Austin-Healey Big Healey: Books - History (2/2)

Austin Healey 100-6 & 3000 (Rally Giants)

This is the complete story of the Austin Healey 100-6 and 3000's rallying history, told in all its glory by expert motoring historian Graham Robson, as part of the `Rally Giants' series.
In nine eventful years - 1957 to 1965 - the six-cylinder-engined Austin Healey evolved into a formidable and increasingly specialised rally car. By any standards, it was the first of the `homologation specials' - a type made progressively stronger, faster, more versatile, and more suitable for the world's toughest International rallies.

Though the motorsport foundations had been laid by the Healey Motor Co. Ltd, the work needed to turn these cars into rock-solid 210bhp projectiles was almost all completed by the world-famous `works' BMC Competitions Department at Abingdon. It was because of their vast experience that the `Big Healeys' (as they were affectionately known) became fast and tough, nimble yet durable, so that they were capable of winning major events wherever traction could be assured.

Not only did the works Austin Healeys win some of the world's most famous events - including Liege-Sofia-Liege, Spa-Sofia-Liege and the French and Austrian Alpine rallies - but they were also supremely fast on events like the Tulip, and came so close, so often, to winning their home event, the British RAC Rally, which traditionally ended the season.
This book lists each and every success, each and every notable car, and traces exactly how the machinery developed, and improved, from one season to the next.

Information

Author:	Graham Robson
Details:	128 pages, 19.5 x 21 x 1.6 cm / 7.7 x 8.25 x 0.63 in, paperback
Illustrations:	140 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2018)
Series:	Rally Giants
ISBN:	9781787113244

The Big Healeys

With their sleek and powerful looks, the big Austin-Healeys have always made an impression. In this revealing book, the author explores the development of the "Big" Healeys, as distinct from the smaller Austin-Healey Sprite, to produce a comprehensive and compelling account of one of the iconic British sports cars.

After Donald Healey's sports car design impressed the managing director of Austin, Leonard Lord, at the 1952 London Motor Show, Healey was given the engineering back-up that he needed to produce the car in quantity.
Teaming up with Jensen Motors to produce the bodywork, Austin provided the mechanical components at their Longbridge factory. The new car was known as the Austin-Healey 100, because it could achieve 100 mph.

This book also follows the development of the Austin-Healey 100-Six and the Austin-Healey 3000, describing both the technical developments and the achievements of the cars in competitions and as record-breakers.
Every enthusiast of the marque should have this comprehensive review of the design and manufacture of the Big Healeys on their bookshelf, which reveals previously untold stories to tell you the real story of these magnificent vehicles and the men that made them possible.

Information

Author:	John Nikas
Details:	96 pages, 23.5 x 16.5 x 1.1 cm / 9.25 x 6.5 x 0.43 in, paperback
Illustrations:	100 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781445673806

Austin-Healey 100 & 100/6 (1952-1959) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Austin-Healey 100, 100/4, 100/6, 100/S, 100/M and Mille Miglia models from the years 1952-1959.

• The articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

Information

Details:	180 pages, 27 x 20 x 1.1 cm / 10.6 x 7.9 x 0.43 in, paperback
Illustrations:	450 photos
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 1990)
Series:	Gold Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855200487

More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

Austin Healey : The story of DD 300

This first title in a brand-new series of Porter Profiles throws the spotlight on one of the most successful Big Healeys of all time. Registered UJB 143, it was a works entry for the Sebring 12 Hours and Le Mans 24 Hours in 1960.

After being sold to the privateer Ecurie Chiltern outfit, it was re-registered DD 300 and returned to the famous French enduro in '61 and '62. It then passed to Healey stalwart John Chatham and would regularly be raced over the next four decades, in everything from Modsports to sprints and finally historic events.

The Healey's long and successful career continues with its current owners and it is all covered in this fascinating new book, complete with a superb selection of period photographs.

Information

Author:	Simon Ham
Details:	96 pages, 23 x 25.5 x 1.6 cm / 9.1 x 10 x 0.63 in, paperback
Illustrations:	85 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Porter Press International (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781907085703

Works Healeys In Detail - Healey, Nash-Healey and Austin-Healey works competition entrants, car by car

Donald Healey began rallying in the 1920s and soon won fame for his exploits on European rallies. Already a successful businessman, his dream was to become a car manufacturer himself, particularly a manufacturer of high-performance cars, and in 1946 he launched the first two models, the Westland roadster and the Elliott saloon, from his small factory in Warwick.

The Elliott was the fastest saloon car of its day, proving capable of over 110mph, and by 1947 was enjoying a rallying career. These models were followed by the stark Silverstone and the elegant Tickford saloon, the Nash-Healey and then the famous 100, which was rapidly adopted by Austin to become the first in the Austin-Healey line that developed into the 100/6 and the 3000, with the perky Sprite joining along the way.

This book tells of the story of Donald Healey's cars in the world of rallying, racing and record attempts from the the late 1940s through to the last racing Austin-Healey Sprite in 1967.
In between he produced competiton versions of the Austin-Healey 100 and 100S, the 100/6 and the gloriously successful 3000, a brutal and wayward machine that won countless international rallies in the 1960s in the hands of great drivers like Pat Moss, Timo Makinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk, to name but a few.

The author describes the career of each of the works cars individually - entries, drivers and results, with nearly all cars illustrated. In addition there is detailed colour photography of some important surviving examples.

Information

Author:	Graham Robson
Details:	176 pages, 25.5 x 25.5 cm / 10 x 10 in, hardback
Illustrations:	200+ b&w and colour photos's
Publisher:	Herridge & Sons Ltd (GB, 2018)
ISBN:	9781906133795

Austin Healey - La race des bouledogues

The models created by Donald Healey and his son Geoffrey played a key role in Britain's reputation as a leading producer of sports cars in the 1950s and 1960s.

This book highlights one of the most prestigious British vehicles, combining elegance, aesthetics and power. It is of course the prestigious Austin Healey brand.
The author introduces us to the most famous models and their variants from 1946 to 1972, from the iconic Austin Healey 100 to the Jensen-Healey, including the Sprite and the Midget.

Information

Author:	Jon Pressnell
Details:	192 pages, 27 x 21 cm / 10.6 x 8.25 in, hardback
Illustrations:	numerous b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2014)
ISBN:	9782726897553