Austin Healey

Donald Mitchell Healey, a former mechanic with a passion for the race track worked for Triumph and Humber at times. Healy, with three other engineers designed and built the Nash-Healey. He then came up with the “Healey 100-4” for BMC, followed by the “Mk 1 Sprite” (Bug Eyed Sprite). Then the “Mk II Sprite” which was the same car as the “Mk I Midget”. The “Mk II” body stayed the same through the “Mk III” and “Mk IV” with only minor changes in the body and size changes in the engines.

Healey also progressed the “100-4” to the “100-6” and on to the “3000 Mk I”, “Mk II” and “Mk III” and a “S” version with three carbs. The Austin Healey ended in 1967.

MG

Everyone was told that “MG” stood for “Morris Garage” but now it is said that is not true. It is however still an “MG”. “MG” had a good foot hold in England long before they started in the US . In the late 40s the “TC MG” which was a narrow high wire wheeled sports car that only made it into the US by a few private individuals. The next model however, the “TD” was brought in to the US in high numbers. The “TF” was form 1954 to 1955. Each model was a lower profile but still maintained the separate body and fenders with an exposed radiator. The next model was the “MGA” with a streamlined body. This continued with minor body changes and an up sized engine. The Mk I and Mk II which ended in 1962. The “MGB” started in 1963 and continued on to 1980. A “Twin Cam ” version of the “MGA” and a coupe “MGA” were variants of the “A”. The “B” had a hard top version called a “GT” and another variant was the “MGC” which had a 6 cylinder engine and torsion bar front suspension. The “MGC” also had an optional “automatic trans.” And a “GT” version. The “MGC” was produced in the life span of the “MGB” but the company folded in 1980. The company name changed from “MG” to “BMC” and to “BLM” when it folded.

MG- continued

Competition from Japanese cars and bad marketing decisions by BLM put “MG” and “Triumph” out of business. “Jaguar” and “Rover” broke away from “BLM” and survived further as separate companies. “Rover” reactivated “MG” marquee with an updated  V8 version of the “MGB”. The trunk lid was the only “B” part that was carried over. This car and a couple of subsequent models were not imported to the US . A mid engine 4 cylinder engine MG was produced also with no US deliveries.

In the life span of the “MG” marquee there were a few sedans produced. The “MG Magnett”, “MG 1100” and the “MG Metro” and the “Marina”. The “Mini Moke” “Mini” and the “Mini Copper” were also sold in the US as “MGs”

Rover

John K. Starly and William Sutton built a front wheel drive tricycle in their workshop in 1884 and they named it “Rover”. The first “Rover” motor car was produced in 1904. The first “Land Rover” appeared in 1948. Rover bought the rights to the “GM 215” V-8 engine and used it in their “Rover 3500” sedan and while they were in BLM used it in the “Triumph TR-8” and the MGB V-8. They also used it in their Rover SUVs and continued to up size the engine.

Lagonda

Lagonda was originally an American marquee. Founded in 1898 by William Gunn, a former opera singer who first tried at motorcycle manufacturing. The marquee went British after WW I, passing through several different hands. W.O. Bentley who left Rolls Royce 4 years after their takeover of the Bentley Co., came to the rescue of Lagonda with A. Good and R. Watney. By 1947 Lagonda had to be rescued again. This time by David Brown (D. B. Aston-Martin)