Recently, I took my teenage son, Austin, and two of his friends to Whistler for a bout of late-season mountain biking. The sun was shining over BC’s largest ski resort upon our arrival on an unusually warm September day.
After delivering the teens and their complement of freeride bikes and assorted pieces of armour to the chairlift, I meandered into town for a coffee and a chance to absorb the rays – damaging as they may be.
Upon turning a corner in the bustling Bavarian-inspired village, I was beset by a sea of glistening chrome and curvaceous bodies – car bodies that is. I’ve always considered the Austin-Healey 3000 to be one of the most beautiful sports cars ever produced, and there before me sat 27 of the finest examples I had ever stood witness to.
I soon realized that I had unexpectedly encountered an Austin-Healey Show and Shine sponsored by the Austin-Healey Owners’ Association of British Columbia, and what a delight it was. These British roadsters were produced from 1959 to 1967 and were renowned for winning their class in many European rallies over the years.
The Austin-Healey 3000 was powered by an inline six-cylinder engine that generated 150 horsepower in its final production year. These vehicles are highly-prized collectables now, fetching anywhere from $40K to $60K for restored versions.
So did I name my son after this great marque that I so admire? The official answer is “no”. Unofficially? I’ll let you ponder that.
After delivering the teens and their complement of freeride bikes and assorted pieces of armour to the chairlift, I meandered into town for a coffee and a chance to absorb the rays – damaging as they may be.
Upon turning a corner in the bustling Bavarian-inspired village, I was beset by a sea of glistening chrome and curvaceous bodies – car bodies that is. I’ve always considered the Austin-Healey 3000 to be one of the most beautiful sports cars ever produced, and there before me sat 27 of the finest examples I had ever stood witness to.
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| Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com |
I soon realized that I had unexpectedly encountered an Austin-Healey Show and Shine sponsored by the Austin-Healey Owners’ Association of British Columbia, and what a delight it was. These British roadsters were produced from 1959 to 1967 and were renowned for winning their class in many European rallies over the years.
The Austin-Healey 3000 was powered by an inline six-cylinder engine that generated 150 horsepower in its final production year. These vehicles are highly-prized collectables now, fetching anywhere from $40K to $60K for restored versions.
So did I name my son after this great marque that I so admire? The official answer is “no”. Unofficially? I’ll let you ponder that.