2005 Friendship Rally - Global Rally Organisation UK.
Two more Healeys achieve a London to Sydney success!
In 1967 - the Black & white Healey 3000 was driven London to Sydney:
Richard and Trish Steil drove the "Black and White" Healey 3000 from London to Sydney in 1967. Richard & Trish left their wedding reception on April 22, 1967, and drove a meandering scenic route through Europe to India (as you would on your honeymoon), before finally loading the Healey onto the ship Vishva Kalyn, in Calcutta on July 23, 1967 after a 3 month adventure on the road in the Healey. Six weeks later, on September 6th, 1967, their black & white Austin Healey 3000 arrived in Sydney.
When Richard and I heard that two more Healey's had completed the trip from London to Sydney, we decided to go and meet them. And despite the overcast day, it was only fitting to go in the black & white Healey 3000 - the very same Healey 3000 Richard had driven to Sydney back in 1967. The black & white Healey had a little more ground clearance back in 1967....
Three Austin Healey 3000's, with their London to Sydney drivers.
(L to R) Rick and Diana Dyke-Price (3000 MK I; arrived 2005);
Richard Steil (3000 Mk IIIA; arrived 1967;)
Stuart and Jenny Woodhead (3000 Mk I; arrived 2005)
2005 M&M's Friendship Rally - 38 years later - two more Healey 3000's drive London to Sydney:
On August 14, 2005, the Global Rally Organisation participants - in a range of classic cars built between 1957 and 1971 - (2 Healey 3000's; an Aston Martin DB6; an XK 140 and an E type Jaguar; a Bentley S2; a Corvette; a 356 Porshe; and 4 Mercedes) - with 3 backup vehicles - set off to drive from London to Sydney. Their goal was to take the longest overland route - via France, Germany, Budapest, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Iran, Pakistan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, boat to Darwin - then via Ayers Rock to Adelaide, Melbourne and then the coast road, arriving in Sydney on November 16th, 2005. The 2005 Global Rally itinerary shows their complete timetable.
The two Austin Healey 3000 MkI's were driven by Rick and Diana Dyke-Price, and Stuart and Jenny Woodhead. Prior to their arrival, there were only 3 other Healey 3000's known to have been driven from London to Sydney.
The 2005 Friendship Rally route
Richard & Trish's route in 1967 was from London to Portsmouth (where they were married), then on to Calcutta (via France, Switerland, Italy, Austria, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India), then the Healey travelled by boat to Sydney. Richard's original plan was to drive all the way to Singapore (via Burma) - but they weren't allowed by the Government of the day due to safety reasons.
Austin Healey 3000's driven from London to Sydney:
Rick and Diana Dyke-Price (3000 MK I, 2005) and Stuart and Jenny Woodhead (3000 Mk I, 2005) join a relatively short list of Austin Healey 3000's which are known to have been driven overland to Australia from England. By far - their's was the longest overland route - covering some 28,000 km.
Richard and Trish Steil - in the Black & White Healey 3000 Mk IIIA BJ8 - did it in 1967. A blue Austin Healey 3000 MkIIIA BJ8 - driven by a guy who used to live on St Hubert's Island on the Central Coast (whose name I've forgotten), made the journey sometime in the 1970's. More recently, Graham Woodall, a participant in the 1993 London to Sydney 25th anniversary rally in 1993, drove an Ice blue/ white hardtop Healey 3000 MkIIA BJ8.
One aspect of Richard and Trish's journey was a bit different. As well as an adventure - there was a practical purpose to the journey. They actually moved to Australia in the Healey. Trish was an Australian who had been living in London - and Richard effectively emigrated to Australia in the Healey!
Rick Dyke-Price and Richard Steil, on November 16, 2005, just after Rick completed his London to Sydney adventure.
It was great to meet Rick, and the great bunch of people who made it to Sydney on November 16th. I can't wait to see the video footage of their amazing journey. Their whole adventure is documented with pictures and diary at The Global Rally site
The ownership and competition history of the black & white car
- Back to history overview
- The John Sprinzel Healey 3000 Connection
- The Ian Morgan era 1968 - 1973
- The Wally Gates eras 1973 - 1978; and 1987 - 1994
- The Mike Holloway era 1978 - 1987
- The Chris Dimmock era 1994 - present
