Let's hope they can. Another string to the MGR bow....as long as they don't blow it by putting the AH badge on all sorts of different types of vehicles.

AH should be reserved for top end coupes/convertibles with perhaps 3 litre+ engines.

So even if they only use it on two premium priced vehicles, that'll be good enough.

The MG badge should then be used for vehicles smaller than this. But where does that leave the SV?

 

xpower brand?

 

Austin Healey City Rover?

 

According to today's auto express MGR are now in negotiations with the Healey family. MGR are said to be "keener" than ever to bring back the AH marque

By why? They have a sports car brand in MG and in any case, Austin Healey means nothing to most people because it's been dead for too long. Bringing it back would only add confusion.

The only way I can see it fitting in is if MGR do the following to their future model line up:-

CityRover - City car and supermini
Rover - saloons/hatches from Golf size upwards and MPV's
MG - based on Rover saloons and hatches but with sporty edge to them
AH - 2 seater sports cars and supercars

Therefore there will be on more two seater MG's and the TF and SV replacements will be badged as AH's.

 

By why? They have a sports car brand in MG and in any case, Austin Healey means nothing to most people because it's been dead for too long. Bringing it back would only add confusion.

Healey have only ever been assocoiated with out and out sports cars - and been rather more exclusive in their image than MG. The MG brand has always been been associated with saloons, too (in fact, that is where it started).

Maybe MG for sporting saloons (in the old Triumph mould) and AH for open top?

 

Maybe AH is to produce low volume specialist sports cars ala MGX80 Ltd, owned by MGR, using common MGR componentry, but outside of any SAIC joint venture. Low volume british sportscar with a global dealer network.

 

Maybe they have plans to resurrect the DR2 prototype, which was one of the original MGF prototypes, and use that to break into the US market.

 

I must admit I didn't know a lot about the Austin Healey, so I browsed the net for some info. I am amazed for the amount of sites devoted to the model, and how many clubs there are! It is interesting how the first club was created by BMC. In the American Healey club site (www.healey.org) there is an explanation of the club's crest, which mentions Longbridge. Maybe the rebirth of the Austin Healey is a good way of connecting MGR to their past in the eyes of Americans? That can only add prestige to the brands!

 

Ruddy hell! Its soft cell!

Who thought in one day we would hear so much about Rovers future plans? Its crazy!

We've got Austin Healys, News in the Detroit motorshow (well thats on the grapevine) new cars out here there and everywhere and of course Rover and SAIC!


oh and to add, Big and fantastic reason for AH - The American Market! :rocker:

 

Low volume brand

Maybe AH is to produce low volume specialist sports cars ala MGX80 Ltd, owned by MGR, using common MGR componentry, but outside of any SAIC joint venture. Low volume british sportscar with a global dealer network.

I agree: it could be a low volume car brand. Maybe "hand made" sport cars like the Dutch Spyker (http://www.spykercars.com/)

Moggie mentioned the DR2; I never heard of it and searched for information. Look here: http://www.pistonheads.com/fastcars/mg-dr2.htm

I like the design of the concept car that was revealed by BMW: see http://www.myaustinhealey.com/project_warwick.html
and
http://www.ahc-ec.fsnet.co.uk/healey_press_pieces/warwick_bmw.jpg

 

I think people forget MGR have NEVER said they are developing an MG sportscar. They have said they are developing a Sportscar PLATFORM! Personally I thing a new sportscar platform would see a replacement for the TF and a larger, retro looking Austin Healey. MG will chase down the young car buyers. AH will chase the aspiring Jaguar types who want a BRITISH Porsche Boxter. Jaguar's F type dream may have gone belly up because Jaguar can't make much profits out of a low volume sportcar. But if MG and AH share bits and bobs then the TF would become much more profitable and the AH would give MGR and SAIC a new luxury car brand. Given the cost of federalising a sportscar for re-entry into the US, then two cars sportscars are better than 1!

 

The original Austin Healeys were a derivative of the MGAs of the 1950s - so using the AH name makes some kind of sense. The problem is that the brand only means anything to classic car anoraks like me.

 

The original Austin Healeys were a derivative of the MGAs of the 1950s - so using the AH name makes some kind of sense. The problem is that the brand only means anything to classic car anoraks like me.

People are easily reminded of greatness! How many people in this country knew much about the Ford Mustang? Now you can't go far without seeing a picture of one and they don't even sell it here!! How many people remember the GT40? Now Top Gear won't stop talking about it. How many people rembered the S type? Now it'sone of Jag's most sucessfull models.

Point is, people are easily reminded. People often accept something is cool, because the media say it is!

 

Hugh,

The problem is that the brand only means anything to classic car anoraks like me.

As far as I know, the AH brand is untainted, and untarnished. Of course it may not mean anything to the younger buyer at the moment, but remember that Toyota invented Lexus to take on the likes of Merc and BMW, and Lexus meant nothing to anyone initially.

A new name on the market is not a bad thing. It just needs to be top notch, desirable, well built, and aimed at the right people. A string of good reviews, and the ability to sell it in the USA, and an Austin Healey might be just the ticket. And you can also draw on the heritage as well....something Lexus couldn't do!!

 

The original Austin Healeys were a derivative of the MGAs of the 1950s - so using the AH name makes some kind of sense. The problem is that the brand only means anything to classic car anoraks like me.

They had practically nothing to do with the MGA!

The running gear from the big Healey came from the Austin Westminster (or A90 or somesuch - big Austin saloon, anyway). The running gear for the MGA came straight out of the Morris Oxford.

 

The Austin-Healey 100 was a Healey construction, that was bought by Austin. It used Austin parts. The Austin A90 Atlantic was very unsuccessful, so Len Lord (CEO of Austin) invented a challenge to build a sportscar with the Austin A90 motor, a 2,6 litre 4 cylinder motor with 90 bhp. Healey was taking part in this challenge together with Jensen and other. The MGA prototype that used a modified MG TD frame, was ready for production in 1952, but Lord didn't like MG, so the TD only got a facelift to be the TF. MG had to wait 3 years untill the MGA could be produced!

 

Put a sunroof or a Webasto roof on a City Rover - voila! Austin Healey Sprite.

 

Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

One concern I have about introducing a new brand just for a "halo", flagship-type car is that MGR isn't well known enough especially in the American market where it's been absent for a long time, AH won't do anything to promote the MGR group itself so people not in the know won't automatically associate the new AH to MGR - ie those who aspire to a new Healey won't buy the RDX60 in the interim.

Unless of course, they're all sold in the same dealerships.

 

I think Austin Healey is an interesting idea. As part of a concerted assault of MGR sportscars it would make sense.

But where are these cars? I would say that once we see a new larger MG sportscar then Austin Healey would be more of a possibility. IMO, we won't see anything Austin Healey for a while.

 

It kinda makes me laugh the Austin Healey saga, because MG R own a trademark for it but not for whole cars, and Healey do not own the Austin part of it and so cannot sell it on to someone else as "Austin Healey" so despite all the talk of "discussions" either party really is up sh*t creek without the other anyway, so why they don't just agree something and get down to business is anyone's guess.

 

Hugh,



As far as I know, the AH brand is untainted, and untarnished. Of course it may not mean anything to the younger buyer at the moment, but remember that Toyota invented Lexus to take on the likes of Merc and BMW, and Lexus meant nothing to anyone initially.

A new name on the market is not a bad thing. It just needs to be top notch, desirable, well built, and aimed at the right people. A string of good reviews, and the ability to sell it in the USA, and an Austin Healey might be just the ticket. And you can also draw on the heritage as well....something Lexus couldn't do!!

Lexus sounds modern and hi-tech - Nissan's "Infiniti" sounds the same as does Honda's Acura brand - Austin Healey really does sound old in comparison.

Although I have to say "Austin" even though I know it's an old brand does sound quite striking if you can forget the historical aspect of it.

The Healey bit ages the name IMO

 

It kinda makes me laugh the Austin Healey saga, because MG R own a trademark for it but not for whole cars, and Healey do not own the Austin part of it and so cannot sell it on to someone else as "Austin Healey" so despite all the talk of "discussions" either party really is up sh*t creek without the other anyway, so why they don't just agree something and get down to business is anyone's guess.

Because the Healey family will want a royalty fee per car sold and will want to negotiate the best deal for themselves (ie get as much money as possible per car) whilst MGR will want to negotiate the best deal for themselves. (ie give as little as possible to the Healey family per car) These negotiations can take months or even years before both parties come to an agreement.

 

Because the Healey family will want a royalty fee per car sold and will want to negotiate the best deal for themselves (ie get as much money as possible per car) whilst MGR will want to negotiate the best deal for themselves. (ie give as little as possible to the Healey family per car) These negotiations can take months or even years before both parties come to an agreement.

Annoying though, mind you as my surname is Riley I might have to block BMW from ever using it - maybe they should ask another healey family if they can use their name. :doh:

 

Richard, actually you're sort of correct - in fact the MGA was derived from the Austin Healey (I found out following some quick reaserch on the web). Just look at the two cars side by side and you can see how much they have in common.

I'm sure I've got an article in one of my old Practical Classics mags about this (told you I was an anorak!) - if I find it I'll post a scan of it.