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[Spridgets] Happy Birthday, DMH

To: healeys@autox.team.net, spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: [Spridgets] Happy Birthday, DMH
From: HealeyRick <healeyrick@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2011 05:53:03 -0700 (PDT)
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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