In 1966 BMC merged with Jaguar Cars to form British Motor Holdings (BMH). Donald Healey left BMH in 1968 when it merged into British Leyland.
Healey then joined Jensen Motors, which had been making bodies for the “big Healeys” since their inception in 1952, and became their chairman in 1972. Austin-Healey cars were produced until 1972 when the 20-year agreement between Healey and Austin came to an end.
The Austin Healey was extensively raced by the Donald Healey Motor Company in Europe at Le Mans and in Sebring in the US, in classic rallies by the BMC competitions department, and was recognised from the very beginning by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).
Healey models raced in club racing in D, E, and F production classes, winning National Championships in both D and E Production.
The last Big Healey to win an SCCA National Championship was the class E Production Austin-Healey 100-6 driven by Alan Barker at the Daytona ARRC in 1965.
In 1953, a special streamlined Austin-Healey set several land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA. The 100-6 was produced in two model designators, the 2+2 BN4 from 1956 onwards and the 2-seat BN6 in 1958–9.
The cars used a tuned version of the BMC C-Series engine previously fitted to the Austin Westminster, initially producing 76kW and increased in 1957 to 87kW by fitting a revised manifold and cylinder head. The previously standard overdrive unit was made optional.
In late 1957 production was transferred from Longbridge to the MG plant at Abingdon. 14 436 100-6s were produced before production ended in 1959. An 87kW BN6 was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959 had a top speed of 167.2 km/h and could accelerate from 0-100km/h in 10.7 seconds. Fuel consumption of 13.6 l/100 km was recorded. The test car, at the time, cost £1307 including taxes of £436.
This little bit of history comes courtesy of Wikipedia.
Autodealer Lowveld spoke to some local Healey owners and the magic of these cars.
Louis van der Merwe
Owner of Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre, Louis van der Merwe, needs no introduction as he is well known in the Lowveld for his love for cars. “The original intention was for this centre to become a car museum that will attract and stimulate the tourism industry in the Lowveld,” says Louis.
The good news is, that the original museum, at the top of the complex as you enter, is in the process of being restored and will open again in January 2021 as a fully-fledged car museum.
That it will offer some surprise and delight, is for certain but then, I am not telling. “My dad loved cars and I particularly remember his beautiful Fiat 124 Sport. My uncle had a Ferrari Dino and another friend of mine, Nigel Atherstone, was actually the one who got me into collecting cars. He got me to buy a 1930 Morris Minor which I restored.
One of the most important lessons I have learned over the years is that, should you want to restore a vehicle, be sure to buy a decent car – even if it is a bucket of spares. It costs the same to restore a valuable car.
“We are also restoring a 1924 Packard, an Auburn 851 (it’s an old White River car), and recently completed a 1958 100/6 Austin Healey. The latter came from Mozambique. It had no motor and was quite rusted but we restored it here at the current museum. I bought a motor for it from Alan Lynn, another Lowvelder and Austin owner.
“This Austin Healy was modified for racing and because of its racing history, is particularly special and valuable. These cars are beautifully designed and well, just generally truly enjoyable to drive. “I don’t really have a bucket list. This Austin is one of my favourite cars. The Auburn, once completed, will be an awesome car too.
Another is my Dad’s 1920 Willy’s which still requires crank starting. With the new initiatives and direction in terms of the museum, local and international visitors will experience much emotion and nostalgia. We may well also, in due time, engage in the restoration on-demand projects.”
Henry van Zyl
The first tidbit of info Henry shared with me on my arrival at his house, is that the original designer of the Austin Healey, Gerry Coker has passed away just days before.
Henry, a psychologist by profession, bought his first, now classic car, a Triumph Spitfire, when he was still a student. He found it in a scrapyard, bought and restored it. He used the money he made on a Hillman Vogue which he sold and no, dad was not happy about this though.
Henry owns a number of classic cars, among them a beautiful 1963 Jaguar 3.8 Mk 2 which he bought from his dad. “I have never had an interest in motorsport and performance cars but classic cars – because of their mostly timeless design, is what makes me tick.
Also, the stories and people involved are just the most interesting. And because most of these cars don’t come with modern technology like air conditioners, power steering and the rest, driving them is a very involved and enjoyable experience.
“Many classic car projects fail because the owners buy the wrong car, listen to the wrong ‘experts’ and even worse, run out of money and patience. Parts are available and with patience, you will almost always find it cheaper and locally even,” he says.
Henry also owns an Austin Healey NB4 100-6. His though, is the stock road-going version which he bought from someone in Johannesburg. It required a lot of mechanical work, but as you will notice from the pictures, it now really is in a near-perfect condition.
He upgraded the cooling system and also fitted a stainless steel exhaust which blesses the Healey with a soft, but deep, growl.
“Collecting classic cars demands much research and access to a network of authentic knowledge and skills,” he says. “My bucket list?
“Hmmm – perhaps an Aston Martin or a Jaguar E-Type Roadster but I just love driving this Healey.”
Owning a classic car, it would seem, fills their owner’s lives with beauty – beautiful people – beautiful stories, and exquisite design which is good for the soul.
