Healey

GB, 1946 – 1954

Donald Healey Motor Co Ltd, Warwick

Donald Healey’s first production Healey car used a welded-up chassis and trailing-arm type independent front suspension, power being provided by the well-tried 2.4-litre 4-cylinder ohv Riley engine. At the time of its introduction the Healey car was the world’s fastest series-production saloon (104.7mph for the flying-start mile) and cost £1.598. Early competition successes of Healey cars included class victories in the 1947 and 1948 Alpine Rallies, a second place overall in the 1949 event, and a win in the touring-car class of the 1949 Mille Miglia. This Healey car model was made in small numbers until 1954, later versions including the lightweight Healey Silverstone two-seater of 1950, and some roomier Healey car saloons and convertibles by Tickford. A 1950 export-only version of the Healey car for sale by Nash had that firm’s 3.8-litre ohv 6-cylinder engine, and took 4th place at Le Mans in the same year. Only 506 of these Healey cars were sold. A home-market version used the 3-litre Alvis power unit. In 1952 Healey sought to reach a wider market with a 2.7-litre Austin-engined sports two-seater, manufacture of which was taken over by Austin. With the delivery of the last Nash-Healey cars in August 1954, production at Warwick came to an end.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS

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H.W.M.

GB, 1950 – 1956

H.W. Motors Ltd, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

John Heath and George Abecassis supported Formula 2 racing energetically in the 1950 – 1953 period with Alta-powered 2-litre and 2½-litre HWM cars, and did much for Britain’s prestige at a time when the national livery was seldom seen on the circuits. These HWM cars had twin ohc 4-cylinder engines, all-round independent suspension and preselector (later, Jaguar synchromesh) gearboxes. In 1952 a 1-2-3 victory was achieved with HWM cars in the International Trophy at Silverstone, but in spite of frequent HWM successes and Paul Frère’s win, with an HWM car, in the Grand Prix des Frontieres at Chimay, the HWM car company lacked the finance to compete on even terms with the Italians. Very few HWM cars were sold, though the HWM company later made and raced larger sports HWM cars with such engines as the 3.4-litre 240bhp Jaguar D engine, tubular ladder-type frame and a De Dion rear axle. The manufacture of HWM cars ceased with John Heath’s death in 1956.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@postwarclassic.com