The Austin-Healey Club will arrive in Sevierville this weekend. Image courtesy of events.picturesofus.net |
SEVIERVILLE, TN — Several properties in Sevierville are expecting the British to invade this week. On Thursday, September 24 the Austin-Healey Club of America will be driving their British built Austin-Healey's arrive into Sevierville at the Sevierville Convention Center, the Stone Hill Lodge, and the Wilderness Waterpark Resort. On Friday, September 25, the Healey's will travel on the Foothills Parkway to "The Tail of the Dragon" enroute to the Historic Tapoco Lodge on US 129, just beyond Deals Gap.
The Austin-Healey's will gather in front of Staples on the Winfield Dunn Parkway on Saturday, September 26, providing a Car Show viewing opportunity from 9am until 1pm. The original Healey 100, Bug-eye Sprites, Austin-Healey 100-6, Austin-Healey Mark 3000's, Square Body Sprites, Jensen-Healey's, and other British cars will be on display between the Diner Restaurant and the Pizza Hut on Highway 66.
Gerry Coker, the designer of the Healey 100 and the Austin-Healey Sprite (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, thus becoming the Austin-Healey from its introduction until production ceased in 1968, because of new federal emission control requirements and numerous body specifications being 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 race cars, but 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 this coming Saturday, September 26th at either the Show at Staples or see them racing on Saturday afternoon at the Sevierville Convention Event Center.
