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

[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.

[Roger Dowding]

another photo and sketches and an article from a magazine.



The evolution of the shape from AH 3000 with Hardtop to 3000 GT.





The Tintin story.

[Roger Dowding]

A famous Austin Healey 100,
- One of three imported by Seabrook Fowlds and originally raced by John Seabrook and Ross Jensen. It ran #16 at Ardmore with Ross Jensen but is better known with #46 as raced with Les and Bruce McLaren, with plate 346,239 up until June 1956 when it received a new plate, under the 5 yearly Plate issue.

The car was restored by Barry Clearwater and re- registered as 346239, Barry passed away and the car is still with the Clearwater Family and was on display with the Austin Healey Club 50th Anniversary Grand Tour in March April.
Car resides in Gore and has attended the Gore Branch VCC Hill Climb at Lumsden, using a unused piece of the SH6.

The car on display a couple of years ago. Photos by John Yelavich. They were attached in a link to an article on the car which appeared to be One Photos until you clicked on the photo and there were many more.











More to come, the other end of the car.
A few more Notes too, when I find them.

[Roger Dowding]

First plate was 346,239 and now is 346239.

NZ First Registration: 04-Dec-1953.

Recent Plate details
" Plates History
Plate Effective Date
346239 25-Jan-2005
CFH399 22-Nov-2004
"

Car was owned by Seabrook Fowlds and Ross Jensen drove it for them before he moved to the 100S and the 100 was sold to Les [ Pop ] McLaren in 1955.
Les competed in it at the NSCC run North Western Motorway Sprints in October 1955, that Bruce was also entered
- Bruce in the Bob Crisp " Standard-Ford Special ".

More photos from the collection of John Yelavich.









A photo from the Bruce " McLaren Trust " archives - taken at the Trust Display - copy from Rainer Jordan [ Photographer not stated ].



Barry Clearwater in action at Lumsden The Gore branch VCC Hill Climb - in 2017 - Rhys Nolan archives [ posted before ]

[Roger Dowding]

Some more of " Faminz " restoration.

The car is going - needs tuning but able to be driven on and off the transporter to the Upholsterers in Wellington.

Loading / unloading and travelling.





At the workshop - NA MX5 is a Small car !! not really Sprite is a " small car "



The interior and upholstery

The Drivers view



The Footwell with new carpet.



The boot space - remember no boot lid so access " From the Cockpit " - sounds like the Title of a Book - it was !!.



Thanks to Brett for sharing the photos.

Plates History :
Plate Effective Date
XE2121 29-Jun-1998
BD5874 02-Oct-1962
Registration Status: Get Report
Plate: XE2121
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: Re-Registeredℹ
NZ First Registration: 02-Oct-1962
NZ Last Registration: Get Report
Was Registered Overseas? No.

Car would have had a plate before the BD5874 issued in June 1964.
Was the car in NZ in 1959 - not known - Faminz may have the details.

Next post is about another AH a 100S - with history [ well they all have some ! ']
Make that next plus One - post after #1411,,

[Roger Dowding]

A story I had not known about.
A book by Richard Pape of his drive [ with a few co-drivers ] from Cape Cold [ in Northern Norway ]
to Cape Hot [ Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.].
All done in an Austin A90 Six Westminster with the " C " series 2639 cc motor seen in the -
Austin Healey 100 - Six
- and also appeared in the Morris Isis - the 6 cylinder version of the mid 1950's Morris Oxford.



The car is on display at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, it is next to a Works Austin Healey Rally Team 3000.



Map of the route on the car.





More to come, once I have read the book.
The car seen is the one that finished the journey but not the one that started in Northern Norway as it was crashed and the Norwegian BMC dealer gave them a replacement with the Norway Number Plate - as seen.

[Roger Dowding]

Knew the name but not the connection to Austin Healey until some information came to light recently - from 1955 - 56
George described briefly below.
" George Edgar Abecassis DFC (21 March 1913 – 18 December 1991) was a British racing driver, and co-founder of the HWM Formula One team. "

His competition driving with Donald Healey - pre BMC works - was at Mille Miglia in 1955.

" he drove a red Austin Healey 100S (AHS3804) very fast in the last "Rome section" to an outstanding position close to the speeds of Stirling Moss with the Mercedes SLR and finished 11th overall. "

George in the Austin Healey. Car was #700 - numbers related to start times so presume 7;00 pm.



Some History from Robert Visser archives ;





The car for sale in 1956.
An advertisement form Ship to Shore Motors.



AHS3804 is the chassis number but believed to have been built as a Special Test Car in 1953 SPL224B with Registration NOJ391. competing at Mille Miglia and at Le Mans earlier as a 100 not an " S ".
Information in the Geoff Healey Books, is confusing.

According to Geoff Healey first book " Austin Healey - the story of the Big Healeys " -
The prototype 100S with Lance Macklin and George Huntoon raced at Sebring in March 1954, Race #29.
That would have been OON441 Chassis number SPL258BN.

AHS3804 was sold through " Ship to Shore Motors " in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA to Ed Bussey Dispatched in November 1955

[Roger Dowding]

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.

[Roger Dowding]

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 !!

[Roger Dowding]

You need Wire Wheels for a Sprite, ask Donald Healey.



and they agree.



Otherwise for style go see an italian.



Innocenti styled and built, they also did versions of the Mini, and other BMC/Austin cars in the 1960's - 1970's.

[Allan]

But no wire wheels.

[Roger Dowding]

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..

[Roger Dowding]

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. "

[Roger Dowding]

Car show as part of Wings and Wheels at Thames Airfield last weekend.
The AH Club had 11 cars there 10 Austin Healey's and a Jensen Healey.

Photo from John Mitchinson, my neighbour and a former Thames local - he was also at school in Kiwitahi with Ken H's older brother also John, many years ago.

Cars viewed from the front RHS. Allan Horners Toyota powered Sprite at the front.



Cars from the side - Fred Fowler photo - his car " AWSTIN " a 3000 in the group.



Cars from the rear LHS - Fred Fowler photo.



Another event in the area is this. at Pahoia, Bay of Plenty, just off SH2
- about 3 km from Omokoroa - on a Farm at the end of the road.

A Picnic Day, - Car - Vehicle - Show for Locals. 18 February 2024
will feature Cars, Trucks, Fire Engines, and Motorcycles.


Last held in 2021 - cancelled in 2022 and in 2023 it was rained out before it could be held - hoping for better weather.



Advert from the Local Paper - " The Lizard ".
The publishers are Motorcycle enthusiasts and members of the " Ulysses ' Motorcycle ' Club ".

[Roger Dowding]

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.