Racing Healey 100 Chevrolet Restoration and History

Road America '500' 8 September 1957

#89 Wilson William G. Chicago Illinois, Wm. G. Wilson, Tom Fox, Corvette:

http://www.racingspo...1957-09-08e.jpg

Listed in SPORTS CAR NEWSLETTER, S.C.C.A., No 32, September 30, 1957:

DNF #89 Corvette-Healey BS William Wilson

RGDS RLT

a buddy found an 100s in a junkyard with a blown motor in 67

he had no idea it was a rare car nor was it valuable then

only when the car was being moddied to fit bigger tyres [slicks or goodyear race tyres]

did he discover the ''S'' meant al alloy body that ''cut like butter''

he needed the big tyre for the 283 race motor he dropped in it

he had the same car as this thread only build by kids on a kids budget

so looking beat up bad paint and loud it won a fair number of cash races on local back roads

it was a low 12 sec high 11 when perfect street driver match racer 1/4 mile drags

and he beat a few local legends in hemi's and big block vets with that 100s chevy

I do not recall rear end problems or the cars current fate nor does the builder

trans was a chevy 4 speed

1961 Tucson Arizona Divisionals, Tucson Municipal Airport

 

#44 Art Murphy, Phoenix, AR, Chev-Healy BM

 

http://www.cliffreut...an/arizona2.jpg

 

RGDS RLT

Some amazing info on that site. Thanks so much.

Hershey Hill Climb, April 2/3 1960

See #35 Richard E. Floyd, Elizabethtown PA, A-H Corvette
 

http://www.cliffreut...lts1960.htm#her

 

RGDS RLT

Ron Mann reports 4th place in C Mod at Spring event.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 05 December 2017 - 02:21.

Tim:

Duryea Hillclimb, 1958:

#26 Austin Healey-Chevrolet

I've marked up the clip you want in comments starting at 9:42

Also see newspaper cutting in footage at end ref Richard Matthews (who may also appear at the prize-giving?).

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 15 December 2017 - 13:51.

What great footage. I could not get sound to work. Is it there for others?

Tim, You can't have jam on both sides!

See: http://www.cliffreut...lts1959.htm#DUR

Duryea, June 4/5/6 1959:

#121 Dick Matthews, Red Bank N.J. Chevrolet-Healy 4300

#122 Stewart Knowlton, Kirkwood, N.Y. Chevrolet-Healy 4630 '54

So two cars were entered, the second with a bigger lump!

RGDS RLT 

Giants Despair, Wilkes Barre, PA, 20 July 1956:

Third in C Mod: #78 A H V 8, Dick Matthews, 1:16.204

RGDS RLT

https://www.historic...ival-Debut/2753

https://www.historic...ival-Debut/2753

I suspect the Yanks may have fitted a Chev around that time or before. 

It resolved a lot of expensive to repair engines by simply fitting a more powerfull simpler home grown engine.

The Chev and a bit later Ford Windsor engine was the go too fix. Even a few LA Mopars I believe.

a buddy found an 100s in a junkyard with a blown motor in 67

he had no idea it was a rare car nor was it valuable then

only when the car was being moddied to fit bigger tyres [slicks or goodyear race tyres]

did he discover the ''S'' meant al alloy body that ''cut like butter''

he needed the big tyre for the 283 race motor he dropped in it

 

he had the same car as this thread only build by kids on a kids budget

so looking beat up bad paint and loud it won a fair number of cash races on local back roads

it was a low 12 sec high 11 when perfect street driver match racer 1/4 mile drags

and he beat a few local legends in hemi's and big block vets with that 100s chevy

 

I do not recall rear end problems or the cars current fate nor does the builder

trans was a chevy 4 speed

The big Austin diff is quite strong if treated a little gently. A very common item used here on  speedway Supermodifieds and Super Sedans.

In not doing so, Greg, I was guided by a few things.

First, Alan always referred to himself as 'THE' Alan Jones. He would not expect any further explanation.

Second, other elements in the post (imported in the seventies, restored a Healey 100S etc) detract from any thought that might lead to confusion.

Finally, anyone reading this, and looking at the date of the post, would know it didn't refer to Alan Stanley Jones, 1980 World Champion, who still lives.

The only Alan Jones I have heard of besides Stans little boy  is the radio boofhead.

Or do I show my youth?

You're right about engine weight, Lee, but I don't see that it would be further back without alterations.

The gearbox would be heavier as it seems they went for Jaguar boxes. And there's more to the final drive than there might be.

The first of the Austin Healey 100s had the rear end out of the A90 Atlantic with 4-stud wheels etc. This was somewhat marginal even with the original engine in competition.

Later cars had the rear end with which you would be more familiar, as used in the big sixes and the J-vans, as far as I know the tallest ratio was a 3.54:1. Okay if the Jag box was even heavier and had an overdrive, I guess.

3.55 was the tallest I am aware of. Then 3.89 and 4.11, 5,1 and 5.6, then 6. 1. With the tiniest pinion in captivity!! I have been told of a 3.7 also though have never seen one.

Though WHY would you ever want to use a heavy slow shifting Jag box. 

Vettes had 4 speeds from around 58 and the T10 would be far better,, and bolt to the Chev engine. I suppose I you had one maybe but in reality only for a fairly short period. And lucky engines probably then only had 300hp max.

FWIW I'd mention that a Healey V8 (I think a  Chevy- 6.6 litre anyway ) is currently  racing in CSCC race series in UK. The owners, are John  and James Plant from Northampton - I spoke to them recently and despite the car being  described as 3000 it is/was  actually a 100/6 converted to V8 power in Florida in the late 60s 

This contribution adds nothing to the op's request, but it is a 100/4 with a Chevy on board.

I have a pic on here somewhere with a Healey with a quad webered 302 Ford. Probably one of the historic Mallala events. 2016 at a guess.

Excellent post, SpecialKS, many thanks. It gives the full story. I was very impressed with how the car/driver performed at Goodwood, not the easiest circuit to get to know confidently for those extra seconds.
Many thanks
Roger Lund

Maybe also interesting:

https://www.facebook...32045626819568/

Thanks for the link o the FB article on the Kennard car.  I have an original of the magazine  now.