Austin Healey History

Donald Mitchell Healey, noted British rally driver, automobile engineer, and speed record holder, was born on July 3, 1898 in Perranporth, North Cornwall, England.   Following an apprenticeship at Sopwith Aviation, he volunteered for the Royal Flying Corps and earned his "wings" in 1916. After WWI, he returned home to study motorcars and engineering. He opened a garage, where his interest grew in rally competition. From the mid-'20s through the early '50s, Healey was a European rally driver of great distinction, his best finish being first in 1931, in the Monte Carlo Rally.

Immediately after WWII, Healey began to build his own cars; in 1946, his Elliot was the finest production saloon to cover 100 miles an hour. Other cars were the Silverstone and the Nash-Healey, which finished third overall at Le Mans in 1952.
Best-known were the Austin-Healeys, sports cars introduced in October 1952. Various models, including Sprites, were produced until a total ran of nearly 200,000 of which most were exported to America.

In 1953 and 1954, Healey set American and international records with his cars at the Bonneville Salt Flats; and he recorded 203.11 in an Austin-Healey 100-6 Streamliner to join the exclusive 200 MPH Club in 1956.

In 1972, with Healey as chairman of Jensen Motors, the Jensen-Healey was introduced. For his "services to export," Healey was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973.
Donald M. Healey died in Perranporth on January 15, 1988, but his automobiles are still being raced, driven, collected, and enjoyed today.

100 BN1/BN2 1953-1956- The Big Beautiful Roadster was referred to by this designation. These early Healeys were powered with a four cylinder running gear derived from an Austin Healey A90 sedan. In 1955 a racing version of a BWI was added. The engine had more power, the body was light alloy and it had disc brakes on all 4 wheels. This car was referred to as a 100S and is very rare, only 50 were produced. 

BN1 production figures are 10,688, and th BN2 was 3924.

100/6 BN4/BN6 1956-1959- This restyled cars arrived with a 2.6 liter six cylinder engine. The wheel base is longer allowing a 4 seat layout. Production of the BN4 was 10,246. The BN6 was 4150.

3000 Mk I, Mk II, Mk 2 convertible, Mk III 1959-1968- This car was the final development of the Big Healey basic layout of the 100/6. It offered a larger engine and disc brake up front as standard equipment. The Mk II was offered as a true convertible with a folding top and roll up window. Early cars had side curtains. The final Mk III has even more power and a wood covered dash and much better suspension. Production figures are Mk I 13650 produced; Mk II 5450 produced; Mk II Convertible 6113 produced and Mk III 17,712 produced.

 

Sprite (Bugeye or Frogeye) 1958-1961- This is probably one of the simplest, lightest sportscars ever made. Running gear and front suspension carm from the Austin A 35 sedan. These cars are not real fast but there are plenty of parts to make them fast. Total production of the Sprite was 48,999. Plenty of them around makes them affordable and lots of fun.

From 1961 to 1971 Austin Healey and MG built a successor to the Mk I. The Healey was the Sprite and the MG was the Midget. This car is also referred to as Spritets. These cars make great economical daily transportation, very simple to maintain and cheap on gas and oil. But they are small and crude (no cupholders here). Total production over the entire series was 226,526. That means parts are plentiful and not too costly.