Description
1961 Austin Healey ‘Works’ Rally Car UJB 143
UJB 143 was one of the rare breed of Works prepared Team Cars for the 1961 International Rally season. UJB has a fascinating history apart from its Works Rally career. Peter Riley was the test driver for BMC and it was his job to test drive the three cars for the 1960 Sebring 12hrs Race. The car was painted Green, on S. U. Carbs. and fitted with a Laycock overdrive. After Sebring UJB 141 and UJB 142 were sold in North America. UJB 143 came home for Jack Sears and Peter Riley to run at Le Mans. The green car was passed on and was bought by David Dixon who was a private owner and who rallied a mini with the Reg. no. DD 300 and who wanted his personal number on his newly purchased Austin Healey. The number UJB 143 now went on the next new car built by the Competitions Department, a new red rally car being prepared for the Swedish Midnight Sun Rally. In 1961 DD 300 (the original UJB 143) was raced at Le Mans and again in 1962. This car is well documented and still raced to this day.
Two cars were sent to Sweden in 1961, one Healey for Peter Riley and Tony Ambrose and an A40 for Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom. The number UJB 143 was allocated to a new red/ white AH 3000 rally car, as the MG Car Co. still retained the Registration Book. This car was fitted with the same engine and chassis numbers as UJB 143, so that it matched the Registration Book. At this time the original UJB 143 was in effect fitted with a new chassis/ body and was the first of all the Works Rally Healeys to be fitted with an all-aluminium body wing vents. and. This is now the car referred to as UJB 143 and explains why the engine, chassis and body numbers match those of the original UJB 143 as shown in the BMIHT Certificate. At this time, the factory allocated new engine and chassis numbers to DD 300. To close the 1961 season Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom drove a lone 3000 (UJB 143) in the Tour of Corsica. However, the event was abandoned after 12 hours because of a freak snow storm which blanketed the island. The results were announced according to the position of the cars at the time the event was stopped, Pat and Ann winning their class when placed 17th overall.
Sold on from the competitions department, the next owner was George Humble who raced it in BARC/ BRSCC races and a number of club events. Natalie Goodwin owned the car in 1964. In 1978 it was sold to Laurie Lynch who exported it to Australia where it was sold to Roger Rayson who completely renovated it and changed it into a 2+2 because he had two children. Eventually it was bought by Tony Parkinson who entered it in many events including the 1992 Targa Tasmania, 1997 Classic Adelaide, and 1998 Historic events at Mallala and Collingrove all on video.
UJB eventually found its way back to the UK. It was then purchased by the present owner in 2002 who entered it in the prestigious 2002 Revival Meeting at Goodwood and also the Jersey Festival of Motoring in 2003 and again in 2006. Maintained by JME Healeys Since 2005, the present owner has improved the car throughout keeping it as original as possible.
This car comes complete with an extensive documented history, original green logbook, heritage certificate and retains its original chassis, body & engine number plates.
This car is available for viewing at our premises.
£325, 000. 00 ono
