Jensen introduced the Jensen GT Shooting Brake in 1975 hoping to see the same success that MG realized with the BGT. With more luxurious trim and more gentrified image, the car was to sell at a higher price and generate more profits to keep the struggling company afloat. Jensen was – reportedly – losing money…
Widely considered to be the most successful Sprite ever built, WJB 707 was constructed as a Works Rally Car by the BMC Competitions Department for use in the upcoming Tour de Corse with Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom behind the wheel. Upgrades included disc brakes, wire wheels and an improved suspension but a gearbox failure…
The Demola Healey was constructed by Carosserie Demola in Belgium for a minor noble named Barron Van Assche. The body was attached to BN1 chassis number 150649 and reportedly took four months to build. The car was presumably sold later on to an individual that fitted a blower to the engine and installed Alfin brake…
The Austin A40 Sports evolved from a series of joint venture projects between Austin and Jensen Motors. Inspired by the Jensen Interceptor, Austin’s Chairman Leonard Lord wanted to sell a Jensen bodied touring car using A40 mechanicals that would serve as a “halo” car for the entire A40 model range. The car was designed by…
If you have owned a British car and most of you that visit this page have owned several, then the term MOWOG has likely been a part of your life for years. What does it mean, however, and how did the word find its way onto countless cars from Austin, Morris, Wolseley, MG and Healey?…
As an automotive designer, Freeman Thomas has styled some of the most iconic designs of the past several decades. The guiding hand behind the original Audi TT, the striking Volkswagen New Beetle, the imposing visage of the Chrysler 300C and the resurrection of the Ford Mustang, Thomas honed his skills at Porsche, Audi, VW and…
When BMC discontinued A90 engine in favor of a larger Morris designed engine for its larger Austin, Morris and Wolseley sedans, Donald Healey was forced to abandon plans to adopt the 100S competition engine for production use and find a way to install the corporate C-series six-cylinder engine into its small roadster. Despite seeming to…
Let’s talk about period British sports car advertisements. Going through some images recently I came across these period advertisements for some of our favorite British sports cars. Taking a moment to look at them and admire the images, I was struck by something unusual. Namely, I was taken aback at how small the individuals depicted…
When Adrian Mitu was an architecture student in Bucharest, Romania, he would often spend his idle moments lost in thought contemplating vintage and classic cars. After graduation in 2013, he decided to forego his chosen discipline and enter the world of automotive design. A fan of former BMW designer Chris Bangle – the creator of…
The Donald Healey Motor Company completed its first car immediately following the end of World War II and series production began with the Elliott saloon and Westland roadster in 1946. Both models were powered by the 2.4-liter Riley engine and featured a trailing arm independent suspension designed by Healey. In addition to the Elliott and…
