History of the Austin Healey
Donald Healey had been manufacturing small sports cars since 1945. As a renowned automotive engineer and designer, he formed his company in an old aircraft components factory in Warwick. In 1952 Healey made and arrangement with Leonard Lord from the Austin division of the British Motor Corporation. During their 20-year agreement, Austin Healey produced some of the most elegant and high-speed sports cars in the world.
Austen Healey has always been recognized as a fast sports car from the very beginning. It has won the National Championships in two of the four classes that it has raced in. In the year of 1953, Austin Healey used a very slim lined body that would break many land speed records in the State of Utah, at Bonneville Salt Flats.
The first Austin Healey was the BN1 100, manufactured between the years of 1953 to 1955. 1955 saw some changes in the BN1 as the 100M was introduced as the BN2. More changes were made to the BN2, and by the year 1956 and 1957 saw the new changes in the BN4, 100-4, and the 100-6, which had 2+2 seats, and also changed to 13/4” SU Carbs. 1958 – 59 introduced the 6-cylinder motor in the BN6 Austin Healey 100-6.
1959 through 1961 brought about the Austin Healey 3000, BN7 Mark 1, which was a 4 seater; however, you could order it with 2 seats when you purchased the BT7 Mark 1. It was suppose to be named “Mille Miglia” after the sports race, but in somehow keep the name 3000 instead. This Mk1 had a 2912 cc I6 engine, front disk brakes, an overdrive gearbox, complete with wire wheels and a detachable hardtop and two-tone paint. During the two years that it was manufactured, there were only 13,650 made. The speedometer topped out at 115 mph, and could reach 0 to 60 in 11.7 seconds. Being so small and lightweight, it had a fuel consumption of 21.6 miles per gallon of fuel.
The MkII was introduced in 1961 with a triple SU carburetor, however the BJ7 had roll up windows, and a curved wind screen instead of a straight one, and it only had 2 carburetors. The front grill had been changed to vertical bars, and the top speed could only reach 112.9 mph, however, now it could reach 0 to 60 in only 10.9 seconds, and it got more gas per gallon, measured at 23.5 mpg. There were 11,564 of these cars made in two years until the introduction of the MkIII in 1963.
The MkIII was the most popular sports car made as it remained on the production line for the next four years, which produce 17,712 vehicles. This BJ8 series was the most powerful, with speeds reaching 150 mph, and it was also a very luxurious auto. It also had Servo Assisted brakes, and the Phase II version modified the rear chassis, which increased the suspension travel.
The Austin Healey 3000 has always been in the racing scene, from Le Mans, France, Bathurst, Australia, and Sebring in the United States, as well as the Mount Panorama Circuit. It does not matter which Austin Healey you choose when you are looking for a used Austin Healey car, you will know that you have chosen one of the very best.
