4 Attachment(s)
The Ward Special - an AH 100 Coupe built in Australia.
Car has recently come up for sale and the sellers is in Malta - a long
way from its original base in the 1950s and into the 2010's - saw it at a Queensland AH Club Show in 2015.
a couple of photos posted by the seller.
Attachment 76466
Attachment 76467
Car has been for sale a few times in the past - unsuccessfully for a while but apparently sold in 2019.
My own photo from the Scarborough QLD event.
Attachment 76468
The car after its first rebody - after a big accident.
The body is made by " Ausca " and the body style has been seen on a few Australian Specials.
photo from Peter Linn archives and appeared in a " Healey Factory " - Melbourne story on the car a few years ago
Attachment 76469
4 Attachment(s)
Ruddspeed 3000 - the Russell Leathers car that became a 4000 later
As mentioned on the Matamata thread the " Ruddspeed " 3000 raced there both years and was [ thanks to Milan's note ]
- a 4000 - the A125 engine.
The restoration is being done as the car was at Ardmore in the 1961 NZ International Grand Prix meeting.
The Car readied for Ardmore with Race #122 - posted before - a new copy of the image.
Attachment 76496
The car at Matamata in 1964 with the 4000cc motor - photo from the Morrie Given - Scott - Given archives.
- posted on the Matamata thread.
Attachment 76497
Recent photos of the restoration from Myles Hicks.
Attachment 76498
Attachment 76499
Another photo has emerged of the " Ruddspeed " from 1966 - coming in a new post.
Another restoration of a known AH Sprite is now complete after 4 years - photos to follow.
4 Attachment(s)
The Young - Ganley - Young AH Sprite is back on the road.
Brett Young " faminz " in this group, has completed the restoration of the Sprite he owned many years ago and bought back - in the early 1980's it was with Phil Ganley, wife of Denis Ganley [ Howdens brother ]. Car is a 1959 model Chassis No. AN5 21031.
At Eastbourne, Wellington last weekend.
Attachment 76500
Attachment 76501
Attachment 76502
" 1959
Make: AUSTIN
Model: SPRITE
Colour: WHITE
Body Style: Sports Car
VIN: 7A80T1W0798521031
Plate: XE2121
Engine No: 9CUH20491
Chassis: AN521031
CC rating: 948cc (0.9l)
Fuel Type: Petrol "
Car has been in NZ since 1992 - according to this - would have had a 5 yearly plate 1961 -64/65 when first registered.
" Plates History
Plate Effective Date
XE2121 29-Jun-1998
BD5874 02-Oct-1962 "
Classic Car Portraits images of the 1958 - 1961 Sprite - later known as the Mark One,but more often as - depending on which side of the Atlantic a Bugeye or Frogeye.
Attachment 76503
2 Attachment(s)
Ruddspeed 3000 in 1966, was bigger by then Engine size at 4200.
The AH has the A125 Motor and is now 4200cc, up from 3993cc, the size in an Austin Princess.
Attachment 76512
The entry list for the Race - a couple of cars have already passed, well one you can just see the tail.
The Ruddspeed taking a wide line through the Elbow.
Roger Smith, David Oxton #38 and Trevor Sheffield - the Daimler SP250 trio.
Attachment 76513
both images from Graham Woods archives - photographer not known, - would be taken from the Stables, maybe on the steps.
2 Attachment(s)
Austin - Healey X224 - a non-Austin Healey, really.
X224 - one of the eXperimental cars that Donald Healey Motor Company built.
As is known Healey used a few different engines in his " own " cars - Riley 2.4 litre hi cam 4, the Nash 6, the Austin 4 and 6 cylinder motors in the " Big " Healey's and the 948 - 1098 and 1275 " BMC " A Series motors in Sprites.
One of the more unusual Healeys was X224 - powered by a 2.5 litre Ferrari Motor,
A little of the - story - notes from Rainer Jordan.
There is information on the car in the Geoffrey Healey Book " Healey - The Specials ".
" Nassau Trophy 8.12.1957
4th Annual International Bahamas Speed Weeks
(Race 15 - Nassau Trophy race), Oakes Course, Nassau
Grid: Le Mans start , Started: 42 , Distance: 250 miles
Results:
10th #18 Peter Collins (GB) Austin-Healey Ferrari Special X224 1th [ 1st ] Class: D
23rd #16 Phil Stiles (USA) Austin-Healey 100M 4th Class: D
26th #11 David Darrin (USA) Austin-Healey 100 5th Class: D
30th #46 Hugh Sutherland (CDN) Austin-Healey 100S AHS 3805
6th Class: D
From the 12-hour Florida International Grand Prix of Endurance on March 23, 1957 to the December 8, 1957 Nassau Speed Weeks, either car #24 or #25 was selected for an experiment.
Peter Collins was a good friend of Donald Healey and he suggested a use of a Short distance 2,5 litre Ferrari four-cylinder Grand Prix Engine. A Ferrari gear box and the Rear (de Dion) Suspension and trans-axle from the Ferrari 625F1 were installed.
In late-1955 the Ferrari 625F1 was purchased Donald Healey. X224, that was the code given to Donald and Geoffs’ project to fit the 2.5 Ltr. four cylinder engine and trans-axle from the Ferrari 625 into a modified Austin Healey 100 chassis.
The Ferrari engine developed 210BHP using petroleum spirit, down from the 240 BHP that it developed when using Methanol " "
The car at Nassau in 1957
Attachment 76524
The car was later raced with an Austin 6 motor as well as the Ferrari 4 cylinder.
It ran at Nassau again in 1959 - more details to come but this is known about the Nassau 1959 Event- Bahamas Speed Week. A very popular Event that Chevrolet sent 3 Grand Sport Corvette Special Bodied C2 Corvettes to in 1963
" Nassau Trophy 29.11.1959
My posts about the Bonneville record runs and Streamline race participation end here.
A long-term solution with the Ferrari engine as an alternative was not possible due to some problems because the combination Ferrari engine and Austin Healey Cassis did not work well together.
For example, the ground clearance with a full tank and the (de Dion) rear suspension was zero, so that the exhaust dragged on the ground.
The Ferrari 2.5l engine was also more suitable for short distances and consumed a lot of oil.
So for 1959 it was decided to use the newly designed and prepared Austin Healey 100-six engine for racing.
Transaxle and rear end were removed from the car and X224 was rebuilt using a six cylinder Austin engine and transmission.
It was heavier than the Ferrari engine, but the car did about 175 mph and was better suited for the upcoming stages than with the Ferrari engine.
Nassau Trophy 29.11.1959
6th Annual International Bahamas Speed Weeks
Preliminary race Nassau Tourist Trophy +2000 ccm
Track: Oakes Field Course, Nassau (Bahamas), 7.242 km
Result:
2nd #73 Roy Salvadori (GB) Austin-Healey 100-6 X224, 1st in Class D GT
In the 5-lap race for larger GT cars, Stirling Moss in a private Aston Martin DB4GT beat Roy Salvadori’s special-bodied Austin-Healey 100-Six. "
Notes on the photo below:
" The X224 Streamliner at the Nassau Speedweek in 1959. The car was driven by Roy Salvadori who is pictured standing behind the car Roger Menadue work at the front wheel. "
Attachment 76525
6 Attachment(s)
Reims 12 Hour Race - 1956 and 1957.
Reims [ Rheims ] Race Circuit has been used over the years in various iterations as shown in previous posts, from an Oval to other closed tracks and then the longer circuits that went through the local town.
The Circuits are known as Circuit Reims - Gueux.
In 1956 AHS3810 Race #1 was entered and driven - by Raymond Flowers and Colin Davis and came 8th, in 1957 the car had Race #13 and was a DNF. AHS3810 was a customer car with the Lobelia Blue and Ivory / White paintwork.
Photos from Rainer Jordan archives with notes from Ivo Visser. - the 1956 Race.
Attachment 76526
Attachment 76527
Attachment 76528
Chassis and Engine number details of the Special Test Cars.
Attachment 76529
OON441 the other entrant in 1957 alongside AHS3810.
In the Pits - along with other Competitors, before the Start ;- two different photos
Attachment 76530
Attachment 76531
A couple more photos to follow
3 Attachment(s)
Reims 12 Hour Race 1957 - OON441 and AHS3810 in 1956.
The last two photos [ so far ] of OON441
Attachment 76532
Attachment 76533
Another photo of AHS3810 - at the start of the 12 hour Race in 1956 Car Race #1, A night / evening start, for a Daytime finish.
Attachment 76534
5 Attachment(s)
Wigram - The Lady Wigram Trophy Event - the Sports Car Races
Entry Lists for the " Sports Car Race " at Wigram - 1959 to 1963.
Austin Healey - the AH 100 and 100S feature including an I G Johnstone in a 100 - 4 cylinder, along with the Fred Losee - E Joss Tims 100S, the Seabrook Jensen Pierce 100S and some others.
1959;
Attachment 76541
1960; Tims in a 100 before he got the Fred Losee 100S AHS3802
Attachment 76542
1961; Tims in the ex Fred Losee 100S
Attachment 76543
1962;
Attachment 76544
1963; E D Candy in the recently acquired - ex Geoff Mardon 100, that became the Healey Corvette when owned by Arthur Kennard - Corvette engine and other mods done in 1957
Attachment 76545
4 Attachment(s)
Amaroo 1979 - 1980 - and nearly 800,000 views.
A couple more Austin Healeys from the archives of Dominic O'Donnell.
One " Big ",
Attachment 76579
One - small and Spritely,
Attachment 76580
One - non Austin - Healey,
Attachment 76581
and One AH with another " A " and MG-A.
Wonder if they are still around today.
Will find and add Drivers names later.
Attachment 76582
6 Attachment(s)
Austin Healey silhouette - drawings - David Townsend Art.
Have seen many of these style of drawings and " Classiccarportraits " have a whole series of English Cars from Austin Healey to Triumph and many others.
Came across these recently - a set of three Austin Healey cars - there was a set of Triumph cars too ! a TR4, TR5 and TR6.
Here A H 100 in Hardtop/ Coupe guise and Soft top guise and a 100 SIX.
AH 100 Coupe
Attachment 76705
AH 100 M - top down
Attachment 76706
AH 100 SIX 100/6
Attachment 76707
A set of the " Classiccarportraits ".
AH 100. BN1
Attachment 76708
AH 100 M BN2
Attachment 76709
AH 100 SIX 100/6
Attachment 76710
4 Attachment(s)
AHS3601 R - the recreation of AHS3601 the Vickery Motors Car.
Recent photos of the car AHS3601 R - recreation of the first 100S despatched in late 1955, to arrive in New Zealand in early 1956.
The 11th car in the production range that started with AHS3501 - the Briggs Cunningham car.
Photos taken at Highlands Park Motor Museum and Race Track. - kindly sent to me by Alister Rayner - the current owner.
Attachment 76753
Attachment 76754
Attachment 76755
The Original AHS3601 outside Vickery Motors in 1956.
Attachment 76756
Image in the booklet produced by Derek Mayor - the owner of AHS3601 R in the early 2000's in the UK.
6 Attachment(s)
AN5L758 - a 1958 Sprite the 257th Production Car
AN5L758 is a very early car and back in 1978 was thought to be the Oldest in existence
- It was in daily use at that time when [ Tony ] Anthony van de Water owned it having bought it in 1973.
Tony still owns it, and today, he sent me a set of pictures of it being restored and as it now looks.
It has a few modifications - the wider wheels, the single bar Roll bar among them.
The car being an early one has a simpler chassis especially around the radiator and front wheel area.
Early cars also had the row of studs to fit the front of the soft top - later changed as was not waterproof especially when windy or driving fast !!
Great to see the original features retained.
A couple of photos during restoration - largely finished - painted but no components installed.
Attachment 76771
Attachment 76772
The car as finished recently.
Attachment 76773
Attachment 76774
Attachment 76775
The car at Ardmore in January 1989 the " Reunion " The - " Classic Motor Races ". It is in the second row.
In good company with Mark Donaldson BN2, 100 which he still owns and the late Steve Hill in his Red AN5. - my own photo.
Attachment 76776
Car did appear during the " 50th Anniversary Grand Tour " at Nelson / Blenheim, near where Tony lives in April 2023.
Details of the Car from Carjam - I had forgotten it had the LHD symbol in the Chassis Number AN5L758
" Year: 1958
Make: AUSTIN
Model: HEALY
Colour: WHITE
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate:ⓘ BS4308
Engine No:ⓘ N/A
Chassis:ⓘ AN5L758
CC rating:ⓘ 1,000cc (1.0l)
Fuel Type:ⓘ Petrol "
Car has been in NZ since 1962. although it says Registered Previously Overseas " No " it was somewhere, USA or Europe.
" Plate:ⓘ BS4308
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: New
NZ First Registration: 29-Oct-1962
NZ Last Registration: Get Report
Was Registered Overseas? No "
Think this is when Tony purchased the Car in 1973.
" 1973-Sep-06 As at Change of Owner
13 /day
- Odometer reading Miles - 81,423 "
6 Attachment(s)
The " 30th Anniversary of the Austin - Healey " Celebrations at Snowmass, Co, USA
42 years a group of Kiwi's headed off in mid July for Los Angeles
- we were a group of 5 leaving from Auckland, one was a Wellington guy, who flew up to Auckland to travel together.
At the same time another pair left from Auckland separately and another couple AHCCNZ members were returning from Europe. Another of the 10 Kiwi's at the event was already in BC Canada ready for the Big Drive.
Photos of the event, images of maps of journeys, articles from the Booklet issued after the event have appeared on these pages.
Many of the attendees, including American Australian Canadian and English are still in touch - through various Austin Healey groups and privately.
Checking through my archives, I came across an Email - with photo's that I had forgotten about.
The photo is from 2014, not 1982, but shows some people who were at Snowmass and were also visited by 4 of the group of 5, when we stayed in the USA after Snowmass and travelled from Los Angeles down to San Diego, into Mexico and then did the West Coast from San Diego to Vancouver, Washington State and Vancouver BC Canada.
A very Austin Healey group are here, having dinner with John and Vicki Chatham at a house they rent in Carmel every year or so.
Image from the archives of Mark Donaldson - he is in the photos. Mark was at Snowmass and was the co-ordinator for the Kiwi's who went, making arrangements through Hans Nohr to get rides for the 5 from Ventura LA to Snowmass and back, sharing seats in Austin Healey's and a Lincoln owned by one of the Healey guys.
Americans Kiwi's and Australians in the photo taken by an English person.
Terry Cowan [ San Diego ] the late John Wilson [ Oregon ] Steve Kirby, at back [ from ? - I don't know him ] Jan McLaren [ NZ ] Helen Pike [ Australia ] Mark Donaldson [ NZ ] Steve Pike [ Australia ].
Attachment 76801
John Wilson son Robert was also there at another time with Jan Mark and others.
Robert was John Wilson partner in the business " Healey Lane Restorations " based in Oregon, and now runs it.
Attachment 76802
The Trailer that Healey Lane uses to transport " Austin Healey " cars.
Attachment 76803
Remembering a great trip and that the AH community has lost a number of attendees in recent years.
from New Zealand Craig Swift - the guy from Wellington Bernie Huynen [ part of the couple returning from Europe, John Wilson and his wife Shirley Wilson from Oregon, in recent years Walt Glendenning from Ventura / Oxnard California the Original owner of " Absolutely British " who had a motorcycle accident in 1988. Ken H knew Walt and the current owner of " Absolutely British " Eric Grunden.
There are others, these are the ones I know. RIP.
" Absolutely British " the Logo over the years from 1981, 1982 and recently, well 2015.
- Ken H wrote a letter with this letterhead in 2015 to me.
Attachment 76804
Attachment 76805
Attachment 76806
5 Attachment(s)
AN5L758 - a very early 1958 AH Sprite the 257th production car.
Production Sprites started at Chassis AN5-501, AN5L758 was built between 22 April 1958 and 28th April and sold to a dealer in Canada. hence the " L " in the Chassis number - Left hand drive.
The car came to New Zealand in October 1962 [ Registered 29 October 1962 ] to a lady in Hamilton, and would have had a Black numbers on Yellow background plate until it got BS4308, in June-July 1964 which it still has today.
Between 1962 and 1973 it had 15 owners before Anthony van de Water purchased it in 21 October 1973. Anthony owns to this day and as mentioned has recently had it sympathetically restored, retaining some featured added over the years - the wider drilled steel wheels and the single hoop Roll Bar.
Anthony has the Original NZ Registration Papers still, and the British Leyland " BL Heritage Limited " Certificate of details obtained in July 1982. The Certificate states " specification - LHD, North American export" - " date despatched 28 April 1958 to ( dealer ) Canada.
Attachment 76811
The NZ Registration Papers;
Attachment 76812
Attachment 76813
Anthony would like to find photos of the car Racing before he bought it in 1973, and specifically when owned by Tony Gordon Ward of Chadwick Road Tauranga, a member of the Tauranga Car Club.
In my Programme archive T G Ward raced the car at Pukekohe the NSCC meeting 26th February 1966 with Race #192.
He was entered in Race 5. - the cars capacity was listed as 980cc.
Tony has also raced the car including at the " Country Gents meeting at Wigram in 1987.
Seen here in #139 just ahead of Clarrie Berryman in #146 another Sprite.
Attachment 76814
Any photos of the Car racing would be appreciated to pass on to Anthony.
Cover of the February 1966 NSCC meeting Programme
Attachment 76815
3 Attachment(s)
" 422*533 " BT768 - the George Lawton 100 - Six.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Roger Dowding
Andy [ bce257 ], the Lawton Healey, I am not sure, but with your permission will send these pics to Mark Donaldson, the founder and now Historian for AHCC New Zealand,
thanks
Roger D..
Just going back over the thread and have now, finally, put the details together BT768 is " 422*533 " in 1956 -61 plates - the George Lawton car. There I was advising to contact Mark Donaldson and now realise you knew him anyway.
My excuse is that at the time of the posts #137 etc I was living in Queensland, 2 hours and many years behind.
Cheers Roger.
This car.
Attachment 76882
At John Windelburn's Garage - picture recently from John.
Attachment 76883
The " Puhipuhi Road " photo again - the Northland Car Club Hill Climb.
Attachment 76884