Healey Silverstone History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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Announced in 1949 and named after the Silverstone circuit where it had its second competitive outing, the Healey Silverstone was the most sporting of all the company's Riley-engined models. It rode a shorter, stiffer chassis than the Westland and Elliott, and the aerodynamic body was stripped to essentials: the headlights retracted behind the grille, the spare wheel was mounted in the nose, and the minimal windscreen folded flat for competition.
Powered by the twin-cam Riley 2.4-litre making approximately 104 hp, the Silverstone was capable of around 107 mph and was raced successfully in period. Donald Healey and Ian Appleyard drove a Silverstone to a class win and second overall at the 1949 Coupe des Alpes on its competition debut.
Two chassis variants were produced: the original 1949 D-Type with bucket seats and a narrower body, and the 1950 E-Type with a wider body, bench seat, bonnet scoop, and larger windscreen. Total production was 105 cars (51 D-Type, 54 E-Type), making the Silverstone the most numerous of the Riley-era Healeys and today the most collectable.
Generations
D-Type
The original narrow-body Silverstone with bucket seats and retracting headlights; 51 built.
1949 Photo: “File:1949 Healey Silverstone D-type, front right (Greenwich 2019).jpg” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1950 Photo: “File:1950 Healey Silverstone D-Type (35224241346).jpg” by Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
E-Type
Revised wider body with bench seat, bonnet scoop, and larger windscreen; 54 built.
Body styles
- Open two-seater
Related models
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