In 1952, the British Motor Corporation, which manufactured the Austin - a quaint sedan popular on both sides of the Atlantic - held a competition to design a new sports car using Austin components. The race car builder Donald Healey won the competition and, even before it was put into production, the vehicle was named the Austin-Healey. Production actually started in 1953, and the renowned British sports car quickly became a popular seller in Britain and America - no doubt due to its attractive price of just 1,223 pounds (sterling) or $2,985 U.S. "It's fast! It's dependable! It's record-breaking!' announced Austin-Healey advertising brochures and, indeed, Donald Healey himself had driven the Austin-Healey on a record-breaking 142.636 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Enhancing its appeal was the fact that, despite its racy good looks and record-breaking power, the Austin-Healey handled quite easily, making it attractive to sports car enthusiasts and ordinary drivers alike. Standard equipment with every Austin-Healey were overdrive, twin carburetors, heater, defroster and knock-on-wheel wires. But an even more dependable standard was the immeasurable amount of driving pleasure that this vehicle offered. Now, a 1956 Austin-Healey is re-created in a precision-engineered replica crafted in the 1:43 collector scale.

Engine: In-line, overhead valve, four cylinder 162.2 cubic inch (2660 cc)
Horsepower: 110 bhp @ 4,500 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual with overdrive available
Top Speed: 111 mph
Weight: 2,200 pounds
Original Price: $2,985
Current Value: $26,000 (excellent condition)

(1997)

Scale: 1:43