Nigel Bennett sent us details of his Austin Healey 'DP1769' that has had a period Ruddspeed conversion in 1962. The car is an Austin Healey 3000 MK1, 2 seater, 7/4/61, Primrose, chassis HB7-13575, Dunlop disk brakes front and rear, bespoke all aluminium light weight body, RHD UK car, chassis and engine numbers matching.

Ruddspeed conversion fitted 1962 at Wild Goose Garage, Dursley (Castle Combe track garage), at a cost of £120. Specification: 3rd 1 3/4. carburettor, Rudd inlet manifolds and exhaust manifolds, Iske fast road camshaft, gas flowed and polished head.

This car competed with and against John Chatham of Bristol, the original owner bought this car DP1769 on the same week as John Chatham bought SAL. The two cars are listed in "Mr Big Healey" (page 10) as Derek Parks and John Chatham were best friends. DP1769 was very competitive in local car events around Bristol competing against the likes of Ferraris 250LM, lightweight E Type, Aston DB4 GT and always getting a top 3 placing.

Specification 3rd 1 ¾ carburettor, Rudd inlet manifolds and exhaust manifolds, Iske fast road camshaft,gas flowed and polished head. All components have been refinished and refurbished to period specification and where appropriate with modern improvements. Every wire, pipe and connector has been replaced. Chassis has been strengthened as per BMC specification and has been computer aligned and checked. All works carried out by Cape LTD during 2012-2014.

The chassis has also been dipped at SPL and then had a full body off bare metal restoration. This included all new inner body assembled and welded and all outer body hand formed from lightweight aluminium. This aluminium body was was to the correct period detail with the ‘AC’ type wings and bonnet cavitation power bulge (development from DH Motor Co) Ruddspeed/Healey engine fully refurbished with re-bore, new piston rings, top/bottom end bearings, main journals, high pressure oil pump, lightened flywheel, fully balanced......the list goes on.

Gearbox fully rebuilt with light weight propshaft and works specification overdrive. Differential fully rebuilt with LSD from Chatham Motorsport and anti-tramp bars along with very rare BMW 14 leaf springs. Fully adjustable shock absorbers and all new bushes. Collapsible steering column (Swiss made). Bespoke interior with Restol BMC recreation adjustable seats.

This was sold on the Lux Claassics website (see link below)
https://www.luxclassics.com/vehicle-details/Used-Austin-Healey-3000-MK1-Unknown-For-Sale-U13/

Ruddspeed Serial Number: N/A

We would love to hear from anyone has more information on the car or would like to add to the history please feel free to contact us here at Ruddspeed.
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