The Healey family--Donald and Geof--still had engineering license to modify
the Austin-Healeys (look at the one-off "X": cars) as well as manage the
early competition cars--especially the road racers.
Their names will be synonymous with the cars that they had direct influence
over. And that includes everything through the one-off Escort they worked
on.
This new car should be judged on its own merit. It's a good looking car.
But there's something sketchy (not to mention sad) about capitalizing on the
name of others to promote a new make. I think it cheapens the original(s).
The car should be able to stand on its own merit.
Other than legal documents signing the name over from Margot, Kate, and
Celia, where is the Healey connection? (Please tell me the new investors
found a futuristic space-frame design in one of Donal's old steamer
trunks. )
(And, yes, I have issues with new Minis showing up at Brit events.)
But, it is a good looking car.
Just my opinion.
JR
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