Austin Austin-Healey 100 / 3000 History

Austin-Healey was formed in 1952 as a joint venture between BMC's Austin division and the Donald Healey Motor Company. The first car, the four-cylinder Austin-Healey 100 (1953–1956), was a clean, fast and relatively affordable open two-seater that became a transatlantic hit.

The six-cylinder 100-6 (1956–1959) and then the larger-engined 3000 (1959–1967) grew into the definitive 'big Healey': a torquey, charismatic sports car that was also a formidable rally weapon. The final Mark III 3000 gained wind-up windows and a convertible top before the Austin-Healey partnership wound down.