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Club History
The Austin-Healey Club USA is a direct descendant of the original Austin-Healey Club, formed in the UK 1961 and sponsored by the British Motor Corporation. From 1961 to 1968, BMC published Safety Fast magazine as the official publication of the club.
The Original Club Folds
1968
In 1968, the British Motor Corporation withdrew their support of the club, ceased publication of Safety Fast, and turned over all club materials to Brian "Bic" Healey, one of Donald Healey's sons. Bic then became General Secretary of the Austin-Healey Club.
San Jose Austin-Healey Club
1970
In the months following, and with Bic Healey's assistance, a group of enthusiasts in California formed a club and held their inaugural meeting in January 1970. The club was initially named the "San Jose Austin-Healey Club."
Word of the club's existence soon spread, and by the end of the club's first year it had opened membership to enthusiasts across the continent, thus becoming the first national club for Austin-Healeys in the USA. The club name was changed to "Austin-Healey Club, Pacific Centre" to follow the British pattern for naming club chapters and to reflect the club's west coast origin.
Healey Highlights
1970 -1986
The club's publication, known from 1970 to 1986 as Healey Highlights, transitioned from a newsletter to a leading source of information and assistance for Austin-Healey owners.
In 1987, the name of the publication was changed to Austin-Healey Magazine to better reflect the content it offered. In 1997, the name of the club was also changed to Austin-Healey Club USA to better reflect the club's continent-wide scope.
Our Club Crest
Historic Significance
Since our club was established as a descendant of the original factory-sponsored Austin-Healey Club, we have used the original club crest throughout our history. On top of being perhaps one of the most beautifully designed club insignias, it is also full of symbolism.
The wings atop the crest are a representation of the winged badge attached to the front of all big Healeys. Under the wings is a representation of the castle in Warwick where the Donald Healey Motor Company was located. The bridge symbolizes the town of Longbridge, where the British Motor Corporation first produced Austin-Healeys, and the bold design of the Union Jack is a cherished and evocative symbol of the marque's origin.
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