From an early age, Donald Healey had a passion for mechanics. He became a works driver for Invicta in 1930. Not only a driver, but also a tester, he modified machines to make them more competitive.
After becoming an engineer, he joined Riley in 1933, then Triumph in 1934, where he became Technical Director.
It was at Humber that Donald Healey met the people with whom he would build the first Healey: Sammy Sampietro, an Italian who had worked at Alfa Romeo and Maserati, and Ben Bowden, a stylist from Pinin Farina.
Donald Healey wanted to build a very sporty roadster. The car will be fitted with Austin’s 2.6-liter four-cylinder engine and distributed by Austin dealers. It would be called the Austin Healey.
The car was presented in 1952 at the London Motor Show, where the Austin Healey 100 (for 100 mph) was one of the stars.
In July 1959, the Austin Healey 3000 (for 3L) was launched, transforming the wild English roadster into a luxurious, comfortable convertible. This gentrification went hand in hand with the gentrification of its clientele.
Positioned between the Triumph TR3 and MGA on the one hand, and the Jaguar XK at the top of the range on the other, the Austin Healey sold 73,000 units and served as a superb locomotive for the Austin range, an icon of the great British roadster era.
The Austin Healey 3000 is known as the “Big Healey”, in reference to its large three-liter engine. Its timeless lines make it one of the most beautiful British cars of the post-war era.
