Donald Mitchell Healey, noted British
rally driver, automobile engineer, and speed record holder, was born on
July 3, 1898 in Perranporth, North Cornwall, England. Following an
apprenticeship at Sopwith Aviation, he volunteered for the Royal Flying
Corps and earned his "wings" in 1916. After WWI, he returned home to
study motorcars and engineering. He opened a garage, where his interest
grew in rally competition. From the mid-'20s through the early '50s, Healey was
a European rally driver of great distinction, his best finish being first in
1931, in the Monte Carlo Rally.
Immediately after WWII, Healey began to
build his own cars; in 1946, his Elliot was the finest production saloon
to cover 100 miles an hour. Other cars were the Silverstone and the
Nash-Healey, which finished third overall at Le Mans in 1952.
Best-known were the Austin-Healeys, sports cars introduced in October
1952. Various models, including Sprites, were produced until a total ran
of nearly 200,000 of which most were exported to America.
In 1953 and 1954, Healey set American and
international records with his cars at the Bonneville Salt Flats; and
he recorded 203.11 in an Austin-Healey 100-6 Streamliner to join the
exclusive 200 MPH Club in 1956.
In 1972, with Healey as chairman of Jensen Motors, the Jensen-Healey was
introduced. For his "services to export," Healey was made a Commander of the
Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973.
Donald M. Healey died in Perranporth on January 15, 1988, but his automobiles
are still being raced, driven, collected, and enjoyed today.
Rick
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