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Pictures of Austin Healey cars photographed at car shows, musuems, and collector car auctions.
Austin Healey Cars By Year
Austin Healey Pages
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Austin Healey History
1898: Donald Mitchell Healey (DMH) is born in Perranporth, Corwall, England.
1928: DMH wins first RAC Rally
1931: DMH wins Monte Carlo Rally
1945: Donald Healey Motor Company incorporated.
1948: Healey Silverstone roadsters and Healey Abbott & Elliot saloon cars produced.
1949: Donald healey meets George Romney of Nash on the Queen Elizabeth ocean liner
1949: DMH & Tommy Wisdom take Silverstone to 2nd/1st in class on Alpine Rally
1950: Silverstone wins production car race at Brands Hatch
1950: The Nash-Healey coupe and roadster cars are built
1951: DMH and son, Geoff, start designing and building 100 prototype.
1952: The Healey 100 is introduced at the Earl's Court Auto Show. Leonard Lord of Austin signs agreement with DMH to produce the 100 badged as an "Austin Healey." The first 20 Austin Healey cars are built at the Warwick plant
1953: First Longbridge Austin Healey 100 (BN1) is produced.
Production: 94 cars (8/1/52 - 7/31/53)
1958: The Austin Healey Sprite was released, the much-loved "Frog-Eyed-Sprite", has enthusiasts spread around the globe. The headlights were originally intended to be retractable, but due to the costs involved the idea was shelved, and they were just bolted to the bonnet! A good job too, I think. The public sure liked the car, because the company sold almost 40,000.
1967: Production ceases.
1968: Final BJ8 is built - the only car built that year. The Healey 4000 prototype is rejected by British Leyland. Relationship with British Leyland for Austin Healey is ended.
Austin Healey Model Differences
Austin Healey 100/4 Model BN1
Production started May, 1953. 10,030 produced.
Engine: 4 cylinder Transmission: 3 speed.
Radiator grille bars had a satin finish. Crease line of the front wing/door/front of rear wing did not continue to back of rear wing. Ignition to the right of center of the dash.
Austin Healey 100/4 Model BN2
Production started August, 1955. 4,604 produced.
Engine: 4 cylinder Transmission: 4 speed.
Radiator grille bars had a chrome finish. Crease line of the front wing/door/front of rear wing did continue to back of rear wing. Front wheel arch larger than that of the BN1. Ignition in the center of the dash.
Austin Healey 100/6 Models BN4 (2+2) BN6 (2 Seater)
Production started May, 1956. 14,436 produced.
Engine: 6 cylinder 2,639cc had gallery cylinder head and 1.5" carburettors. Later cars (Nov. 1957) had a 12 port cylinder head with 1.75" HD6 cards available. Cars made at Longbridge up to December 1957, had a centre line down the length of the bonnet. Both models had drum brakes on all 4 wheels. All had a 100/6 grille badge.
Austin Healey 3000 Models BN7 (2 Seater) BT7 (2+2) MKI
Production started March, 1959. 13,650 produced.
Engine: 6 cylinder 2,912cc. Front disc brakes. Same body as 100/6. 3000 badge on boot lid.
Austin Healey 3000 Models BN7 (2 Seater) BT7 (2+2) MKII
Production started March, 1961. 5,450 produced.
Engine: 6 cylinder Triple 1.5" HS4 carbs. Vertical grille slats. New badge with MKII text on boot lid. From November, 1961 center change grabox standard.
Austin Healey 3000 Model BJ7 MKIIA
Production started January, 1962. 6,113 produced.
Engine: 6 cylinder reverted back to twin 1.75" carbs. Wrap around windscreen, quarterlights and wind down windows. In June, 1963 changed from 48 spoke wires to 60 spoke.
Austin Healey 3000 Model BJ8 MKIII Phase 1
Production started October, 1963. 1,390 produced.
Engine: 6 cylinder reverted back to twin 2" HD8 carbs. Dual exhaust system with rear silencer. New wood facia dashboard. Electronic tachometer. Gauges with black faces. Continued with pull door handles until
May, 1964.
Austin Healey 3000 Model BJ8 MKIII Phase 2
Production started May, 1964. Changed profile of chassis at the rear under the axle. Radius arms to rear axle replaced panhard rod. Larger lens on sidelight/indicator. Push button door handles with external locks replace pull handle. In March 1965 started seperate amber front and rear indicators.
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