Background
BMC’s development of the Big Healey for rallying had started in 1958 with the 2.6-litre 100/6 model that debuted in that year’s Monte Carlo Rally driven by Tommy Wisdom. By the time the new 2.9-litre 3000 model took over mid-way through 1959, the 100/6 had demonstrated considerable promise, achieving a number of leader-board finishes, the best of which was Jack Sears’ class win in the 1959 Tulip Rally.
The Big Healey’s first major success was gained in 1960 when Pat Moss, partnered by co-driver Ann Wisdom, having finished second in the Alpine, then made history by winning the gruelling Liège-Rome-Liège (Marathon de la Route) event outright. It was the first occasion that a woman had won a major international rally. The following year the Morley twins – Don and Eric – won the Alpine Rally outright, a feat they repeated in 1962. The car’s final outright victories came in 1964 when Paddy Hopkirk won the Austrian Alpine Rally and Rauno Aaltonen the last Marathon de la Route held on public roads, which on this occasion followed a Spa-Sofia-Liège route.
This Car
This car was built in October 1961 and exported to Philadelphia. The car returned to the UK as a restoration project in 1994 when it was purchased by Graham Goodall, who intended to create as faithful a replica as possible of the “ARX” works rally cars of 1962. For reliability, however, it was fitted with triple 2” SU’s as per the 1960/1 cars rather than triple Webber’s.
After the car was completed, it was registered as JSL579 and competed in the 2000 Liege Rome Liege rally and Tour Des Alpes in 2001. The next owner changed the registration number to UJB147 in 2006 to more closely match the numbers used by the works cars.
The car has been both raced and rallied running in historic events including the 2010 Coupes Des Alpes ,2015 Italian Classic Marathon and Three Castles rally (2021, 2023).
Technical Specification
Engine: 2912cc, 6 cylinders
Induction system: Triple semi down draft SU HD8 carburettors
Transmission: Straight cut Tulip ratio set, up-rated overdrive.
Works rear disc brake conversion.
Power Output: 175 Bhp