MAJOR CATEGORIES
CLASSIC CARS
Click here to list ALL Makes |
Lake District, Roman Wall & Borders For Hire (1968) | | |
| The Healey 100 (100 HP and 100 mph) as it was first known, was unveiled at the 1952 London Motor Show by Donald Healey who had competed in many rallies including the Monte Carlo Rally which he won in 1931. It used many Austin parts and was so admired by Leonard Lord of Austin that he proposed a deal to Donald Healey whereby Austin took over manufacture paying DH a royalty. The logic was that whereas Healey could produce 20 cars a week at best, Austin could produce 200.
In its first 4 cylinder form it was underpowered and a 6 cylinder (AH3000) was eventually announced. The Mk1 was still a bit primitive but in later years the 3000 gradually metamorphosed from sports car to grand tourer as wind-up windows, a ‘proper’ convertible hood, greater ground clearance and even a wooden dash were introduced.
Does the 3000 deserve its reputation? It is a beautiful car and one that can be driven on modern roads at modern speeds, not bad for a 50-year-old car; think how impressive it must have been in 1959.
Stunningly beautiful, FLG is a perfect as the centre piece for advertising. It has recently been used by the BBC, driven by Ian Lavender and by Amanda Barrie and Sherrie Hewson on 'This Morning'in the feature 'A Right Old Carry On!
http://www.itv.com/thismorning/showbiz/its-a-right-old-carry-on-amanda-and-sherrie/
FLG 366F (with 4 speed gearbox and overdrive)is one of the last Healey 3000s made as production officially ceased in 1967 and FLG was first registered in 1968. It is complete with more modern cooling to give it a greater margin of cool-running in hot weather. This can be a problem with the Big Healey which did not have to contend 40 years ago with the lengthy stops of modern traffic jams. If you look at pictures of AH 100s or 3000s, you can see the efforts some owners need to go to enhance the cooling. Thankfully the later cars run cooler then the earlier ones anyway.
FLG, a 2+2 (very small +2!) is easy to drive as it has Servo brakes and modern tyres but it needs to be 'driven' and is not a relaxed cruiser like the AM DB7 soft-top or a 'light-weight' like the beautiful 1954 MG TF, both of which are available from North lakes Classics . However, be prepared to be surrounded by many admirers whenever you stop as the car is so visually stunning. FLG has been considered perfect as a wedding car and as a back-drop for the wedding photographs. It has been used by both the groom to arrive at church and also for the married couple to drive to the reception.
It is the perfect car for touring the English Lake District, easy to live with and powerful enough to tackle any of the steep climbs with ease. Try the option to swoop along the quiet open roads of the Scottish Borders or follow Hadrian's Roman Wall from Carlisle to Wallsend. All are a short drive from Carlisle, where the car is based.
For further information and alternative vehicles to hire see North Lakes Classics web site (Silver Aston Martin convertible or red 1954 MG TF1500 )....
| |
| |
|
| |
|
|
