They Are Still Out There

Or: How can I get this Austin-Healey into my garage? I’ve known about this Austin-Healey for 58 years! It’s one of those cars that, for whatever reason, you do not forget… and you actually dream about. My Austin-Healey love affair began in January, 1954 when my father returned from the New York Auto Show with a new BN-1 S/N 149664. My dad, Sam,was not an impulsive man, but had gotten into British sports cars in 1952, when he bought an MG TD. We joined local sports car clubs and began to go to the now legendary Eastern events like Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton and many others. My Uncle Martin Forrer also had a 1950 TD and we all traveled together. So when my uncle and father went to the New York Auto Show to see the new cars, there were no expectations, and then my dad came home with a red BN-1!

My father. Hot stuff in 1955.

Uncle Martin did not wait to order his own Healey 100 and, on June 5th, 1954 he took delivery of BN-1 S/N 155885 from Foreign Motor Sales, in Harrisburg PA. He paid the grand price of $2985.00. Now “the boys” could travel in their matching red machines. In 1954, at the hot-stuff age of 17, one of my biggest thrills was to be given the keys to our Austin-Healey, and drive the original course at Watkins Glen “at speed”—you know, just like Phil Hill in his Ferrari. In those days there were very few controls on the race course, but later, some of their open road racing policies had disastrous results. Well, in 1956 Dad sold our Healey to buy a 1952 Jaguar XK 120 Coupe—fun for him and Mom but not for the rallye and road racing gang. By this time I was off to college and getting an education to earn the big bucks. Maybe I could buy Uncle Martin’s Healey someday?

As time passed, we attended fewer events and Uncle Martin’s Healey was soon covered up in the heated basement garage of their home, with a promise to his daughter Lynne that “we’ll get the Healey out someday soon.” That did not happen until after his passing. I offered to buy the car at that point but it was a family treasure, although I did get a promise that I would be at the top of the list.

Years passed and in 1986 I was called by his widow, Aunt Virginia, to get the Healey roadworthy so Lynne could drive it (it had 16,000 miles on it). Gads, a good looking, unmarried girl driving “my Healey”! The guys will be all over her and the car…what good could come of this? The good news is that she loved and respected the Healey as much as anyone, and it was well maintained by Kelby Steele of Camp Hill, PA. In time, she did get married, and again, I concluded that the Healey would stay in that part of the family.

Prayers answered
In 2005, I heard that Lynne and her husband Mike were going to build a house… that was my chance! I asked if the Healey might be for sale. A year later, we received a note from them. It was her desire that the car should be driven and enjoyed and their lifestyle did not permit them to enjoy the vehicle and…since we were at the “top of the list”, did we want to buy it? We said most definitely “YES, and you don’t have to call anyone else!” At that time it had 18,253 miles on it, and while a bit dusty, was none the worse for wear. Original top, tonneau cover, tools, side curtains and jack—the original spare also remained in the boot!!! 

After we bought it, we checked it out mechanically and took a few short trial runs. It was bathed, polished and put on the road to a few very special events. We’ve attended the British car show, Meeting of the Marques at Allenberry PA, ‘British Invade Gettysburg’, as well as the AACA national meet at Hershey PA, where it received recognition as an HPOF (Historically Preserved Original Features) vehicle. It’s a strong runner and a delight to display for those who can appreciate a vehicle in original condition.

And so… 58 years later, it remains in the same extended family, and shows 19,255 miles on the odometer. With few exceptions, this BN1 is totally original. If anyone needs to use it as a reference, just contact us. AH Club Official Roger Moment has already been collecting some data from it. I guess what this story also says is: Don’t give up on your dreams … don’t tell anybody the hiding place of that really great car.

By Dave English