[Healeys] [Fwd: Re: VIR Races and Works Healeys]

[Joe and Lenore Armour]

VIR B-18 ?
Sorry this response is late but for those still interested I realize 
that I had the following information on a special Healey.

The Donald Healey Motor Co. built and entered several lightweight  BJ.7s 
and one BJ.8 in the annual Sebring 12Hour race as it was part of the 
World Manufacturers Championship and an important part of the publicity 
of Healeys in their major market, Nth. America.

!963 two cars were entered and a third taken as a spare. Known as their 
UK license nos. 54FAC,56FAC and 57FAC.  
54FAC is in UK, and has been for many years with Arthur Carter and when 
I saw it it had been painted BRG over the original DMH Healey works 
colour of Healey blue and white tops.
56FAC was owned and restored by Phil Coombes and raced by him in USA
57FAC was also owned and heavily rebuilt by P. Coombes before being sold 
to Victor Gauntlett for approx. UK 200,000 pound during the peak prices 
of 1990. this car is now in Australia.

1964 there was only one works Sebring 3000, 767KNX,  and after Sebring 
it was in the hands of Ted Worswick for many years and he competed in 
the North American Challenge in the 1990,s (?)
When advertised in UK 2007 before being purchased by the owner who raced 
it at VIR the car has incorrectly been listed as having also won its 
class at Sebring in the 1965 event.

1965 Healeys built only one a BJ.8, in fact the last by the factory,  
known as DAC953C and it raced alongside the first of the streamliner 
Sebring/Lemans Sprites known as DAC952C.
Geoff Healey viewed DAC953C in Australia and has confirmed in writing 
that it is the 1965 entry. This car has a unique trunk lid like no other 
Healey and the paint colour and spray pattern shown in 1965 photos taken 
at the works is still exactly the same today. This was the first works 
3000 to come to Australia, 1977, and at time the was little knowledge of 
the blue/white lightweight race Healeys. See the book on 'Sebring 1965', 
page 97, to see the Healey hard at work. Coincidentally the car was 
driven by an Australian, Paul Hawkins , who went on to drive for the 
works Ford GT.40 team

These BJ.7 & BJ.8 race cars all look similar but each has small 
differences as you would expect when different race crews hand prepare 
cars in different years.

The earlier roadster cars were BRG and known as UJB141, 142 & 143. These 
cars were raced and two others prepared for BMC Nth America/Canada. It 
was one of these that was purchased by David Dixon and raced at LeMans 
as DD300.  Once in the hands of John Chatham this race car became the 
best known racing Healey in UK.

There are options when current owners consider building a replica or 
similar to, Works Healeys.
Think blue/white lightweight race cars.
Just a minor point but the Works rally cars were owned by the MG Car 
Co.!!!!!!!!!!

Also consider, the non standard Healeys are more valuable!!!!!

Just an obscure view of one bloke so dont get too excited.
Joe