[Healeys] FW: Sebring 3000s

[J & L Armour]

Blokes
A subject dear to me

First of all what do we all mean by 'the works'?

Jensen was the 'works' that Healeys were made at, less engine,gearbox and
wheels (see the pics available on some magazines/books)

MG Competition Dept later to become BMC Competition Dept. builder of 'works'
rally cars

MG Assembly line where the bits supplied by BMC that were missing when the
assembled chassis and interior was delivered from Jensen ( six at a time on
the back of a car transporter.)  Standard production car 'works'

Rally Healeys were built at the BMC Comps Dept and owned by MG Car Co.

Sebring UJB141, 142,143 and 144 were I think built at BMC Comps.

The BJ.7 1963 and 1964 cars were built at the Donald Healey Motor Co Warwick
'works' and owned by Healeys and fitted with a 'HEALEY' chassis plate.

My car the last, a BJ.8, was identified on the HEALEY chassis plate as :
TYPE  --    GT

Aux. lights were actually the fog type lens. Bodies were the same as the
clear lens 'driving' light

The BJ.7 lights were mounted with the single rear hollow bolt standard on
these Lucas lights and the shroud had a recessed bowl to recess the body of
the light.
My BJ.8 has the same light but it is mounted direct to the shroud without
the recess.

Remember that these Sebring cars were built as long distance, lightweight
circuit racers. I think DAC953C is just on the tonne in weight.  No wood
dash or centre console, no door window glass or interior door trim.  At
least the 1963 & 64 cars were without overdrive but DAC953C has it although
Geoff Healey could not remember if that was the case for Sebring 12 Hours

I am pleased to say that I have had DAC953C since 1977 when I rang a USAF
Major in London and he sent the car out from Mountain Home Idaho.  In those
days there was virtually nothing in print about these cars. Probably as they
were not part of the BMC publicity chain as much as other brands in the
group. One of the 1963 cars was used widely in a Champion spark plug advert
in the motoring press of the day.

Sorry about the lecture.
Joe