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11-14-2023, 05:17 AM
#1401
World Champion
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11-14-2023, 05:27 AM
#1402
World Champion
The Oldest Sprite in New Zealand, well it was in the 1980's AN5758 the 257th built
" 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.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 01-18-2024 at 04:47 AM.
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11-18-2023, 05:54 AM
#1403
World Champion
AH 100S in Australia 2005
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
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11-27-2023, 05:51 AM
#1404
World Champion
Small " Big " Healey's. added to the collection
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.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 11-29-2023 at 02:50 AM.
Reason: BMC/BL book ###47
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11-28-2023, 04:55 AM
#1405
World Champion
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11-29-2023, 06:08 AM
#1406
World Champion
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11-29-2023, 06:13 AM
#1407
World Champion
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12-02-2023, 05:19 AM
#1408
World Champion
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12-03-2023, 12:06 AM
#1409
World Champion
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12-08-2023, 06:02 AM
#1410
World Champion
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12-10-2023, 06:28 AM
#1411
World Champion
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12-12-2023, 01:10 AM
#1412
World Champion
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01-13-2024, 04:51 AM
#1413
World Champion
SU Carburetors - Every Austin Healey had two and some three.
Austin Healey had SU carbs from 1953 to the last Sprite in 1970,
- all had two ranging in size from Inch and an Eight for the first Sprites model AN5 to 2 inch for the last of the Big Healey's the AH 3000 model BJ8, only the 1961 - 62 AH 3000's had more than two, the 1961 - 62 cars were known as the Tri-carb model in AH circles.
This may help those who are taking them apart
- to make sure that you have not dropped any bits.
Taking them apart happened many times in my ownership of AH's and a TR4 and MGB GT, not forgetting 4 Mini's and three Austin A's - an A30 A35 and A40, over the years.
Thanks to Graham Woods for these images.
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01-17-2024, 05:21 AM
#1414
World Champion
A Non-Healey with Healey cnnections.
A Jensen 541 that was used by Donald Healey in 1964 - Did he have it when working with Jensen Motors on the Jensen Healey. ??
Image from Warren Kennedy archives - Warren is heavily involved with the restoration of Healey Cars - not just Austin Healey but " Healey " - pre the Austin connection.
DVLA papers for the car - looking old and tattered - a bit similar to NZ Registration Papers in NZ at the time.
Paul Ward archives;
Shows the Donald Healey Motor Company as Owner in 1964 - well before the Jensen Healey project, however DHMC did use Jensen's for body building.
.
As an aside " Donald was a strong supporter of Jensen's and raised the issue of their financial problems when the British Government was busy supporting De Lorean and his " Car " - Back to the Future !!
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 01-17-2024 at 05:24 AM.
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01-18-2024, 05:18 AM
#1415
World Champion
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01-18-2024, 09:10 PM
#1416
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01-19-2024, 06:01 AM
#1417
World Champion
But no wire wheels. - Allan !.
Originally Posted by
Allan
But no wire wheels.
Indeed, the Innocenti is on the steel wheels that the Bugeye and the early MK 2 Sprites had, with the drilled centres. Later wheels were plain - no holes.
- I remember Chris White bringing his just restored Bugeye to the Rally in Rotorua around 1980 and winning the best car, most original, - he then told me later that the wheels were Austin A40 ones with the holes drilled, by him !!.
The car in 1980 when it won the Concours..
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01-28-2024, 05:38 AM
#1418
World Champion
AH 3000 The John Rundle BJ8 on Steel Wheels
Most BJ8's and in fact many of the AH 3000 cars built had Wire Wheels, Steel Wheels were in the minority.
This car owned by John Rundle of Wellington for 40 years, 1969 -ish to 2009 was a rarity in the AH Club.
Came across this advert from NZ Classic Car in a 2009 issue, when John was selling the car.
Going back in History, I first saw the car and John and Anne Rundle at the AHCCNZ Rally at New Plymouth - Easter 1976.
John and President of the Club Mark Donaldson standing behind the car.
The car attended many Rally's and saw it again at Rotorua in 1980, was at other events but have no photos.
Bit of an error on my part - this is not the same car - is an early 3000 with sliding windows .. Oops.
Thanks to Ross Osborne of the AHCC NZ for advising me.
Wonder whose car ?? must find out.
I do know that John and Anne attended several Rallies in Rotorua, so need to check my photos.
Reading an old issue of NZ Classic Car, that I got from our local Library - would have been among the ones the I had from ERC and have passed on but don't recall it.
In the issue is a for sale advert - NZ CC September 2009.
The Cover of the issue #225 of NZ CC
Car is still on the plates it would have got when it came to New Zealand, as a new car in 1965.
" 1965
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: GREEN
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate: DT7061
Engine No: 29KRUH5897
Chassis: HBJ8-31283
CC rating: 2,912cc (2.9l)
Fuel Type: Petrol "
Plate History from Carjam - NZTA.
" DT7061
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: New
NZ First Registration: 25-Jun-1965 "
John was the 3rd owner, I wonder where it is now ?.
Last warrant on Carjam is 2014, however much recent data is not always available.
According to Ross Osborne the car is now in Christchurch.
Ross sent me these notes;
" The middle pic with the hardtop is not Johns car.
The BJ8 has been in Christchurch since John sold it.
Take care,
Ross W Osborne
Healey Registrar / Area Executive Otago/Southland
Austin-Healey Car Club of New Zealand Inc. "
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 02-06-2024 at 11:40 PM.
Reason: Notes added -from Ross Osborne ###47
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01-30-2024, 08:29 AM
#1419
World Champion
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02-07-2024, 06:35 AM
#1420
World Champion
Austin Healey 100 Six Registration VOK490 - a record breaker
The Austin Healey 100 Six Registration VOK490 was a BMC Works car that was taken to Montlhery in France to break long distance records in 1958.
A bit of the story from Rainer Jordan. and some photos.
" " In early 1958, Gyde Horrocks of the Cambridge University Automobile Club approached Marcus Chambers about attempting to break the really long distance Class D records that Healey had never attempted.
The CUAC had already achieved similar Class G success with an Austin A35 - Chambers agreed to provide them with a car and also a team of four Abingdon mechanics.
The record attempt was sponsored by Castrol and BP supplied the fuel.
The car was a left hand drive 1957 BN4, number BN4L-O- 36131, registered VOK 490 and equipped with the six port head. It was modified by the factory to rally specifications including a strengthened chassis to cope with the poor surface of the famous, banked Montlhery circuit located just south of Paris.
A 3.9:1 rear axle ratio was also fitted and the car ran on Dunlop Racing tyres.
Drivers were: Gyde Horrocks, John Clarke, Rupert Jones, Ray Simpson, Bill Summers, Arthur Taylor, Tom Threlfall,(also drove) Marcus Chambers.
All the crew including Drivers Mechanics Timing Crew and others.
Official photographer was A G Goodchild, so presumably his photos.
The car with the Drivers. - as listed above - had seen a Black and White photo - the same one.
The car at a Service stop
At speed during the attempt.
Photo from the Bill Price Book of " The BMC / BL Competitions Department ". photo A G Goodchild
Nearing the finish.
There is a New Zealand connection to this in its 3000 form as was purchased by Peter Riley BMC Works Driver and is now with his son Tim Riley - It featured in an NZ Classic Driver magazine in 2015, A story on the car and also on Peter Riley his exploits and his visit to New Zealand at that time.
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