View source for Austin-Healey

{{Short description|Former British sports car maker}}
{{For|the rugby player|Austin Healey}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}

'''Austin-Healey''' was a British sports car maker established in 1952 through a joint venture between the [[Austin Motor Company|Austin]] division of the [[British Motor Corporation]] (BMC) and the [[Donald Healey Motor Company]] (Healey), a renowned automotive engineering and design firm. [[Leonard Lord]] represented BMC and [[Donald Healey]] his firm.

BMC merged with [[Jaguar Cars]] in 1966 to form [[British Motor Holdings]] (BMH). Donald Healey left BMH in 1968 when it merged into [[British Leyland]]. Healey then joined [[Jensen Motors]], which had been making bodies for the "[[the Big Healeys|big Healeys]]" since their inception in 1952, and became their chairman in 1972. Austin-Healey cars were produced until 1972 when the 20-year agreement between Healey and Austin came to an end. 
[[File:Ahealey Motif.jpg|right|thumb|The "Austin-Healey" inscribed badge placed on early models]]

== Models built ==

[[File:Austin Healey 100-4 BN2 vr.jpg|thumb|1956 [[Austin-Healey 100M]] BN2]]
===Austin-Healey 100===

{{Main|Austin-Healey 100}}
::Open 2-seater (minimal weather protection)
* 1953–55 BN1 Austin-Healey 100
* 1955 Austin-Healey 100S (Limited production—50 race-prepared cars)
* 1955–56 BN2 Austin-Healey 100 and 100M
{{clear}}
[[File:1958.austin-healey.100slash6.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|1958 [[Austin-Healey 100-6]] BN4]]
===Austin-Healey 100-6===
{{Main|Austin-Healey 100-6}}
::Open 2+2-seater
* 1956–57 BN4 Austin-Healey 100-6 (2+2 roadster)
* 1957–59 BN4 Austin-Healey 100-6 Change to {{frac|1|3|4}}-inch SU Carbs (2+2 roadster)
* 1958–59 BN6 Austin-Healey 100-6 6-Cylinder (2-seater roadster)
{{clear}}
[[File:1959 Austin Healey 3000 Mk I BN7 (12081332526).jpg|thumb|1959 [[Austin-Healey 3000]] MkI BN7]]
===Austin-Healey 3000===
{{Main|Austin-Healey 3000}}
::Open 2+2-seater
* 1959–61 BN7 Mark I (2-seater roadster), BT7 Mark I (2+2 roadster)
* 1961–62 BN7 Mark II (2-seater roadster), BT7 Mark II (2+2)

{{clear}}
[[File:1965-austin-healey-archives.jpg|thumb|1965 Austin-Healey [[Austin-Healey 3000|3000 Mk III]] BJ8]]
::Convertible 2+2-seater (wind-up windows)

* 1962–63 BJ7 Mark II (2+2 convertible)
* 1963–67 BJ8 Mark III (2+2 convertible)

{{clear}}

===Austin-Healey Sprite===
[[File:Austin Healey MK 1 BW 2016-07-17 13-42-40.jpg|thumb|1960 [[Austin-Healey Sprite]] Mark I AN5]]
{{Main|Austin-Healey Sprite}}
::Open 2-seater
* 1958–61 AN5 Mark I (UK: "Frogeye"; US: "Bugeye")
* 1961–64 HAN6–HAN7 Mark II
::2-seater Roadster<ref>{{cite book |last1=Horler |first1=Terry |title=Original Sprite & Midget |date=12 July 2021 |publisher=Bay View |isbn=978-1870979450 |page=91}}</ref>
* 1964–66 HAN8 Mark III (roll-up windows)
* 1966–69 HAN9 Mark IV
* 1969–70 HAN10 Mark IV (UK only)
* 1971 AAN10 Mark IV (UK only; badged as Austin rather than Austin-Healey)

===Concept cars===

* [[BMW Project Warwick]] (2001)
* [[Austin-Healey Project Tempest|Project Tempest]] ([[Rendering (computer graphics)|render]] only) (2005)
* Unnamed [[HFI Automotive]] Prototype (2006)

==Racing==
The Austin Healey was extensively raced by the Donald Healey Motor Company in Europe at [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]] and at [[Sebring International Raceway|Sebring]] in the U.S., in classic rallies by the BMC competitions department, and was recognised from the very beginning by the [[Sports Car Club of America]] (SCCA). Healey models raced in club racing in D, E, F, G, an H production classes, winning National Championships in all five classes.<ref>{{cite news |title=SCCA Race Results |access-date= |publisher=SCCA}}</ref> The last Big Healey to win an SCCA National Championship was the class E Production Austin-Healey 100-6 driven by Alan Barker at the Daytona ARRC in 1965. 

In 1953, a special streamlined Austin-Healey set several land speed records at the [[Bonneville Salt Flats]] in Utah, USA.

==Attempts at revival==
The rights to the Austin name later passed to [[British Aerospace]] and later [[BMW]] when each bought the [[Rover Group]]. In 2001, BMW revealed the “Project Warwick” concept, a [[Retro-style automobile|retro-styled]], modern interpretation of the Austin Healey built around the aluminium chassis from the [[BMW Z8]]. It is believed that Project Warwick advanced sufficiently enough to necessitate talks with the Healey family, although these talks ultimately broke down and the project was cancelled due to a lack of marque ownership rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Keith |date=19 June 2007 |title=Austin Healey returns |url=https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-shots/austin/austin-healey-returns/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=CAR Magazine |language=en}}</ref> BMW later sold the Rover group to the [[Phoenix Venture Holdings|Phoenix Consortium]] for a nominal £10, creating the [[MG Rover Group]].

During the sale of the MG Rover group following its bankruptcy, Professor Krish Bhaskar, a bidder for the company, revealed the Austin Healey 3000 inspired “Project Tempest” in 2005. Bhaskar stated that the car would use running gear from the [[MG XPower SV]] covered with a lightweight aluminium body. Bhaskar’s bid failed however, and the project never came to fruition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Austin Healey Project Tempest {{!}} Concept Cars {{!}} Diseno-Art |url=http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/concept_cars/austin_healey_tempest.html |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=www.diseno-art.com}}</ref>

The Austin name was subsequently owned by China's [[Nanjing Automobile|Nanjing Automobile Group]], which bought the assets of [[MG Rover Group]] out of bankruptcy in 2005. Nanjing signed a collaborative agreement with [[GB Sports Car]], a company founded by former Rover officials, aiming to bring back production at the Longbridge plant under the MG, Rover and Austin-Healey marques, with the MG XPower SV being rebadged as an Austin-Healey.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowers |first=Simon |date=2005-11-26 |title=High hopes for Austin-Healey revival |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2005/nov/26/6 |access-date=2023-11-23 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The idea to produce Austin-Healey branded cars was later dropped and the deal subsequently stalled.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2006-01-11 |title=Chinese whispers over GB Sports |url=http://www.birminghampost.net/business/chinese-whispers-over-gb-sports-3987708 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Business Live |language=en}}</ref>

After Donald Healey sold his original [[Donald Healey Motor Company]], the Healey brand was registered to a new firm, [[Healey Automobile Consultants]]; the Healey family sold this successor company to British-American consortium [[HFI Automotive]] in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2007 |title=Austin-Healey to get Chinese revival |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/austin-healey-get-chinese-revival |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Autocar |language=en}}</ref> In February 2006, HFI Automotive announced plans for a sports car “with the DNA of a Healey 3000” in coupe and convertible versions, as well as a cheaper car likened to an Austin Healey Sprite. HFI announced that deposits of £1000 were being taken, and prototypes were to be shown later that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 2006 |title=Healey name rises again |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/healey-name-rises-again |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Autocar |language=en}}</ref> No prototypes were shown, but it was reported that HFI developed and tested a running prototype.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2006-01-27 |title=Healey classic set for a comeback after £1m deal |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/jan/27/motoring.lifeandhealth |access-date=2023-11-23 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In June 2007, Nanjing and Healey Automobile Consultants / HFI Automotive signed a collaborative agreement aiming to recreate the Austin Healey and Healey marques alongside [[MG Motor|NAC's MG]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2007-06-13 |title=Nanjing to revive Healey and Austin Healey brands |url=https://www.motortrader.com/general-news/nanjing-to-revive-healey-and-austin-healey-brands-13-06-2007 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Motor Trader |language=en}}</ref> No timeline was given for the Healey and Austin-Healey brands to return, although production of the [[MG F / MG TF|MG TF]] restarted in August that year, and the first all-new MG-branded model in 16 years, the [[MG 6|MG6]], was launched 4 years later in 2011.

The Nanjing Automobile Group later merged with the much larger [[SAIC Motor]], transferring many former British assets including the Austin marque to SAIC.

In 2015, British company [[Healy Designs]] revealed the 'Enigma', a [[Mazda MX-5 (ND)|Mazda MX-5]] based modern interpretation of a Big Healey. The [[kit car]] features a retro style fibreglass body atop an MX-5 chassis, with either a 2.0 litre Mazda engine or a larger V8 from a [[Lexus]] or [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE HEALY ENIGMA - A New Concept in Sports Car Manufacturing |url=https://www.healydesigns.co.uk/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=www.healydesigns.co.uk}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Donald Healey Motor Company]] for the models made by the independent Healey company.
* [[Nash-Healey]] for a Nash-engined pre-Austin sports car by Donald Healey.
* [[Jensen-Healey]] for a later Donald Healey designed sports car.
* [[List of car manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|position=left|Austin-Healey vehicles}}

{{British Car Industry}}
{{British Leyland}}
{{Automotive industry in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sports car manufacturers]]
[[Category:British Leyland vehicles]]
[[Category:1960s cars]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1952]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1952]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1972]]
[[Category:1952 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1972 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:Defunct manufacturing companies of England]]
[[Category:Former joint ventures]]
[[Category:Austin Motor Company|Healey]]
[[Category:Car brands]]