Healey and other fine cars News Bulletin

The ‘showcasing’ of the Warwickshire County Record Office’s Healey Motor Company archive, via the WHMCA Bulletin had “run its course”; the last edition (X) of that Bulletin was published in September 2018.

I did indicate that I would like to keep subscribers and other readers of those Bulletins, informed of any interesting news, relating to Healey cars, that I came across. Little did I know that I would have that opportunity presented to me so quickly.

Readers that have been with us from the start may recall that in the WHMCA Bulletin III (December 2017) we received a post from Chuck Huber (a.k.a. ‘Rocky’) of Az. U.S.A., featuring a ‘customised’ Austin Healey 100 that he had encountered at last year’s ‘Run to the Pines’ auto show. The questions that I asked Chuck at the time were “Is this car an original ‘M’ version of the AH 100?” and ” Where did those front wing (fenders) louvers originate?”.                                                                                       

Despite our best efforts neither Chuck or myself could track down the owner of the car, Mr. Byron Harding, in order to ask those questions. So they would remain unanswered, or, so I thought. Then, a couple of weeks ago I received another email from Chuck telling me that he had attended this year’s ‘Run to the Pines’ event and “lo and behold” Byron was also there with his Austin Healey 100. Chuck was able to have a word with him and this is what he said. –

” No, the car is not an original ‘M’ version, it is not even a replica! but I have done a lot of work to it”. “The side louvers are my own work, in fact, they are not welded into the fender, but bonded; using an ‘English’ wheel to create an “s” shaped lip, and then affixed with aircraft-grade adhesive and then prepped for sanding and painting”.

He felt they really complimented the louvers on the bonnet.

It appears that others shared his view because the car won “Best in Class” for Import Sports Cars at this year’s ‘Run to the Pines’ event. Well done Byron!

I would have liked to have contacted Byron, for him to tell us more about his car but he didn’t leave his contact details. If you read this article Byron, – please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

Here are Chuck’s photos taken at the 2018 ‘Run for the Pines’ auto show –

Byron Harding’s ‘customised’ Austin Healey 100

Chuck’s own automotive ‘love’ – De Tomaso Pantera. Chuck is a member of the Arizona Chapter of the Pantera Owners Club of America.

So, hopefully, Chuck’s email and photos of Byron’s Austin Healey 100, will kick start a new Bulletin venture into life.

I will certainly post details of any Healeys or “other fine cars” that I encounter and would encourage you to do the same. If you own a classic car, Healey or otherwise, that you would like to share news of with other like minded enthusiasts, than please send details to healey.newsbulletin@carsceneinternational.com

A visit to the British Car Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire.

On the 16th October I paid a visit to the British Motor Museum along with other volunteers from the Warwickshire Record Office. There are many great car oriented museums around the World, I have been to a few of them myself; the BMM certainly ranks among the best in terms of its presentation style, facilities and friendliness/knowledge of staff. There is one feature which some might think as being either a weakness or a strength – it is dedicated to British made cars with a strong bias to cars that are identified with BMC and British Leyland. Don’t go there expecting to see Ferraris, Lamborghinis or even Cadillacs but if you are interested in the history of British cars ,especially Jaguars, this is the place for you.                                                                                                                                                                                   

Even better, if you are an automotive researcher, the museum has an extensive archive of documents and photographs pertaining to the different marques that constituted the BMC and British Leyland companies.

Here are a few of the photos that I took –

Jensen FF, This car has “pride of place” in the foyer of the Museum. It is on loan from the Jensen Museum in Shropshire
Swallow bodied Austin Seven. One of the first models to be produced by the company that would become Jaguar
SS1 One of the first complete cars produced by SS the forerunner of Jaguar.
1950 Daimler 5.5Ltr. straight eight DE 36 drop-head coupe
MG PB Midget motor show cut -away display model
1951 Austin A40 Sport. A series production model made by Jensen Motors for Austin. This put Jensen in a good position to win the contract to build the Austin Healey 100 bodies.

 

To see other photos from my visit to the British Motor Museum go to this link –

Another visit to the British Motor Museum

 

Other Links –

Warwick Healey Archive Bulletin III

Nick

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Contact – healey.newsbulletin@carsceneinternational.com

 

 

A scrolling road sign seen in Vilamoura Portugal