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

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

Attachment 75612

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

Attachment 75608

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It is on

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

Attachment 75611

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

" 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.

Attachment 75613

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.

Attachment 75614


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.

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.

Attachment 75637


Link to the Video - hope it works.

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

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.].

Attachment 75704

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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.

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
Attachment 75710

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

Tyres
Attachment 75711

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.
Attachment 75712

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

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

another photo and sketches and an article from a magazine.

Attachment 75722

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

Attachment 75723

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The Tintin story.

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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.

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

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.

Attachment 75753

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Attachment 75756

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

Attachment 75757

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

Attachment 75758

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.

Attachment 75790

Attachment 75791

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

Attachment 75792

The interior and upholstery

The Drivers view

Attachment 75793

The Footwell with new carpet.

Attachment 75794

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

Attachment 75795

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,,

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.

Attachment 75801

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

Attachment 75802

Map of the route on the car.

Attachment 75803

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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.

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.

Attachment 75812

Some History from Robert Visser archives ;

Attachment 75813

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

Attachment 75815

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

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.

Attachment 75894

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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.

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.

Attachment 75904

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.

Attachment 75905.

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 !!

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

Attachment 75906

and they agree.

Attachment 75907

Otherwise for style go see an italian.

Attachment 75908

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

But no wire wheels.

Quote:

---

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 !!.

Attachment 75909

The car in 1980 when it won the Concours..

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.

Attachment 75935

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.

Attachment 75936

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.

Attachment 75937

The Cover of the issue #225 of NZ CC

Attachment 75938

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. "

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.

Attachment 75944

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

Attachment 75945

Cars from the rear LHS - Fred Fowler photo.

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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.

Attachment 75947

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

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.

Attachment 75972

The car with the Drivers. - as listed above - had seen a Black and White photo - the same one.

Attachment 75973

The car at a Service stop

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At speed during the attempt.

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Photo from the Bill Price Book of " The BMC / BL Competitions Department ". photo A G Goodchild

Attachment 75976

Nearing the finish.

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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.

Fred Fowler must have upgraded to the Awstin.

Attachment 75978

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic

Fred Fowler must have upgraded to the Awstin.

Attachment 75978

---

Must send that to him, Milan, brilliant !!

Have sent Fred a copy - he appreciated it,

Cheers
Roger

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic

Some magnificent photos in this article.

Attachment 67139

---

Picking this up from Milan's post in 2020 #1060.
Must be two articles in " Supercar Classics " Magazine from 1989. on Austin Healey and the Healey's -
A " Geoffrey Healey Interview " also features.

Have not seen the Magazine.

Recently dug out an N Z Classic Driver Magazine from 2015 Issue #60 - May - June 2015- which features two AH articles, one on VOK490 the Record Breaking LHD 100 Six, from 1958 that became a works 3000 Rally and Race Car in 1960,
As mentioned the car is in New Zealand and was owned by the late Peter Riley, and is now with his son Tim Riley.
Peter Riley was interviewed while in New Zealand to visit his son and family in 2015 by Tony Haycock for NZ Classic Driver and was met by some AH Club people including Malcolm Currie who presented Peter with an AHCCNZ Car Badge.
The interview also features in the magazine as noted on the cover.

Attachment 75991

Had collected other photos of the 100 Six Record Breaker the Left Hand Drive BN4 from 1957/58 that became a Right Hand Drive 3000 in 1960.
They include the Black and White photo of the Car and Drivers at the Record Attempts at Montlhery [ - spelling must check as seen it as Monthlery too. ** MontLhery is correct - known Linas - Montlhery and is located about 30km from Paris ]

Details on Wikipaedia ;
" Autodrome de Montlhéry (established 4 October 1924) is a motor racing circuit, officially called L’autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, owned by Utac, located south-west of the small town of Montlhéry about 30 km (19 mi) south of Paris. "

Drivers were: Gyde Horrocks, John Clarke, Rupert Jones, Ray Simpson, Bill Summers, Arthur Taylor, Tom Threlfall,(also drove) Marcus Chambers.
Attachment 75992

The car in later years - as the Works 3000 with Jack Sears Autograph, he drove it in a few events.

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The Chassis Plate form the car showing its 100 SIX Left Hand Drive heritage BN4 - a 100 Six Model L - Left hand Drive, from the NZ Classic Driver article - Tony Haycock.

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The car also appears on the Front Cover of the " Reverend " Rupert Jones Book, Rupert Jones was a BMC Works Driver

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Marcus Chambers was the head of BMC Works Team at the time of the Record Attempts and was one of the Drivers. Rupert Jones was also a Driver at the event.

Plan of the Circuit - presume that the BMC CUAC Team used the Oval version. top right, the full circuit, described here as the " Grand Circuit " is 12.5 km.

Attachment 76008

Was difficult to find a map of the circuit in suitable format and size.

A good group of Austin Healey cars and people at the Ellerslie Concour, and there was the Brit-Euro in Wellington.
My friend John Vevers posted around 60 photos in one group on the BLENZ Facebook page including the Austin Healey group.
Know several of the cars from my time in the club and have seen them since - a couple last year on the Grand Tour.
The Yellow 100 SIX came from Kerikeri and is now with a recent owner in Auckland as noted by Ross Cammick.
" but has recently been bought out of KeriKeri and used to belong to Tom Clark from Campbells Bay. The new owner lives in Karaka and seems very keen. "
They had 9 cars turnout for the Concour' as part of the AH Club display.

Attachment 76000

The Valiant Healey - saw it in Tauranga last March, with owner Grant MacKenzie.

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Old Mate BMC BOY - 1959 AH 3000. a 2 Seater car, I think - checking as on wires not the Minilites that were on his car last time I saw it several years ago, and in photos from back then too !!.
Ross Cammick advises that it is his car back on the Chrome Wires and a little while ago he removed the Chrome Bootrack too.

Attachment 76002

A late model 3000 a BJ8.

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a 1961 Tri-Carb model 3000, left hand drive - ex USA and Canada, car owned by Mark Donaldson, the founder of the AHCC in New Zealand back in 1972.

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The Tri-carb again with a group of AH's
- the wide wheeled and flared 100, I am wondering whose it is.?? - question now answered 13 Feb.
[ Has plate MY100.. but that does not show on Carjam. ].
Plate partly hidden - actual Plate is MY1008 and is car known as the 100 Eight [ 100/8 ] in the Austin Healey Club since the 1970's when it was first rebuilt with a V8 by Reg Whittaker, he still owns it and it went to the Concours' with BMC BOY Ross Cammick and the Red wire wheeled early 3000 in the photos.
Ross has sent me pictures of the car, which is a bit different from when I last saw it in the late 1980's - around 1990 actually.
Car no longer has the Roll Bar I remember from the mid 1970's - 80's.
- More to come on the 100 Eight.

" Year: 1954
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: RED
Body Style: Sports Car
VIN: 7AT00T07X21133829
Plate: MY1008
Engine No: COVERED
Chassis: 6253
CC rating: 5,736cc (5.7l)
Fuel Type: Petrol "

Attachment 76005

A couple of Engines to follow in the next post.

Austin Engine in a 100 SIX. Thought it was the " 100 SIX MM " that was once White with a Black Mille Miglia Hardtop and owned by Mark Donaldson back in the early 1970's.

Had been informed not the MHD car, however it is now [ 1st March 2024 ] listed for sale in Papakura and described as a " 1958 BN4 100 SIX MM " - Mille Miglia,
Mark's car also described as a MM Mille Miglia model - did have the plate HY1006 !.
HY1006 Plate is still on Carjam for a 1959 AH 100 Six, the car now Red, was White with Black Hardtop in the early 1970's

This car shows plate AH1006 - more work to do, as that plate does not appear on Carjam nor does AHI006 !! Wonder what the real Registration is ?? - with the car for sale on Trade Me Motors.
More to come on this 100 SIX MM have found more photos.

Attachment 76006

Chrysler Engine in a 100 SIX.

Attachment 76007

Can't believe everything on Carjam ..
The Valiant Healey details - 2300 cc - was 2639cc - when built as the 100 SIX, much bigger now.

" 1957
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: PURPLE
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate: SN3000
Engine No: 26CUH47347
Chassis: BN4S47347
CC rating: 2,300cc (2.3l)
Fuel Type: Petrol "

More to come on the Concour and the cars.

The Reg Whittaker V8 powered 1954 AH 100.

" Year: 1954
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALEY
Colour: RED
Body Style: Sports Car
VIN: 7AT00T07X21133829
Plate: MY1008
Engine No: COVERED
Chassis: 6253
CC rating: 5,736cc (5.7l)
Fuel Type: Petrol "
Unsure what the engine is - probably a Chevrolet, think the car has had a couple of V8 motors over the years.
With Reg freshening it up in recent years the side vents have got larger and the Roll Bar has been removed.
Have ridden in the car a few times back in the 1980's at or to events with Reg and the AH Club.

The car in 1976 at New Plymouth - my photo - posted early in this thread.

Attachment 76013

Feb 2024 in Auckland before the Concour'

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More to come as I get the details.

Reg Whiitaker was a School Teacher in Otuau and Waiuku and responsible for the Club having the Maioro Road Otaua Hill Climbs as he knew most of the locals - taught their children and getting approval was relatively easy, then a quick application to the Frankiin District Council and the Club was set.

As noted on this thread the AHCCNZ ran the event from 1983 to 1990, and then handed it over to the MG Car Club, as we were a small Club and getting helpers proved harder as the event went on.

It is still run and as noted by ERC the MG Club, including Derek Prior and ERC in the 1990's and others more recently MGCC run a good event which now also supported by the Waitemata Branch of the VCC, after they lost the Chelsea Sugar Works event " Chelsea Walsh " in 2017.

Car Show weekend - Brit-Euro Trentham, Wellington.
A busy time in two of our cities for the Healey people and many other British and European " Marque " owners.

Photos from Digby Paape the Austin Healey's at the Brit - Euro. photo of 3, 3000's one of which - the Green over Ivory car LM3000 has been around the AH Club scene since the early 1970's.

Attachment 76018

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LM3000, was originally GM171 and all BR Green when first in New Zealand, was owned by Bill Clouston and went to Les and Shirley Meggett in the mid 1970's, as GM171, with Les getting his initials on the later plate.
Car was sold a couple of years ago but still in the Wellington area

Attachment 76021

Thanks Digby for the photos.
The Paape family have a strong Motoring and Motorsports heritage - father Godfrey was a founding member of the Otago Sports Car Club and an early ANZCC committee member in the late 1940's - also on the Organising Committee of the Dunedin Festival Street Races - he raced an Austin A90 Atlantic in the 1950's at Dunedin and other local " Otago " events. The A90 ran the same motor as the first of the Austin Healey cars the " 100 " BN1 and BN2 - 1953 - 56.

Running rather late - a few photos from the stop-over - Night at The Armitage, Tauranga last year.

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The Official Vehicle and Trailer that carried a lot of the Clubs " Stuff " - driven by Allan Horner and another AH Guy.
Here Allan left and Mark Donaldson front are sorting something out !!

Attachment 76048

Finally got to download the photos today to my new laptop, and also photos from the Pahoia Car Show yesterday.
Only One Healey there Fred Fowlers 3000, which did the Grand Tour.

Fred's car at Pahoia, this year , was there last time in Feb 2021 as well.

Attachment 76049

The last few 100S AHS3905 to AHS3910 were delivered to various owners in July and August 1955.
AHS3905 through Larke Hoskins Sydney, 3906, and 3907 went to Australia as did AHS3909, to Austin in Melbourne
AHS3908 came to New Zealand, through Austin New Zealand to Seabrook Fowlds and the last car AHS3910 went to Sweden.

AHS3906
Taken at South Wharf, Port Melbourne (opposite GMH plant) in late 1955, this photo of 3906 after it had been unloaded from the ship was taken by Robert Jones of Corowa and passed to Jim McConville. It is the earliest known photograph of the car. archive Ivo Visser.

Attachment 76072

AHS3908
Ross Jensen in the 1956 New Zealand Grand Prix meeting archive Clas Arleskar

Attachment 76073

AHS3908
Harvey Kibble of Wellington with the car in 1970 at the Alexander Road Hill Climb Car has full windscreen and as noted the grille does not look right. the car had been raced and damaged for many years by then.
Origin of the photo not known, It does appear in the Allan Dick article in NZ Classic Driver issue #70 Jan-Feb 2017.

Attachment 76074

Owners of the car after Ross Jensen, were Graham Pierce then many owners including Frank Wilkin who had a " heavy road accident " the to Ivan Cranch, Auckland Car Club President in 1960/61, carried out the repairs including the " New " grille.
Later owners were Peter Sullivan, P Crocker, Glen Hunt, then Dexter Dunlop and Harvey Kibble.

Glen Hunt, wrote this story recently about his time with the car.
the article was a post on the Fb group Austin Healey 100S.

" Hi I’m Glenn Hunt one of the previous owners of the AHS 3908 and after reading your article thought you might be interested in a couple of my experiences with the car.
I owned the car in the early ‘70’s when I was 19.
I entered a Wellington car club hill climb at Log Whare hill near Hunterville and I remember my legs turning to jelly as I began my first start.
I never got out of first gear for that hill climb because you could get up to 60 mph in first! I think I got 2nd overall that day.
Another memory is on a drive from Bulls to Wellington- I used 44 gallons of fuel - I was rather fortunate my father owned a gas station!
On another trip to Hawkes Bay I was travelling along the Takapau plains passing 4 or 5 cars when I noticed a traffic officer parked in a farmers gateway - as I zoomed by his head turned as if he were watching a tennis match!! I quickly turned up a side road, lit a cigarette and waited! He soon zoomed past with his siren going. I think I was doing 120 mph. He was in a Holden - top speed around 85mph! "

George Lawton, from Northland, was a regular competitor with Northland Car Club, in his Austin Healey 100 SIX, and also ran a Cooper T39 Bobtail around 1959/60, he raced the Healey in 1957 and on after that.

Have seen photos of George in the Healey at Puhipuhi Hill Climb run by NCC and also with his Cooper.

John Windelburn, was another NCC, NSCC, ACC and Pukekohe CC competitor and worked on the Healey. John recently sent me this photo of the car - emerging from his workshop. undated but was before he took it to the South Island for the racing there. Car has the 1956 - 61 plates on it [ AH 100 Six were released in 1957, and George went to Europe in 1960 ].

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The car at Puhipuhi Road Hill Climb, also from John Windelburn archives;

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The Healey and the Cooper from Graham Woods archives - photographer not known. - posted before.

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As is known George Lawton was sadly killed in an accident at Roskilde Circuit in Denmark in the year he arrived in Europe the 1960.
" born 14 Jan 1939 Wellington; died 10 Sep 1960 Roskilde, "

Brian Skudder of NCC wrote a short history / tribute to George Lawton back in 2010 for the Northland Car Club.

a link to the history ;

" https://www.ncc.org.nz/index_htm_fil...ry_updated.pdf "

hope it works.

Back to past and a visit to a Wreckers Yard in Eugene, Oregon 31st August 1982.

Foreign Parts West, was full of Old British Cars, Austin Healeys, Jaguars [ had an XK120 Jaguar on the roof ]Triumphs and others.

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Some Triumphs - where the new [ secondhand ] bonnet for my TR4A came from - probably off one of these !.

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The Austin Healey Pile - lots stacked up. Ross Cammick photo.
Myself with Bryan and Brenda Harris, the " Four Kiwi's in a Kombi ".

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The Wrecking Yard closed a few years ago, according to an Austin Healey [ and Jaguar ] Mate in Salem Oregon, Jerry Luidahl. I would image that Bob had well and truly retired by then.

2699 Prairie Road, Eugene, is now a transport and storage area with containers and Machinery on the site.

Post #224 has the montage of photos as in the Album done in 1982/83 after the Big Trip to the USA and UK.

The Memory was jogged by this photo from John Vevers an Austin / BMC / BL guy.

definitely Healey and TR memory Lane.

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More " borrowed " photos. AHS3907 was imported into Australia along with AHS3906 that went to Stan Jones, father of Grand Prix Formula One driver Alan Jones, Stan won the first Ardmore - NZ Grand Prix in 1954 in his Maybach Racer.

AHS3907 in the pit area - Fishermans Bend Race Track Melbourne .. so not at Albert Park, ?
the site of the Australian Grand Prix
A different event to the Programme below - same driver but different Race number

Photos Ivo Visser.

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Moomba Races - an event I didn't know of - at Albert Park, Melbourne.
The cover of the Programme - March 11th 1956.

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The Entry lists and a photo of #43.

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AHS3908 with Ross Jensen was at Albert Park in 1956 too !!.
The Grand Prix meeting in November 1956,

With those 60.608 plates on.

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Here at the refueling Depot of " SHELL " - the Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum Company, of days gone by.

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The above photo appeared in the NZ Classic Driver story on the car by Allan Dick, as part of a montage on the inside cover. Issue #70 from 2017.

The Stan Jones car AHS3906 #42 with the feature car AHS3907 beside #43.

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Austin Healey 100 SIX MM - Mille Miglia.

The car was the Ellerslie Concour recently and I was advised it had recently come to be in Auckland.
It is now for sale - and from photos provided has the " Hardtop " that part of the " MM " model variant.

- The photos are from Trade Me - Motors.
Interestingly there are half a dozen " Big " Healeys for sale at the moment all 6 Cylinder and ranging from 1959 to 1963 models so 100 SIX and early - mid model 3000's BN7 and BJ7.

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The car with the Hardtop fitted - in White, and in the Wet..

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On a better day,

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The Interior

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Two of the other cars for sale are ;
" XY4034 " a 1963 BJ7, originally Left Hand Drive " HBJ7l21965 " in Metallic Blue over Ivory/White
- XY plate issued in 1999.
Have realised this is the ex Allan Horner car that he sold a year or two ago, - my photos on this thread from June 2020 at Caffeine and Classics.
Allan still has his Twincam [ Toyota powered ] Sprite with the modified nose that he does Targa and Classic Trial racing.
and
" 63BJ7 " also a 1963 BJ7 " HBJ7L207978 " also originally LHD in Red. First Reg in NZ in 1997
6

" " XY4034 " a 1963 BJ7, originally Left Hand Drive " HBJ7l21965 " in Metallic Blue over Ivory/White
- XY plate issued in 1999.
Have realised this is the ex Allan Horner car that he sold a year or two ago, - my photos on this thread from June 2020 at Caffeine and Classics. "

The photos from Trade Me Motors, in Christchurch now Feb/Mar 2024.

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Under the Bonnet.

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The interior

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One of my photos from C and C Smales Farm June 2020.

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UOC741 The first 6 cylinder Rally/Race Car.

This 100 SIX was described as " The first of the standard-bodied sixes, UOC741, was to become the link between the Warwick-built competition cars and the Abingdon-built rally cars.
Originally prepared and developed for competition use at Warwick [ DHMC - Donald Healey Motor Company - The Cape, Warwick. ] at the instigation of DMH's old friend, Tommy Wisdom, it subsequently went to Abingdon to become the first of their rally Healey's. UOC741 incorporated the 100S strengthening gussets and larger rear dampers, " quote from the Geoff Healey book - " Austin Healey - The Specials "

Austin's publicity department had used the car as a promotional vehicle - as seen with this photo.

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The cars first event was the 1957 Mille Miglia, where it appeared with a cut down windscreen - seen here at Scrutineering with Co Driver Cecil Winby - photo by George Phillips for Autosport Magazine taken at Brescia 1957.
Driver was Tommy Wisdom, a long time friend of Donald Healey and had co-written the first book on the marque " The Austin Healey " published in 1959.

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The Car leaving the startline - Entry #414.

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The car at the finish, crossing the line. The car had already competed in the Sestriere Rally in March 1957 with his daughter Ann - Ann Wisdom went on the be Pat Moss' Navigator / Co-driver for the BMC Works Team in Austin Healey's, Morris Minors and various Austin Saloons, A40 Farina's A90 and A95's et al.
" Tommy competed with the same car in the Mille Miglia race with Cecil Winby. They won their class and finished 37th out of the field of 365 cars. "
quote - - " The story of the Big Healeys " Geoffrey Healey. "

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The car Rally prepared, here in England prior to the Monte Carlo Rally of January 1958

as noted " And so to 1958 and the Monte Carlo Rally, for which Wisdom's Mille Miglia car was prepared to be driven by Tommy himself " .. " atrocious weather conditions. Ice and snow were feet deep on the roads, especially on the route from Paris, from which the ' 100 Six ' started. Almost the entire Paris entry of nearly 90 cars foundered during the first hours of the run, and Wisdom .. was no exception. "
quote - " The Austin Healey " Donald Healey - Tommy Wisdom. "

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The car appears to be a medium colour " Blue " over White or Ivory but was in fact Two shades of Green.

The only colour photos I can find are very blurry and the colours not clear.
However, my 1;43 scale Corgi Model shows the two greens, Spruce Green over Florida Green - I have been told recently.

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The other model has a connection as is URX727 which was one of the Big Healeys, a 3000 rallied by Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom as well as others from the BMC Team

More to come on UOC741 and its BMC Team and Private Entrant Rally History.

Austin Healey 100 SIX - UOC741 a bit more.

The 1958 TULPEN Rally [ Tulip ] Jack Sears and Peter Garnier.

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an unknown driver and event - Race no #107, but who, where, when ??

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By 1960 the car was in private ownership, and here in the 1960 RAC Rally 21st - 26th November driven by P [ Peter ? ] Smith and G Bryant. Car No #5.

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A Tulpen - Tulip - Rally Car Plaque, from another Big Healey BMC Entry, PMO202 in 1959, of Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom
- [ later Ann Riley, married to works driver Peter Riley. ].

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A Minimodels 1;43 Scale model of UOC741 in its Monte Carlo Rally guise 1958 #264 Tommy Wisdom and J Hay. - see previous post. Gives those unusual colours Green over Green.

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Garage sign from; Warrens Auto Service, 212 Lee St, Kingsland, Georgia USA - archive Ray Donovan

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The car built by DHMC was entered at Le Mans in 1953 Race #33, it had issues and the entry was the car SPL226B which had the plate NOJ393, however, DHMC put the NOJ391 plates on the car as it had been cleared through scrutineering.

The two NOJ391 cars at Le Mans. the lower picture is actually SPL226B - NOJ393
Note the standard solution to getting heat from the engine compartment - the slightly raised rear edge of the bonnet. My 100 was like that from 1984 onwards, - purchased in 1983. longer bolts on the bonnet latch with spacers.

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No #33 and the two entered cars #33 and #34 with the Nash Healey entries

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NOJ391 at Goodwood later in 1953

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NOJ391 on display at the 1953 Earls Court Motor Show.

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The car was rebodied - modified to be a 100S, with the Oval Grille Central Fuel Filler and other 100S mods - Disc Brakes etc.

The accident damage that occurred during practice - before the swap of number plates with onto NOJ393 to enter the 1953 Le Mans Race. Robert Visser archives.

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NOJ391 at another event - details not known but before it became a 100S. SPL224B. Ivo Visser archives

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Another couple of photos of NOJ391 at Goodwood on 22nd August 1953. Rainer Jordan archives
At speed on track.

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In the pits around the time of an earlier photo posted. R Jordan arch.

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