∙Incredibly rare Woodley Engineering replica 

∙Dimensionally perfect fibreglass body

∙Tubular chassis with Datsun straight-six engine

∙One of only forty to be built 

Replicas, lookalikes, homages or evocations. Whatever you want to call them, there is no denying that they have a deserved place within the motoring world. If done right, as is the case with this ‘Healey’, they can be a more affordable way into the driving seat of a dream car. Furthermore, they can often be more reliable and even faster thanks to more modern underpinnings. Again, that’s the case here. 

Replicas come from a good place. They say, after all, that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Some can raise eyebrows, but some are absolutely spot on. This one, for example, is dimensionally perfect. It’s not a car with all the design flourishes of a Healey wrapped around an unsuitable shape. This looks the part. And thanks to Japanese mechanicals, it goes well too. And the best bit? It’s fibreglass, so you need never worry about rust.

Built in 1994 by Woodley Engineering of South Africa, this is believed to be one of just forty created at that time. It’s a fibreglass body, which we believe has been made via moulds taken from the original car. This is all draped over a bespoke Woodley Engineering chassis, which has been fitted with a Ford rear axle, a five-speed manual transmission and a Nissan straight-six L28 2.8 litre petrol engine. 

The car lived in South Africa until 2017, when it was shipped here to the UK. Since then, the car has been in dry storage. All the paperwork regarding the car’s importation has been completed, it’s been registered on the NOVA system and the seller informs us that the car will have a fresh MOT in place. The buyer will need to register the car in the UK, but this is merely a formality as all the hard work has been done. 

The paperwork includes an MOT certificate, and all the supporting documentation to show the car has been correctly imported into the UK from South Africa. There are also some documents relating to registration, as well as previous descriptions of the car from adverts and the like.

Simple, clean and functional. There are two black low-back bucket seats, a wonderfully tactile wood-rim MOMO steering wheel, a wooden gear knob and lashings of good quality black carpet. In fact, it’s all of a good quality. It feels proper, and not at all like a replica. You sit low, the doors come up your sides and seemingly envelop you within the small cabin. It feels sporty and intimate, as a Healey should in fact. 

The doors themselves are free from anything so common as handles. Instead, they are opened from the inside via a pull cable affixed to the mechanism. On that basis, it’s safe to say this is a top down, fair weather car. We’re informed the car does come with some light weather gear though, should the elements change. 

For when the car is parked up, there is a good quality tonneau that covers the entire cockpit. This is affixed via a line of body-mounted poppers. The cover can also ‘split’ via a central zip, should you be the only occupant. 

Back to the cabin, the dash is made up of black leather and vinyl, with instrumentation care of a Jaguar - this means period correct Smiths gauges. Everything seems to function as it should. There is an ignition switch in the centre of the dash, as well as a number of toggle switches for the lights and such. It’s all been built to a very high standard.

As you can see, this Healey presents very well indeed. It’s an unfussy affair, with no bumpers fitted. It gives it a sleek, racy look. The colours - ice blue over old English white - suit the car down to the ground, and help to maintain the period look. The paint is in excellent condition all across the car, with no major marks or defects of note. Of course, this car has done 19,000 miles, so there is some evidence of use. 

The body itself is fibreglass, so there is no rust to worry about. Furthermore, it’s dimensionally perfect when compared to the car it so faithfully replicates. To the untrained eye, this is very much the real deal. Even down to the badges, lights and the all important front grille. 

The wheels are painted steel items with custom made plates fitted. These plates hold a ‘knock off’ look fixture, further adding to the visual authenticity. The glass screen is in excellent order, as is the aluminium frame that houses it. The bonnet is strapped with leather, and this is all in good condition, too. It’s quite simply a very, very pretty car.

Powered by a 2.8 straight-six Nissan engine, believed to be from a Z car, this Healey sounds every bit the part. Fed by a single carb, the engine barks into life with a pleasing eagerness and revs cleanly. There are no grumbles, groans or rattle to be concerned by. The custom exhaust sounds glorious, too. A racy note that will no doubt become somewhat addictive! 

We weren’t able to drive the car on the roads due to it not having the correct plates with it. However, we’re assured by the vendor that the car is in rude health and there are no issues to be aware of. The five speed transmission is slick. We were able to cycle through the gears to check the function, and all was well. The clutch feels healthy too. The car has disc brakes up front and we’re told by the vendor there is no juddering. 

It’s had very little use over its life, having covered just 19,000 miles as the car it is. As such, it is in excellent health. And one might argue that thanks to the chosen underpinnings, this is perhaps more reliable and maybe even more fun to drive than an original Healey. But of course, that’s for you to decide.

Replicas aren’t for everyone, and we know that. However, this car is a true replica. Not a hasty facsimile of a great car. It’s been designed and built with one eye squarely on the original Healey. It’s a replica that flatters. You get the aesthetic of a British classic, but with little in the way of the obligation that comes with one. This is a reliable machine, the body won’t rust away and thanks to it being easier on the wallet than an original, one might argue that you’ll have more fun driving it because it’s not as intimidating. 

This is a car to celebrate, one that you can drive and that will make you smile as you do so. It’s a bit of fun; a car for sunny weekend blasts. It’s ready to go, to be enjoyed and to take you wherever you point it. And who knows, it could well be your stepping stone to getting a real one. 

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