|
Books Reviews
The Complete Official Austin Healey
by Robert Bentley
1977, Robert Bentley, Cambridge, MA
Softbound, about $40
ISBN 0-8376-0133-9
This isn't really for reading, unless you're a complete gearhead, but it's
well worth the cost. A reprint of the factory service manual, it is very
comprehensive. Really a must for the tinkerer.
The Works Big Healeys
by Peter Browning
1995, Haynes Publishing, Sarkford, Somerset
Hardbound, about $40
ISBN 0 85429 966 1
Simply the best book I have encountered on the Works cars. Peter Browning
was involved with the works as the last Competitions Manager, and his
recollections and research are combined with quotes from the drivers and
navigators who made Austin Healey a household name.
In addition to the well written text, the volume is profusely illustrated
with period action shots and of the people who drove and prepared these
glorious machines. Appendices list histories of individual cars and their
subsequent fates, where known. A must-have for Healey motorsport fans.
Austin Healey 100&100/6 Gold Portfolio
Austin Healey 3000 Gold Portfolio
complied by R.M. Clarke
Brooklands Books, Cobham, Surrey
Softbound, about $15
ISBN 1 85520 0481 (100)
ISBN 1 85520 049X (3000)
These slim volumes contain reprints of contemporary road tests, from
magazines such as The Motor, Road and Track, Sports Car Illustrated, The
Autocar, etc. This is a tremendous resource; if I have any complaints it
would be about the quality--in some cases it's good, and in others the
reprints appear to be photocopied.
Original Austin Healey
by Anders Ditlev Clausager
1990, Bay View Books, Bideford, England
Hardbound, about $40
ISBN 1 870979 13 3
The book on Austin Healey originality and production changes. Anders is the
archivist for the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, and he has the
factory production records for most of the big Healeys at his fingertips.
Illustrated entirely with color photos shot specifically for it, the book
shows many of the details that are invaluable for the restorer. Combine that
with the color charts and production tables, and you really can't live
without it. My copy is nearly worn out...I'm going to have to get a new one
soon!
That said, many Healey experts will point out that some of the cars pictured
are less than accurate. I point out that such cases are clearly refered to
in the text, and often times originality is subject to debate anyway. What
can you say to an original owner who claims not to have changed a thing over
the years, but who has a car which doesn't fit the standard model?
Healey: The Handsome Brute
by Chris Harvey
1978, Haynes Publishing, Sarkford, Somerset
Hardbound, about $40
ISBN 0 902280 55 4
This book is a little bit of a conundrum to me, as it is very well
illustrated (except for the color plates, which are dodgy), but the writing
leaves me cold. To my ear, it ends up sounding like a "boy's own" adventure.
Accessible is one thing but I kept expecting to see "gee whiz!" every other
paragraph or so.
That said, there are some good quotes from the people in the know, and some
decent information is lurking in this book. I just wish the author's
enthusiasm hadn't got in the way of passing it along.
Essential Austin Healey
by Mike Lawrence
1994, Bay View Books, Bideford, England
Softbound, about $12
ISBN 1 870979 49 4
I like this book a lot, despite some of the gaffs poked at it in the press
as a "lite" version of Original Austin Healey, another Bay View title.
Here's why I like it: 1) Mike Lawrence knows what he's talking about when it
comes to Healeys; 2) it's remarkable value, considering the quality of the
illustrations; and 3) the illustrations, though some are borrowed from
Original Austin Healey, are first rate (the cover car is one of the nicest
Healeys I've seen in any of the books reviewed here).
If I was going to recommend just one book for the casual Healey afficianado
to pick up, this would be it. I mean, c'mon, $12? It costs more than that to
park in downtown Seattle for a day!
Austin Healey 100 & 3000
by David McLavin & Andrew Tipping
1992, Osprey Publishing, London
Hardbound, about $15
ISBN 9 185532 231 5
This is one of the "cheap and glossy" books which pop up from time to time
to capitalize on the interest in a certain marque.
If nothing else, this book is remarkable for the indifferent Austin Healeys
which are pictured, including several pages dedicated to the rusted-out
remains of the BN3 and a 100 with astonishingly bad panel fit. The text is
OK (if a bit light), with only a few minor errors, but you have to be amused
by some of the captions, one of which says "the owner states 'that
originality is everything.'" Not a bad position to take, but it would help
if his car didn't have non-original upholstery, steering wheel, and o/d
switch visible!
Now I'm a bit of an originality fan, so I see no need in Healey books to
spend pages talking about glassfibre replicas, but if that's your kettle of
fish there's something for you here. In all, nothing new, and lots of folks
have done it better.
Illustrated Austin Healey Buyer's Guide
by Richard Newton
1984, Motorbooks International, Osceola, WI
Softbound, about $20
ISBN 0-87938-104-3
I'm sure we've all seen this volume; it is almost invariably the first book
purchased by the prospective Healey owner. My copy is from 1984, and quite
frankly I've never looked at a later edition to determine whether it is
updated frequently or not. I'm a bit wary of the star investment ratings
hanging next to each model, as in my book all of the big Healeys are
desirable, and if you're actually "investing" in cars of any sort you really
should give me your money, as it makes about as much sense.
On the plus side, the text is fairly accurate and written in a friendly
fashion, and there's some practical tips on what to look for in a Healey
(the book covers Sprites and Jensen Healeys, too). It also gives a bit of
insight into what owning an old British sportscar was about before the boom
and bust of the late eighties warped all of our perceptions.
The Big Healeys: A Collector's Guide
by Graham Robson
1981, Motor Racing Publications, Croydon, England
Hardbound, about $25
ISBN 0 900549 55 6
This is another of the "we've all seen 'em" Healey books, but it is a good
one. Graham Robson has my respect as a serious student of Austin Healeys,
and this guide certainly reflects his knowledge.
If you're in Podunk and haven't seen the collector series of books, they're
all hardbound, long, and thin--about half the height of a regular hardbound
book. There are no color plates, but plenty of good information and black
and white illustrations abound. In all, recommended.
Austin Healey 100 & 3000 Series
by Graham Robson
1994, Crowood Press, Ramsbury, England
Hardbound, about $40
ISBN 1 85223 787 2
Another Graham Robson book, but one which perhaps better exploits his
expertise and meticulous research. This is a very well written book, and,
contrary to the norm for this field, actually has decent color plates in
addition to the usual good black and white illustrations. There are many
interesting sidebars about things of interest to the student of Healey
history, but which aren't directly related, a welcome relief to those of us
who have read the same story sixty five times!
If I had a compalint, it would be over the print quality, which isn't really
up to snuff. Nothing unforgiveable, but a few more pence for decent paper
and better screens on the photos would have made the book an all-time
classic. Highly recommended.
Austin Healey 100 Super Profile
by John Wheatley
1986, Haynes and Foulis books
review contributed by Roland Wilhelmy
ISBN 0 85429 487 2
It is the only book I have found that deals exclusively with the 4-cylinder
big Healeys. It is a combination of some contemporary magazine road tests,
data from Anders Clausager and the Longbridge Job Cards, interviews with
owners (including Roger Moment), and photos - both color and b/w. What more
could you want for $12 - $14? It may be out of print, but I just bought a
copy new from EWA & Min. Cars USA.
Published in 1986, the blurb says that John Wheatley had been the '100'
Register Secretary for the Austin Healey Club in GB since 1977. Bought his
'100' new in July 1954.
Austin Healey 1953-72
by Walter Zeichner
1986, Schiffer Publishing, West Chester, PA
Hardbound, about $25
ISBN 0-88740-212-7
This book is largely a collection of period Austin Healey brochures and
advertisements, many of which are in color. Though I don't think it is a
comprehensive collection of marketing materials, it is representative. The
captions and text are translated from German and hence are a bit stilted,
but they're not really why you're here.
www.transcanadahwy.com
|
