Healeys

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Before austin powers…

Donald Healey is understandably mainly associated with the later Austin-Healeys but before this tie up, he produced some of the country’s finest sports cars and GTs, such as the Healey Silverstone. This car may have lasted only two years in production, but it soon became revered as a cheaper alternative to a Frazer Nash. Based upon orthodox Healey saloon running gear but with an advanced Riley twin cam engine (although Alvis and Nash-derived power units were also used) and a sophisticated suspension, early Healeys were far more urbane than the later BMC-derived offerings. Sadly, despite their prowess on road and track, these traditional Healeys were never commercial successes and production inevitably made way for the more popular Austin-Healeys. Today, £150K asking prices are not unknown for super Silverstones but lesser Healeys, with more of a slant on touring, such as the Abbot and Tickford, can be bought for around £30,000.