ Register form; 2025.

Attachment 78606

some minor details need correcting = dates added.
Sadly Lance Eliott passed away some years ago - I do not know what has happened to the car and not seen in any photos at AHCCNZ events recently.
Lance was well known as the restorer of Historic Speedway Midget Racing Cars.

Last inquiry on Carjam, LTSA was in October 2014 - last Warrant January 2014.

A photo of the car when in my ownership.

When first purchased photo from late 1982

Attachment 78599

After a repaint and body tidy-up in late 1983. Wayne Brown [ RIP ] from Oregon USA at the 1984 Napier AHCCNZ Rally.

Attachment 78600

Photo late 1980's at the AHCCNZ Otaua Hill Climb, I was Secretary of the meeting organising the MANZ Permit the Franklin County Road Closure before the event and taking the Postal Entries prior to the event, then acting as a Marshall

Attachment 78601

More on the History of the car to come, once I have scanned the documents I have been sent.

AH 100 - 1954 model Chassis BN1159498 - NZ Plates 62.539 BE4131 ID9783 LX100. Part Two

The Certificate of Particulars of a Registered Motor Vehicle for BE4131 - previously 62.539 issued in July 1967 - the 1966 /67 licence year.
It has all the owners from the cars first registration 17th October 1955 to the current owner at the time purchased 26th November 1965.

Attachment 78611

Attachment 78612

The Certificate of Particulars of a Registered Motor Vehicle for ID9783 previously BE4131 issued in 1984 showing the three owners since the Re-Registration in 1977 - the Registration BE4131 had lapsed in the 1972 / 73 year and the file had been destroyed.

Attachment 78613

The letter written 11th January 1984 regarding the lapsed " registration plates number BE4131 ".
The registration lapsed having not been relicensed since the 1972 / 73 year.

Attachment 78614

Austin Healey Car Club of New Zealand Inc - Register form for a " Big Healey " as completed by myself 26 January 1988

Attachment 78615

Attachment 78616

A good archive to have for the owner of the car.

Richard H Mayor, of Portland Oregon attended the recent ABFM in Portland Oregon, taking a 1952 MK VII Jaguar to two Austin Healey 3000 BN7, Race #466 that was his race car in West Coast Historic meetings for many years, car was sold in 2024.

Here from " Dick on Wheels " archives some " old " photos of the Car and the Jaguar, together with a couple of the car in its livery when Richard raced it and as displayed at the All British Field Meet.

Over the years a few Kiwi's have attended ABFM events in the USA and as a result we brought the idea back to NZ in 1982 and began to run them. initially at The Domain where the original Auckland Concours was held, and later at Western Springs. The event was the forerunner of the " Brit - Euro " meeting run today in Howick.

The racer - on track with Richard - event not stated.

Attachment 78685

Attachment 78686

The car in its TEAM HEALEY - USA livery

Attachment 78687

On the road, in tow, attending a Historic event

Attachment 78688

On display at the ABFM, last weekend.

Attachment 78690

- in the pits - with Jaguar in 1996.

Attachment 78689

Thanks Richard for the photos

Photos of the Racing at Portland International Raceway [ PIR ], held in conjunction with the All British Field Meet [ ABFM ].

Photos by Ken Morton who wrote;
" A few photos from the Columbia River Classic last weekend at Portland International Raceway along with the All British Field Meet. "

Attachment 78704

Attachment 78705

Attachment 78706

Attachment 78707

Notes from Ken Morton, who attended the event;
" Richard did not have a good day. #466 was entered in the Giant Slalom, which is a one-car-at-a-time nominally low-risk competition. Something went awfully wrong at the spin-cone and he went head-on into the guardrail... I don't believe Richard was badly injured, but the car appeared to be badly damaged. "

Attachment 78708

Rex Urban a Healey Guy from Oregon that I also met in 1982 was at the ABFM PIR meeting and also saw the damaged 3000 #466, here being loaded onto the trailer after the incident.
A sad end to a good meeting by what I have read / heard.

Attachment 78709

Prior to the incident the car had won a banner while on display

Another Historic photo of AH 3000 Race #466 on tow - Richard Mayor archives.

Attachment 78710

The car on display at another event, with another Healey beside it - in front - photo by Jerry Luidahl from Oregon

Attachment 78711

Photo of the car where the incident occurred at PIR on the weekend - photo Ken Morton, sent to me.

Attachment 78712

Poster for the event.

Attachment 78713

" UOC741 - The first " Works " Austin Healey 100 Six " a bit more.

Austin Healey BN4 100 Six - Chassis BN4 51138

Going through my archives and the details of the 100S and the Special Test and Works cars Chassis numbers as in the Geoff Healey Book " Healey - The Specials ".

Came across UOC741 among the Special Test Cars

Attachment 78769.

Have a model of the car in its #414 which was indicated as its 1957 Tulip Rally form was also #264 in a model as the Monte Carlo Rally car in 1958.
Have an image of the car as #414 with a cut down windscreen in the 1957 Mille Miglia - 4;14 would have been the start time I understand.

#414 The Model - my collection

Attachment 78770

#264 The Monte Carlo Rally 1958 - not mine

Attachment 78771

#414 at the Mille Miglia - with Tommy Wisdom and Ces Winby - Tommy was a great friend of Donald Healey - the wrote the first book on the " Austin Healey " together

Attachment 78772

The Book - my copy has no cover - found this online.

Attachment 78773

" Spridget " the term for the AH Sprite and MG Midget from 1961 onwards.;

An MG Midget Mark I, same as the Austin Healey Sprite Mark II, with the Syd Enever and other mods to the " Bug - Frog-Eye Sprite of 1958 to 1961.
Never owned a whole Midget but did have 4 Sprites.

This is an MG Midget Mk I for sale in the UK GBP 3250 with a Williams and Pritchard one piece nose [ bonnet and front shroud ].
Looks good, and how hard ? to make it the " Sprite " version - already has " Austin " on the rocker cover.
- [ Too far away, haven't got the readdies, - Lotto Wednesday night !! - and maybe too old for another project ]

The " Spridget ".
From the front with that stylish bonnet / shroud - would be lift up too - presume from the front. Has side catches behind the wheel-arch.
All photos from Henrick Hansson - who was thinking of buying it.

Attachment 78912

From the rear with no badges - which is it ?

Attachment 78913

The Engine - " Austin " plate on the Rocker Cover and a single " large " SU - should be twin 1 inch and quarter, so maybe a 2 Inch - huge.
BMC/BL did the same with the 1275GT Mini Clubman in the late 1970's a Mini Cooper S 1275 motor but with a Single SU instead of twins - owned one - great little rocket.

Attachment 78914

From the archives, my Austin Healey Sprite, the third one, with part of an MG Midget in the background, bought 1/2 a car for parts - Fuel tank, Back Axle with half shafts to " restore " the butchered Mk 1 ex Canada.
Seen here in 1979 / 80 with an old friend John Rye, hard at work. - my photo

Attachment 78915

Sprite MG MG together, a B a Midget and a Sprite - Greerton Spring Festival Show and Car gathering in 2017. - my photo

Attachment 78916

Would like any of the cars, but getting a bit hard to get into - and out of them, these days !! -

Thanks TRS people for following the Austin Healey Story on here;.

No recent photos so here is one that hasn't been seen before. A painting by Rich Massie, member for many years of the AH Club of Oregon. It is in the possession of Paul Rogers, whom I met in 1982 on the big Healey trip.
It is autographed by Geoffrey Healey, - signed in 1986 - who made a number of visits to AH Clubs in the USA, especially West Coast meetings, plus of course the Big One.
" 30th Anniversary of the Austin Healey " at Snowmass, Colorado - which features a lot on this thread.

Attachment 78917

Sebring 1962: 3-Hour race ;
Notes and photos - archives Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird.
" Sebring 1962: 3-Hour race. The drivers line up for the 'Le Mans' type start. Nearest the camera we have Stirling Moss, with Steve McQueen, Innes Ireland and Pedro Rodriguez behind in line astern.

Their respective alloy-bodied Mk.II Sprites - 9254WD, 9251WD, 9252WD and 9253WD sit waiting opposite. "

The start photo;

Attachment 78922

The Sprite 9251WD 2nd in line was driven by Steve McQueen.
a few photos;

Attachment 78923

Attachment 78924

a poor image with another of the team Sprites beside.

Attachment 78925

The Sprite 9252WD [ the Innes Ireland car at Sebring ] was sold later and is here in 1964 driven by John Fenwick at a Hill Climb - believed to be Great Auclam.

Attachment 78926
- another J Whitehouse-Bird archive image.

The Three Hour race was for smaller Sports Cars - under 1500cc I understand [ to be confirmed ] and was held ahead of the 12 Hour Race - known as the Florida 12 Hour Grand Prix of Endurance - for Sports Cars.

More to come on the background of these cars - especially 9252WD.

Notes and photos from Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird.

" Privateer John Fenwick competing at the 1964 and 1965 Western-Super-Mare speed trials, in the ex-works Healey, alloy-bodied, Mk.II Sprite - 9252WD.

Sadly, not much is known about John Fenwick, or the circumstances surrounding his purchase of 9252WD.
- Healeys were usually quite choosy as to who purchased their cars.

The last known recorded 'sighting' of John driving 9252WD, was on 23rd July 1966, at the 5th Valance Hill Climb, organised by the Sevenoaks & District Motor Club. Thereafter, the Sprite, seemingly, disappears without a trace, until a few parts (one alloy door, a pair of adjustable rear shocks, a LSD, and the 1,098 c.c. XSP engine from 1963), inexplicably surface during the 1990s. "

The 1964 Sprints - at Western, must be a bit like the Brighton Speed Trials on the waterfront Concourse.

Attachment 78935

1965 on the startline.

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Family connection with " Western-Super-Mare " my Dad came from there in 1929, to New Zealand.

Next up another of the Sebring Team cars - 9254WD at Nurburgring in 1963.

9254WD

" Nurburgring 1000 Km. race 1963: The Donald Healey Motor Co Ltd enter the alloy-bodied Mk.II Sprite - 9254WD - with drivers Clive Baker and Christabel Carlisle.

Christabel later spoke of her drive:

“There was immense relief at having completed each lap safely, and seeing friendly faces as one watched for the pit signal. Another fleeting glimpse of them as one drove past again at the back of the pits, then out on one’s own again for the next fourteen miles.
There were awful ‘moments’ when I thought I had had it, but there were also the rewarding instances when I passed other cars. Somehow it had never entered my head that so small a car as a Sprite could pass anything in a big International race like this, but as I sailed past the odd Porsche or Jaguar I really felt immensely proud of the little Sprite, whose oil pressure and water temperature were as steady as a rock, and whose engine note never faltered.”

At the end, 9254WD finished second in class, and more impressively, seventeenth overall. The only cars ahead of them were seven Ferraris, four Porsches, a Lotus Elite, a Renault Alpine, two Dick Jacobs M.G. Midget coupes and an E-type Jaguar. "

- script from Jonathan Whitehouse-Bird, photos from his vast archives - posted on the " Sebring Sprite " Facebook group - worth a visit / look.

The photos;

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In the pits

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On track -who is driving ?

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Christabel Carlisle - a very capable driver, according to Clive Baker.

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Came across this image again - where the story starts with the 1962 Sebring Races the 3 hour for the Sprite Team of 4 and the 12 hour for the Big Healey 3000 cars.

All the cars on a Transporter. the plate 54FAC was part of the Team including 57FAC and others

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DHMC and BMC had quite a history at Sebring going back to the early 1950's - 1954 on and the 100S major effort in 1955, along with 100M and just 100 models.

Nurburgring 1000km Race 1963 - Mk.II Sprite - 9254WD.

Another photo - Johnathan Whitehouse-Bird archives.

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Hopefully more will emerge !

Came across these photos from Brian Coulter a BC Club Member since the 1970's.
It was the first photo, so I asked the question was Nell Holdstock there
- [ later Nell Donaldson - who came to live in NZ in the mid 1980's ].

Photo of the group on a trip to Vancouver Island - late 1970's as noted in the caption.

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The answer was yes - and this photo.

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The Austin Healey 3000 is the Tri-carb model - produced only in 1961 - 62 before the reverted again to twin SU carburetors.
I have a couple of photos of the car in the USA / Canada in the 1980's [ the 1982 trip ] and several in New Zealand since.

Nell brought the car to New Zealand around 1984 / 85 ** - First Registered in NZ 28 September 1984 - and it has stayed here since.

" LU9368
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: New
NZ First Registration: 28-Sep-1984 "

I last saw it at Tauranga in late March 2023 during the " 50th Anniversary of the Austin Healey Club of New Zealand Grand Tour ".

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A view from the rear is appropriate as have several photos taken like that. this 14 Sept 1982.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

" Privateer John Fenwick competing at the 1964 and 1965 Western-Super-Mare speed trials, in the ex-works Healey, alloy-bodied, Mk.II Sprite - 9252WD.

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The car alongside is Ashley Cleave in his Morris Special. That car still exists and in good hands.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

Attachment 78935

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The other car is the Morris Special of Cornishman Ashley Cleave. The car still exists and is in good hands.

From a recent post. #1506
" Came across these photos from Brian Coulter a BC Club Member since the 1970's.
It was the first photo, so I asked the question was Nell Holdstock there
- [ later Nell Donaldson - who came to live in NZ in the mid 1980's ].

Photo of the group on a trip to Vancouver Island - late 1970's as noted in the caption. "

Contacted Bran Coulter who had posted some more photos from the Vancouver Island trip and also sent me photos of meeting(s) at Eugene, Oregon and also some entitled West Coast Meet.

Brian has a 1962 AH 3000 Tri-carb that has been in the family a long time - unsure whether the car is in the photos but a Dennis Coulter is.

The AH Clubs in Oregon State, Washington State and British Columbia attended the " West Coast Meets " as they called them going back into the 1970's

Will gradually publish to 20 or so photos I have acquired.

For the moment, a photo of Donald Healey at a " West Coast Meet " - with a Lady - the Lady I do not know who ?
The location the photo note says " Van Isl " - so presume at a Vancouver island event in the late 1970's
The 3000 has a California plate

Attachment 78965

As more details come to hand - people in the photos, owners of cars etc will add to the comments.

AH Clubs Oregon State, Washington State and British Columbia " West Coast Meet ".

More photos from the Vancouver Island event; - photos Brian Coulter produced in his " Valhalla Images " name.

Brian was there with his father Dennis Coulter who is seen the earlier photo [ post #1506 ] of the two Healeys and people when they set off.

Attachment 78970

The Concours line up all the noses -some bonnets up.

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The cars at a Beach

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Gathered near a Tavern - Schooner Restaurant ? Healey people like food and beer / wine - fuel for the people. The 100M on the right owned by a Glen Cooper, the two tone 100 appears in the next photo.

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A 100 -

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More to come as I gather details on the cars and people.