Since the acquisition by HFI Automotive of Healey Automobile Consultants Ltd (HAC), owners of the Healey brand, there has been an enormous amount of interest on the re-emergence of the renowned Healey name on a range of new British sports cars. HFI “now has the sole legal right to produce and sell Healey cars in all major markets”.
Plans are well advanced for a high performance sportscar with the DNA of a Healey 3000 – in convertible and coupe derivatives, as well as a modern affordable replacement for the much-loved Healey Sprite.
Further down the line, the range will include several other niche-market performance vehicles.
The production locations and key manufacturing partners will be the subject of a further announcement.
Released today are an intriguing part-image of one of the running prototypes and an early artist’s impression of a Healey coupe.
Because they have already had numerous requests to buy new Healeys, HFI is introducing an innovative way in which to join an orderly queue. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Donald Healey’s Bonneville land speed record of 203 mph, HFI will be offering the opportunity to reserve your chosen chassis number/manufacturing slot from the first 203 vehicles of the initial production run. Doing so will cost 1000 pounds, a sum which will be held in escrow and later deducted from the final purchase price.
Healey was originally set up by Donald Healey in 1946 with the introduction of the Healey Westland, then the world’s fastest saloon. Donald’s son, Geoffrey joined the firm soon afterwards, and the company was involved in the manufacture of stylish, world-beating cars right up until the Jensen Healey went out of production in 1975.
All these vehicles were designed and engineered by Healey Automobile Consultants (HAC) with the manufacture sometimes being undertaken by a third party, as in the case of the Austin Healey range.
Since 1976 HAC has granted various licences for Healey parts manufacture and limited production runs of vehicles, as well as providing engineering consultancy services to the motor industry. Most recently licences have been granted for a new Healey museum soon to open in Virginia USA and for a range of high quality and luxury Healey branded merchandise.
Cecilia Healey, a director of HAC, said: “Healey Automobile Consultants has kept a great name alive and continuously defended it against all those who sought to make un-authorized use of it for 60 years, I am delighted that it in now in safe hands”
Tim Fenna Managing director of HFI added: “With so much interest in and speculation about the brand and our future plans, we thought we would release an artist’s impression of the coupe derivative and also announce our innovative plans for the pre order sales. We are really pleased with developments so far, and look forward to releasing more details soon”
(source: Healy)
