Austin-Healey

Austin-Healey (Austin Healy)

When Donald Healey equipped the new Healey 100 with an Austin automobile engine and gearbox, replacing the previous Healey Riley engines, he did not plan to establish production contacts with Austin. However, in 1952, the head of the Naval Forces (BMS) Leonard Lord (Leonard Lord), seeing the car, immediately offered to purchase it for serial production under the name Austin-Healey 100.

Austin-Healey was formed in 1952 when Austin took advantage of the latest Donald Healy sports car design.

The brand did not exist for long, but provided the Navy (and the United Kingdom) with superiority in the global market for serial sports cars. The first samples were made in 1953, and the last ones in 1970. All 17 years, cars of this brand were developed by Healey in Warwick (Great Britain), and they were made either at the Austin factory in Birmingham or at the MG factory (MJ) in Abingdon. Sales were made through the Navy's sales network, with most of the cars sold in North America.

The first result of the collaboration between Austin and Healey was the "100" model, which later received the "100/4" index, and with the advent of the 6-cylinder version - "100/6"

In total, two generations of Austin-Healey cars were introduced. The first was based on the “100” model, which was gradually modernized over the course of 15 years (the last option is “3000 Mk III). Always used the chassis of large Austin - sedans" A90 "," A105 "and" A99 ". The second generation included a small sports car Sprite (Sprite) with the chassis of the Austin A35 sedan.

The front facing of the "100/4" model had vertical slots. Only the figure “100” flaunted on it, since the “100/4” index appeared much later

Sprite, introduced in 1958, was so successful that when the time came to update its appearance, the Navy decided to sell the modernized car under the names Austin-Healey Sprite and MG Midget (Midjit). In 1967, they proposed the Austin-Healey variant - the MGC model, but it did not get into production. After the formation of the British Leyland concern in 1968, the British leadership began to reduce the range of cars. The Austin-Healey brand has ceased to exist. Only the release of the MG Midget version based on the Sprite model has survived for nine years.

In 1956, the "100" model received a new 6-cylinder 2.6-liter engine with 90 hp, which led to a change in the index to "100/6"

The Healy family collaborated with Jensen to produce Jensen-Healey sports cars in the 70s. In the late 80s. attempts to revive both Austin-Healey models failed.

Austin-Healey 100 (Austin-Healy 100) 1952-1956

The Healey 100 was developed as a successor to the first Healey variants with Riley engines, which were produced in Warwick since 1946. It was assumed that the new car would be cheaper than its predecessors, so it used an engine, gearbox and front suspension from the Austin A90.

On the "100" model, an Austin A90 engine was used with two "SU" carburetors (2.7 L, 90 hp). The maximum speed exceeded 160 km / h

The bearing part of the machine was a powerful longitudinal elements of a closed rectangular section, to which the main body panels were welded. To reduce the overall height, the level of the rear driving axle beam was higher than the level of these elements. The result is a low car with low ground clearance and insufficient vertical suspension. The car received a body with rounded shapes with a folding windshield, created by the designers of the company. On request, it was equipped with a removable hard top. This style, despite significant changes, remained characteristic of the racing Big Healey.

The model "100" is easily identified by the front facing in the form of a shield. She kept this look for 15 years

The first version of the “100 BN1” had a 3-speed gearbox with a boost divider for second and third gears, which turned it into a 5-speed. Since the main 3-speed gearbox was designed for a car with a shift lever on the steering column, the 5-speed gearbox was located on the side of the central tunnel. Three years later, the “BN2” variant appeared, which was distinguished mainly by a 4-speed gearbox and a drive axle with a hypoid main gear. The very next year, the car was completely updated and, having received a 6-cylinder engine, was named 100-Six. It was assembled at a factory in Longbridge. A total of 14,662 4-cylinder Austin-Healey cars were assembled.

Feature (100/4 BN1)

Engine: P4, overhead

Bore and Stroke: 87.3 x 110 mm

Displacement: 2660 cm3

Maximum power: 90 hp

Gearbox: 3-speed manual

Chassis: on a steel base with rectangular side elements

Suspension: independent front on coil springs; rear dependent on leaf springs

Brakes: Drum

Body: double open