Austin-Healey Enthusiasts Come to Sevierville for Car Show

The Austin-Healey Club of America, driving their British built Austin-Healey cars, arrive in Sevierville on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 at the Sevierville Convention Center, Stone Hill Lodge and the Wilderness Waterpark Resort for the Southeastern Classic XXIX event and car show.

The Healey’s may be seen on Friday, Sept. 25 as they travel on the Foothills Parkway to “The Tail of the Dragon” enroute to the Historic Tapoco Lodge on US 129, just beyond Deals Gap.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Austin-Healey owners and enthusiasts will gather in front of Staples on Winfield Dunn Parkway, providing a car show viewing opportunity from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. On display will be the original Healey 100, Bug-eye Sprites, Austin-Healey 100-6, Austin-Healey Mark 3000’s, Square Body Sprites, Jensen-Healey’s, as well as other British cars.

Gerry Coker, the designer of the Healey 100 and the Austin-Healey Sprite (affectionately referred to as the Bug-Eye Sprite) will be in attendance, along with Chuck Anderson, a founder of the Austin-Healey Club of America. Mr. Coker was the auto designer for the Donald Healey Motor Company in Warwick, England and completed his career with Chrysler and Ford Motor Companies in America.

The Austin-Healey was introduced as the Healey 100 in 1952 at the Earls Court Motor Show in England, ultimately merging with the Austin Motor Company and becoming the Austin-Healey from its introduction until production ceased in 1968 because of new federal emission control requirements and numerous body specifications introduced in 1968 that basically would destroy the Healey as we know it today. The early Austin-Healey’s were four cylinder open sports cars that provided good value for money spent in terms of both pleasure and performance. The cars were seen not only on America’s highways, but also at racing venues such as 12 Hours of Sebring, LeMans 24 Hours, Sports Car Club of America Racing, and also club racing throughout America.

Austin-Healey cars were not just racecars, they were also enjoyed for their performance as either an everyday driver or a casual fun driving experience. The Austin-Healey Clubs of America are a reflection of the enthusiasm that is shown for these beautiful automobiles that appear frequently in ratings and polls as one of the most beautiful and popular cars. The club gatherings uncover and bring forth these stunning cars that are driven, shown, and enjoyed as much today as when they were new.

The Smoky Mountain Club of the Austin-Healey Club of America cordially invites you to see the cars on Saturday, Sept. 26 at either the car show at Staples, or racing at the Sevierville Convention Event Center.