The Sixth Austin Healey (build No AHR60) was the second racing car to be built at Warwick. The car had a strengthened but lighter chassis with a special engine No IB 13676 supplied and built by Austin’s Experimental Department Longbridge. With a nitrided crankshaft, special camshaft, racing pistons and lightened flywheel. Various other modifications were carried out and for the Le Mans 24 hour race it was fitted with a cold air box and 1¾ SU carburettors, which helped the engine to produce 103bhp at 4,500rpm. A Borg and Beck competition clutch transmitted the power through to a Austin Taxi gearbox which also had a high ratio overdrive unit, which reduced the engine revs by a third, then finally to a high ratio axle.
It was registered in Birmingham on the 22nd April 1953 and given the number NOJ 392. The chassis number was SPL225B and body No JM 4079-6.
Donald Healey thought that British racing green was unlucky, so it was painted a metallic light green, with dark green leather for the seats. Then entered in the 1953 Mille Miglia with racing number 552, driven by Bert Hadley and Bertie Mercer. Sadly on the stage between Brescia and Ravenna they had to retire with a broken throttle linkage.
Nancy the Austin Healey 