Porter Profiles – Austin-Healey 3000 The story of DD 300

December 11, 2017 Staff Austin Healey, Classic Cars, Highlights, Racing and Competition Comments Off on Porter Profiles – Austin-Healey 3000 The story of DD 300

Porter Press International, the publisher of some of the world’s finest motoring books including the award-winning ‘Great Cars’ series, has launched a new entry-level book format under the name of Porter Profiles. The first book in this series is Austin-Healey 300 : The Story of DD 300 by Simon Ham. This more accessible series starts by taking readers back to the swinging sixties and the adventures of one of the most successful Big Healeys of all time – a charming story of a lost era told in 96 pages featuring insightful narrative, evocative archive photos, and new studio shots, all for a cover price of just £20 (currently about $27 USD).

Porter Profiles - Austin-Healey 3000 The story of DD 300 - Interior

The Austin-Healey 3000, introduced in 1959 and manufactured until 1967, was relatively big and brutish for an English sports car. It was received affectionately in the UK but sold in far greater numbers in the United States. The car examined in this book was one of the earliest produced and, by taking to the tracks, played a part in building the model’s trans-Atlantic reputation for no-nonsense performance.

First registered as UJB 143, this car was a works entry for the 1960 Sebring 12 Hours and Le Mans 24 Hours races. Re-registered with the now-famous number plate DD 300, it was sold by the factory to the privateer Ecurie Chiltern team and raced again at Le Mans in 1961 and 1962.

Porter Profiles - Austin-Healey 3000 The story of DD 300After being badly damaged in a heavy crash during the Autosport Three Hours race at Snetterton in 1964, DD 3000 was bought for £365 and rebuilt by John Chatham of renowned Austin-Healey specialists John Chatham Cars. He continued to race the car regularly over four decades in everything from Modsports to sprints and finally historic events. The Healey’s long and successful career continues today, with race preparation for the current owners by leading marque specialists Denis Welch Motorsport, as also related in this fascinating book.

The author, Simon Ham is a consultant for RM Sotheby’s, the world’s largest auction house for investment-quality automobiles. He races historic cars internationally, including the Lister-Jaguar that his father bought in 1969 for £1250, and is Editor of the Aston Martin Owners Club’s monthly magazine. This is Simon’s first book.

Title: Austin-Healey 3000, The story of DD 300
Author: Simon Ham
Publisher: Porter Press International
Publication Date: December 11, 2017
Suggested Price: £20.00
ISBN: 978-1-907085-70-3
Pages: 96

Note: Press release courtesy of Porter Press.

Staff

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