July 2002: 'Simply an Amazing Special Car Display'
Over the past few months, I have attempted to keep you well informed about the special cars that will be on display at Thruxton on Friday & Saturday 2nd & 3rd August. I have been totally overwhelmed by the response from the owners of these fantastic ex-works race, rally and prototype Austin Healeys. Our collection extends even further to include some of the earliest and the last cars built bearing the Austin Healey name.
I am certain that there has been a roller-coaster effect among the proud owners, and it appears that they believe it is important that the cars are on display to mark this unique golden celebration.
We now have over 50 cars on display. The latest additions include the Lance Macklin and Les Leston 100S (NOJ 393), as raced at Le Mans in 1955 and currently owned by Jack Scott, the last remaining 1962 ex-works rally 3000 (67 ARX), currently owned and actively driven by Lady Harris, and the 1967 Targa Florio Sprite, currently owned by Mr Kaneko from Japan. This car is being shipped from Japan especially for the event, and will even be competing in the Donald Healey Memorial Race for Sprites. |
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The single special car photograph this month is a stunning shot of 100S 'RWD 323' owned by Michael Waterhouse. There is an outside chance that this car will be racing on the Saturday, as well as being on display. |
| As this is my last opportunity to report to you prior to the event, I thoroughly recommend that you come to see the display for yourselves, bring your camera, and spend time talking to the experts, the owners, and some of the drivers who put these cars on the motor sport map.
Paul Woolmer, Special & Historic Car Co-ordinator, email sebring@btinternet.com Tel-Fax +44(0)1234 376119 (evenings & weekends)
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June 2002: 'Simply Amazing.....The Arthur Carter Collection'
Arthur has been involved with Austin Healeys since the mid 1950s when he bought his first 100, during the 1960s & '70s he acquired many ex-works cars & built the largest collection of ex-works Austin Healeys in the world.
Now, for the first time, most of this incredible collection will be shown to the public during the UK's 50th Anniversary celebrations on Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd August at Thruxton.
Each of the cars has a very special place in Austin Healey history. Arthur kindly let me take some colour photos; in most cases these are mixed with original black & whites from our archives.
We understand that several of these cars may be for sale. |
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OON 440
OON is one of the rarest of all 100-Ss, it is a works prepared, works entered race car. It competed in the 1954 Sebring 12 hours & Mille Miglia & the 1955 Mille Miglia also. |
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EVV 106
An original 100-S, known as 'The David Shale Car'. EVV was very successfully campaigned throughout the 1956 season by David Shale to finish second overall in the Autosport British Championship, only being beaten by John Dalton's sister car. |
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ONX 113
To many people ONX is the most desirable Austin Healey ever built. Not only does it have the full complement of works 100-S mechanical & chassis modifications, it also has a gorgeous coupe body. Add to this the fact that it was Donald Healey's own personal transport for many years & you can perhaps see what we mean... |
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SMO 746
SMO 746 was part of the first works rally 3000 team with '744 & '745 (SMO 745 is also coming to the event). Driven by Jack Sears, Pat Moss & John Gott throughout the 1959 season. John Gott purchased '746 at the end of 1959 & campaigned it privately in many events. Over the years he continued to develop the car, it ending up (as did many of the ex-works cars) as a mod-sports racer. Today it is unique in being the only ex-works car to retain it's mod-sports specification. |
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54 FAC
One of the original Sebring 3000s built by the Donald Healey Motor Company for the 1963 Sebring 12 hours & later raced extensively by Clive Baker. |
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BMO 93B
Built by the Competitions Department at Abingdon for the 1964 season, BMO was part of a three car team which also included ARX 92B (see elsewhere on this page) & BRX 852B (see last month's update, below). Driven by Rauno Aaltonen to 1st Overall on the Liege-Sofia-Liege, BMO also finished the RAC Rally driven by the Morley brothers. |
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ARX 92B / PWB 57 / EG 38
ARX was part of the 1964 team along with BMO & BRX. Following the Tulip, Alpine & Liege rallies, it was sold to BMC Competitions Manager Peter Browning, who put his personal number PWB 57 onto it. |
| The regulations for the 1967 RAC were felt to suit a 3000; PWB was therefore 'borrowed' back by the works & prepared to what can only be described as AWESOME specification, including an aluminium-blocked engine, side exhaust and Minilites. The RAC was cancelled due to Foot & Mouth, and PWB never ran in anger. Peter kept his personal plate when Arthur purchased it; it was then registered EG 38. |
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| These last two shots give you a taste of what's to come: three 100-Ss (we have eleven coming.!) and Arthur's line up. Ours will be somewhat larger with almost 50 cars now promised. |
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May 2002: Special Historic Cars Display
The numbers just keep on growing. We now have forty Special & Historic Cars promised, which break down as twenty Sprites & twenty Big Healeys. We still have eight 100-S's but are confident of the magic eleven or more.
This month we feature part of what must be the best aired collection of ex-works Austin Healeys & MG's in the world. Mick Darcy acquired his first ex-works 3000, XJB 876 over 25 years ago. He now has four, some in partnership with Steve Hutchinson. |
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XJB is one of only three Austin Healeys ever to take outright victory in an International Rally (the others being URX 727 & BMO 93B) driven by the Morley brothers, Don & Earl, on the 1961 Alpine Rally. Featured in the April edition of 'Motor Sport' along with Donald Morley in an excellent article by David Malsher, XJB obviously surprised & impressed him.
Apart from runs to the pub, Mick & Steve use XJB mainly for International Historic Rallies. The photos show the team on the 1999 Classic Marathon.
The next acquisition was 46 BXN, an ex-works Sebring Sprite which following a successful career as a race car in the hands of Peter Jackson in America, Europe & Britain, had a major electrical fire whilst on the Welsh Rally. BXN was then re-bodied by Peel Coachworks into the attractive all alloy coupe you see today. BXN has been raced very successfully over the past 15 years, by a number of lucky drivers including yours truly. BXN will be seen racing at Thruxton on Saturday. The photo shows me racing at Silverstone in 1995.
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OAC 1 came next, purchased in a part restored condition, OAC is one of only two 100 coupe's built at the Donald Healey Motor Company.
Originally built with standard 100-M specification mechanicals & used for development work, mainly by Geoff Healey. Although Brian Healey remembers some high speed gyrations in the car...!
OAC acquired four wheel disc brakes and was the first Austin Healey to be fitted with a prototype six cylinder engine. During the 1970's the coupe top was cut off, eventually ending up in Australia, the top was re-united with the car by the previous owner.
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Mick & Steve are shown with OAC on the 2000 Liege-Rome-Liege, they finished 2nd overall
Last but by no means least we have BRX 852B Prepared for Timo Makinen & Paul Easter for the 1964 season, BRX's best result was 2nd overall on the RAC Rally. Purchased by 2 brothers from Ireland who only occasionally used the car over the next 30 years. Mick & Steve acquired BRX in remarkably original condition befitting a low mileage car with so few owners.
Again BRX is used for Historic Rallying as can be seen from the pictures taken on the 2001 Classic Marathon, they finished 4th overall & 1st in class.
When I asked Mick if I could take some pictures of the cars for this article. His reply was typical... 'I will send you some real pictures mate, these cars look much better doing something'. This sums up Mick & Steve's attitude to their cars so well. |
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Thank you for the contacts so far regarding your special cars or leads to where more can be found. BUT I am still looking for more. If you either own or know of a special or historic car please contact me by any of the methods shown below.
Paul Woolmer
Special & Historic Car Co-ordinator
e-mail sebring@btinternet.com
Tel/Fax +44(0)1234 376119
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STOP PRESS-STOP PRESS-STOP PRESS
We have just agreed to display SEVEN cars from the Arthur Carter collection, including two 100-S's, the Donald Healey 100-S Coupe, three 3000 Rally Cars & one Sebring 3000. Full details including photos next month. These cars have not been on public display for over 30 years.
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April 2002: Special Historic Cars Display
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Last month we had thirty one cars including five 100-S's.........This month we have thirty five cars including eight 100-S's...! To my knowledge we have never had eight 100-S's together, unless of course you know better. The target is still eleven, to beat the Aussies.
The cars split down as 18 Sprites & 17 Big Healeys so far. I am still expecting several more interesting cars to come on board over the coming weeks, including more S's.
This month we feature a very special Sprite, known as the XQHS Super Sprite.
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XQHS was built by the Donald Healey Motor Company during 1962 to a Les Ireland design, allegedly from earlier sketches by Gerry Coker. Built as a prototype to assess the viability & performance advantages of fitting a 1100cc Coventry Climax engine, the car was also fitted with disc brakes on all four wheels.
The chassis is original Sprite Mk1 modified to accept the special aluminium outer bodywork & unique forward hinging bonnet made at the Donald Healey Motor Company by Bill Buckingham.
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XQHS has been in the same ownership for nearly twenty years & whilst kept roadworthy, has not been seen at club events for about fifteen years. With help from Peter Ellis, the owners current whereabouts was traced & they are keen to bring this unique prototype to be part of our display.
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We show three photos of the car, one from Geoff Healey's book 'More Healeys' taken just after XQHS rolled out for the first time & two as it is today, showing it's unique lines & forward opening bonnet.
XQHS is just one of many historic cars which will be on display for the first time in many years. Can you afford to miss it....?
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Do you own, or know of a special or historic Austin Healey? If so please contact me by either of the methods below.
Paul Woolmer
Special & Historic Car Co-ordinator
e-mail sebring@btinternet.com
Tel +44(0)1234 376119 (evenings & weekends)
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Mar 2002: Special Historic Cars Display
The response to our invitations continue to roll in. As of now I have 31 special & historic cars promised. With Sprites & Big Healeys representing just about every variant made coming along.
Amongst the most sort after Special cars of all are the Austin Healey 100-S's. Only 55 of these fabulous cars were ever made, so far I have firm bookings for 5 of them. This is the most we have had together in Europe for many years, and with several others on the 'possible' list, watch this space..............
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The 100-S pictured is owned by Marco Trevisan of the Swiss Club. The car is pictured on last year's Mille Miglia which Marco competed in. He tells me "Since the completion of the total restoration we have made already more than 20,000 miles, so it's a running car and not only a show piece". I don't know about you but that's how they should be in my opinion. Marco & his car will join us for the full week.
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One of my targets for the event is to get as many 100-S's together as possible. In 1995 the Australian club managed 10, wouldn't it just be nice to beat the Aussies at something?? Therefore I am aiming for 11. Any help in achieving this will be greatly appreciated.
Just think of the sight......eleven 100-S's in a row.........
Paul Woolmer
Special & Historic Car Co-ordinator
e-mail sebring@btinternet.com
Tel +44(0)1234 376119 (evenings & weekends)
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Feb 2002: Incredible 'Special Car' Response
Firstly, what is a 'Special Car'? Of course, all of our Healeys are special. For the purposes of AH-50, Special Cars are defined as any of the following: Ex-Works, competition, or prototype cars, cars of historic interest, & rare or unusual variants. Already we have cars covering each of these categories promised for the weekend.
Our display will take place on Friday & Saturday at Thruxton. Our target for AH-50 is to have the largest gathering of these cars ever brought together, anywhere in the world. We already have over 20 cars confirmed, and it's only February, comprising 100-Ss, 100/6 & 3000 race and rally cars, factory prototypes and coupes; Sprites of just about every variant, Sebring, Le-Mans, Targa Florio and WSM.
A number of the special cars will also be competing in Saturday's race programme. So watch out for them. Several of the cars already promised have not been seen of many years, and in two cases for over 30 years; more details to follow. Watch this space for details & photos of some of the cars you will see in the flesh at Thruxton.
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This month we feature the WSM Sprite, built by Douglas Wilson-Spratt at Delta Garages between 1962 and 1965. Around eight Sprite base cars were built, mostly with aluminium bodies. They competed in many national and international events. So far we have two WSMs confirmed; there are only three known in the UK, and the third will also be there if it is ready in time! They will also be racing on the Saturday.
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If you either own or know of a car which you think fits the above criteria please contact Paul Woolmer at sebring@btinternet.com or telephone +44(0)1234 376119 evenings after 7pm UK time, or weekends.
Paul Woolmer
Special Car Co-ordinator
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