Like other British manufacturers in the early '50s, the Healey works built some streamliners and endurance cars for Bonneville to prove their worth to the U.S. market: Those cars were all s****ped, but now have been re-created: Healey Bonneville Update<!--/IP_NAME--><!--IP_SUB***LE--><!--/IP_SUB***LE--><!--IP_BYLINE--><!--/IP_BYLINE--><!--/IP_HEAD--><!--IP_CONTENT--><!--IP_IMG1--><!--/IP_IMG1--><!--IP_GRTOP REMOVED--> <!--IP_PDESCR-->Patrick QuinnAfter a gap of 55 years, big Healeys are set to return in 2009 to the salt flats of Bonneville. In 1953 the Austin-Healey 100 was new to the motoring world and especially the burgeoning U.S. market. What better way to gain publicity for the car than to set speed records, and what better place than the famed salts flats at Bonneville in the state of Utah? In that year the Donald Healey Motor Company built a special version of the Austin-Healey 100 sports car with the aim of setting both high-speed as well as endurance records. This Endurance car, looking not too dissimilar to a standard Austin-Healey 100 was driven by Donald Healey himself, George Eyston, Carroll Shelby, Mort Goodall, and Roy Jackson Moore. The following year they went back, more ambitious than before. Not only did they return with the more developed Endurance car from the year before, but also a special Streamliner that was based on a standard ch***is, but with its body fitted with nose and tail extensions and a stabilising fin. The Endurance car went on to bag a whole raft of long-distance records from 200km to 5,000km and 1 to 24 hours, while the supercharged Streamliner with Donald Healey at the wheel achieved a high of 192.74 mph. Publicity was ***ured as the record breaking went on right in Americas backyard and was the perfect kick-start of the American love affair with the Austin-Healey. It certainly worked, as 84 percent of total Austin-Healey production was sold to North America. While the two cars were brought back to England, the Streamliner returned to Bonneville in 1956, in much modified form and with six-cylinder power, where it was even more successful. Subsequently both cars suc***bed to the ravages of the salt, however bits and pieces were known to survive. Decades later, Dutch Austin-Healey enthusiast Wiet Huidekoper, in a worldwide search, located many of these actual parts. He then approached Austin-Healey expert Steve Pike of Marsh Cl***ic Restorations from Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia, with the idea of reconstructing the cars of 1954 so they could return to Bonneville. With access to the original personal records and design drawings of Geoff Healey, as well as the historic parts, the cars are now near completion and the target is to debut the Endurance car in March 2009 at the Historic races at Phillip Island, Australia. Those behind what will no doubt be the most exciting Austin-Healey venture in recent times have set up a website so that enthusiasts can track the events as they occur. The site address is:- www.healeysreturntobonneville.com Hopefully, we'll see some new records set. Rick
nice, always have had a soft spot for the big healy's. My dad brought one home when I was 7, in 1970. It was a 100-4
This was my dad's Austin Healey he race at bonneville and the dry lakes back in the late 50's and early 60's.
Very cool. Did some research and saw your Dad did 167.59 on the salt in his Healey. http://www.sportscars.tv/Newfiles/bonneville61.html Must have had balls of ***anium! Here's my SBF Healey project: http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,8264 How do you think a pair of Porter mufflers with side dumps would sound on this one?
Well, I'm impressed! Looks beautiful, too! My street/strip Morris (not beautiful) did 140 on the salt, before going all whacky. This year, I'll be crewing on a Berkeley, if that counts. But I'll be watching you guys. Go get 'em! Scotty
For the most part in the 50s and 60s you had your hot rodders and you had your sports car guys. But there were a few that wanted European handling and American power. That''s what led to Allards, Shelby Cobras and even Max Balchowsky getting into V8 Healeys: http://www.onlinebiographies.com/page11.html j I suppose the rodders hate us and the Healey concours guys hate us, too. That's why they call us the "Nasty Boys"
I tried seeing your car with the link you gave, but for some reason it didn't work. I have to say it would sound cool as hell with porters! They sound great on every thing, plus they are vintage.
For those interested in following the Healey team's daily exploits on the Salt, you can check this blog: http://healeysreturntobonneville.blogspot.com/
Hey, Some serious cool, there! Do any build photos exist from Steve Marsh/Cl***ic Restorations of Oz.? That body looks great! S****ey Devils C.C. " Youe head would look good on a pike"
Here's a pic of the original Streamliner on display: and here's a shot of the Streamliner and Endurance Car on display last week at Portland:
Wow - that original Streamliner looks very slippery. About the only recognizable parts are the door and fender spear trim. But the turquoise 100-4 (LeMans?) gets my blood pumping again. I salvaged a V-8 conversion job; SBC and Pontiac rear-end;scary ride. The only car I miss more is my '60 3000. Woulda, coulda, shoulda!
Friday, September 18, 2009 BREAKING NEWS : first official run of the Streamliner : 149.5 MpH! Healey history does repeat itself in a truly international effort to bring excitement and real pleasure to many enthusiasts! Today was one of the most emotional days in modern Healey history. Today both cars had to wait a long time to get out there, but eventually had the run. Thanks to the support and ***istantce of the numerous Healey enthusiasts on the Salt. True to 1954 form following some initial supercharger drive issues, David Pike achieved 149.5 MpH on the Salt qualifying for Rookie status. Above is the acceleration chart of the Healey Streamliner which topped 150Mph on our Speed GPS. Congratulations to the whole Healey Team, friends and driver Dave Pike for this unforgetable day! The Endurance Car got up to 122 MpH. The Endurance Car leaving in anger from the starting line on the Salt in Bonneville. (picture by Jim Cox)
Here's a nice photo report by Tim Moran of the Healeys at Bonneville as well as some other cars. http://www.ntahc.org/pastevents/2009/HealeysReturnToBonneville/aMiller/Miller.htm
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