1962 Austin Healey 3000 Mk2 ‘Replica’

What do we mean by a replica car? This would cover cars not built by Ken Rudd and his team. These may be very detailed and accurate copies, or have period parts, but they should be listed as a Ruddspeed ‘Replica’.

We recently had an email from Hans van de Kerkhof, he is the Founder and Curator of the Healey Museum in the Netherlands. He came into contact with Ken Rudd through Peter Holdsworth who at the time had the rights to the Ruddspeed name. He said that after a few meetings he invited Ken to the Motorsport Gala Awards ceremony in 2005. 
During the dinner (see photo of Ken and Hans below) the idea came up to build one of his Healeys as a Ruddspeed Healey. Peter had an original intake manifold lying around and together with other parts, a Ruddspeed Healey was built for Le Mans 2006 so that Ken could drive the parade lap in a Ruddspeed Healey during the Healey Meets Le Mans event at the Classic Le Mans in 2006. Unfortunately his life partner passed away shortly before Le Mans and it was impossible for Ken to participate.

The "Ruddspeed" Healey is on display in the Healey Museum. Hans say he can introduce many people to who Ken or what Ruddspeed was. 

All photographs below are copyright of the Healey Museum.

Info about the car.
Austin Healey 3000 MK2:
- Chassis # H-BT7-L/18211
- Engine # 29E-RU-H/4365
- Body # 18051
- Date of built 15 February. 1962
- Destination Seattle, USA
- Gearbox # 2175
- Rear Axle # 16664
- Color Black over Colorado red
- Black interior with red piping
- Car bought by Hans van de Kerkhof from Tom Monaco in 2004
- Car has been registered in the UK between 2005 and 2013 under reg.# 805UXW
- Registration since 2013 in the Netherlands  AR-60-59 

Modifications:
- Original Ruddspeed inlet manifold
- Fast road camshaft
- Ruddspeed rocker cover
- Oil temp. Gauge with sender on oil filter housing
- Overdrive switch on gear knob 
- Limited slip differential
- Aluminium Drums in the back
- Special competition seats with head rests including a Ruddspeed logo (made and installed by Peter Holdsworth
- Denis Welch side exhaust  

Car is on display  in the Healey Museum  but the car is still driven regularly and has been to Le Mans Classic several times.

Click on the images below to view at a larger size.