Description
The Donald Healey Motor company completed its first car in 1945 and went into full production the following year. The company's first offering was a 2,4-litre Riley-powered sports sedan with a welded chassis and Healey's own independent wishbone front suspension. For the clubman racer there was the dual-purpose Silverstone, a model that is as at home on the road as it is on the track. The sedan's engine and basic underpinnings were retained, but with a shorter frame, stiffer suspension and, unusually for the time, a front stabilizer bar. The lightweight body for two people was made of aluminum and the purposeful appearance of the car was enhanced by the closely spaced headlights behind the radiator grille. Another unusual feature was the spare wheel that protruded from the compartment in the rear, thus doubling as a bumper! The Silverstone quickly made a name for itself in rally and circuit racing, with many future stars gaining their first track experience in the car. A total of 104 Silverstones were built between 1949 and 1951. When the car was announced in July 1949, it was described as a “light two-seater of competition type to be sold at the base price of £975, improved performance for competition work, but remains fully suitable for normal road use”.
Brought new to the US by Briggs-Cunningham from the UK in 1949 and raced at West Palm Beech in January 1950 where it placed second. At the Watkins Glen Grand Prix on September 23, 1950, he finished second again and a week later his co-driver, Phil Walters, won the Seneca Cup. At Sebring in December 1950 in the 6-hour race, Phil Walters and co-driver Bill Frick finished third overall. Raced in 1951 and 1952 on West Palm Beach with a Cadillac engine, driven by Phil Walters. An Oldsmobile engine was brought in in 1953 and raced at the 1953 Watkins Glen Grand Prix driven by George Weaver, it did not finish, also raced at Sebring. The car was purchased by Nat Johnson in 1988 and completely stripped and returned to the configuration as it was raced in the 6 1950 Hour Grand Prix race. A 1949 Cadillac engine was installed along with all other near-new components. a glossy blue chassis mounted. The bodywork was restored to Sebring racing configuration.
Well-known owners over time:
Briggs-Cunningham USA 1949
Phil Walters 1951
George Weaver 1953
Ray Gaul Jnr 1962
Mr Rivenburg 1979
David Sherman 1979 – 1987
Nat Johnson 1988 – 2004
Allan Casavant USA 2004-2008
Events
1950 West Palm Beach; 2nd overall driver Briggs-Cunningham
1950 Watkins Glen; 2nd overall
1950 Sebring 6 Hour Race; 3rd overall driver Phill Walters and Bill Frick.
1951 West Palm Beach driver Phil Walters
1952 West Palm Beach
1953 Watkins Glen Grand Prix driver George Weaver DNF
1962 Glen Classic with Watkins Glen driver Ray Gaul
1990 Monterey historic racing driver Nate Johnson.
1990 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
1990 CSRG event at Sears Point.
1991 Wine Country Classic, 7th in class
