History of the Austin-Healey Club of America

In 1958, through the efforts of Clyde Anderson and Jim Engle, word spread around the Chicago area that an Austin-Healey Club would be formed as a regional club of the Austin-Healey Club of America, whose national headquarters was located in Bethesda, Maryland. At the first meeting in Chicago, a steering committee was given the job of setting up the Club. The committee wrote preliminary by-laws and addressed other matters in preparation for a March 1961 meeting, at which officers were elected and the Club was given the go-ahead to begin incorporation of the Midwest regional club.

The first official Club meeting was held May 8, 1961, at the Como Inn in Chicago with 29 charter members in attendance. The first Club officers were Chuck Anderson, regional director; Kenneth Rochocki, vice regional director; O.M. MacLeran, deputy regional director; Robert Flaherty, secretary; and Ernest Rysso, treasurer. The first regional Club newsletter, Healey Chatter, was published in June 1961 with Chuck Anderson as editor.

AHCA Shield

We used the insignia of the national Club, a quartered shield, as our insignia.

• 1st quarter: checkpoint, symbolizing rallies
• 2nd quarter: a trophy mug, symbolizing competition and social activities
• 3rd quarter: a rod and piston, symbolizing technical activities
• 4th quarter: an autocross or race course, symbolizing the four- and six-cylinder Healeys, with an “S” for the Sprites.

Shortly after incorporation, the national Club in Bethesda ceased operation. The Midwest Region took on the duties of the national headquarters and became stronger because of it.

The real start of the present national AHCA began in 1974 with a new format for Chatter, initiated by Roger Sutfin. The revamped newsletter attracted members from outside the Chicago Club. Healey owners from all over the country were hungry for any news or information they could get on their beloved sports car.

In 1974, under the able leadership of Walt Blanck, the Club took on another characteristic — a dedication to preserving the marque through car restorations. The excellent content of Chatter continued to draw interest from outside the Chicago area, increasing numbers of associate members to the point where they outnumbered active members 2 to 1. As of June 1976, membership was set at 375 members, up from 20 members in 1974.

Walt Blanck was also responsible for forming new regional Clubs. In July 1975, the Detroit Club was formed with Mike Yancheck as its president. By mid-1976, Clubs had been formed in Minneapolis and Indianapolis.

Because of the growth of the associate memberships and the formation of new regional Clubs, the Executive Council voted to drop “Midwest Region” from the name of the Club in Chicago and make it the official National Club, although it would continue to operate as before. The new Club insignia was designed by Dudley Campbell from Cincinnati, Ohio, with modifications by Chuck Anderson and Walt Blanck. Chatter was also given a new look.

The idea for a national conclave was conceived by Walt Blanck in the summer of 1975. It became a reality on July 17 to 18, 1976, at the Inn of the Four Winds in Bloomington, Indiana. With 76 Healeys and Sprites lined up for inspection and pictures, and 250 Healey enthusiasts attending, it was a sight to behold. Seventy-one cars entered the Back Roads Bonanza Rally and all finished in time to enjoy the hospitality suite and barbecue dinner to go along with the event awards. That Sunday, the participants had a chance to drive in the Pylon Pussyfooting Gymkhana before leaving for home. The event was the first of its kind for the Club, and it was a huge success. The resulting publicity helped the national Club grow from 350 to 543 members and led to more area clubs being formed. Clubs in the Carolinas area; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Columbus and Dayton, Ohio; and Ontario, Canada, all formed around the time of Conclave 1976.

The next memorable event was Donald M. Healey’s visit to the Midwest Club on August 31, 1976. A testimonial dinner was held at the Marriott Lincolnshire Hotel near Chicago. More than 100 people attended, including members from Chicago and Evansville, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, Indiana; Mayfield, Kentucky; Detroit, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Charlotte, North Carolina; Toledo, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Ontario, Canada — a truly national representation.

By the 1977 Spring Roundup event at Pokagon State Park in northeastern Indiana, the Club had grown to 690 members. This event was orchestrated by the Fort Wayne Club and such notables as Tom Busch, Jon Needler, Bob Nissley and Jim-Bob White. With a rally on Saturday afternoon and a field gymkhana on Sunday, it was a good breakout for spring and a warm-up for Conclave 1977.

Close on the heels of a successful Conclave in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, came Donald Healey’s second visit on August 30, 1977, hosted by the Chicago area Club in the home of Bill and Sharon Bruhn. Donald showed interest in building another Healey and thought American safety and pollution standards could be met. That certainly would have added a new dimension to our history — too bad it did not happen!

With the growth of the Club came growing pains. Most of these were alleviated at the national board meeting held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, February 18 to 19, 1978. Representatives of all 12 area clubs were there to accomplish several things: (1) adopting by-laws for the national Club; (2) electing officers to lead what was now a national organization; and (3) planning Conclave 1978 and delegating responsibilities. The first national officers elected were Walt Blanck, national president; Chuck Anderson, national vice president and events coordinator; Jeanette Blanck, national treasurer; Edie Anderson, national secretary and membership. Walt Blanck continued as Chatter editor.

Also in 1999, a new chapter of the AHCA was formed to recognize the marine portion of Donald Healey’s motor sport activities. Called the Austin-Healey Sportsboat Club, it quickly grew to over 60 members internationally. Known informally as the Sportsboat Chapter, this group of enthusiasts is seeking to gather information on the history and products of Healey Marine, originally headed by Brian “Bic” Healey. Several examples of Healey Boats have been found, documented, catalogued and in some cases, restored.

Please use the link below to access the AHCA Club History document.
 
AHCA Club History Rev 8 (July 2024)

AHCA NATIONAL HISTORICAL LIST OF OFFICERS

AHCA OFFICERS – 1976 To Present

ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS:

NATIONAL PRESIDENT

   Walt Blanck                                        07/76 to 07/79

   Tom Busch                                         70/79 to 12/81

   Chuck Anderson                                 12/81 to 11/85

   Rudy Streng                                       11/85 to 01/90

   Bonnie Ayer                                       01/90 to 01/93

   George Feild                                      01/93 to 01/96

   Bob Gilleland                                      01/96 to 01/00

   Gary Lownsdale                                 01/00 to 01/03

   John May                                           01/03 to 01/07

   Carl Brown                                         01/07 to 01/l0

   Gary Brierton                                     01/10 to 01/14

   Fred Dabney                                      01/14 to 01/17

   Gary Feldman                                    01/17 to 01/23

   Roger Hamel                                      01/23 to present

VICE PRESIDENT

   Chuck Anderson                                 07/76 to 07/79

   John Bollinger                                    07/79 to 12/81

   Bruce Buczynski                                 12/81 to 07/82

   Jerry Wall                                           07/82 to 11/85

VICE PRESIDENT (2^ND) /Events - Established 1984

   Rudy Streng                                       10/84 to 11/85

   Von Patterson                                    11/85 to 11/88

   Paul Jordan                                        06/89 to 07/90

VP AREA CLUB COORDINATOR

   Chris Kellner                                      11/85 to 11/87

   Thom Anderson                                  11/87 to 11/92

Became VP AREA CLUB SUPPORT in 01/93

   Fred Crowley                                      01/93 to 01/94

   Bob Gilleland                                      01/94 to 01/96

   John May                                           01/96 to 01/03

   Carl Brown                                         01/03 to 01/07

   Gary Brierton                                     01/07 to 01/10

   Gary Feldman                                    01/10 to 01/17

   Bruce Gearns                                     01/17 to 01/20

   Cliff Hudgins                                       01/20 to 01/21

   Ray Donovan                                     01/22 - 10/23
   Steve Bell        11/23 - present

VP PUBLIC RELATIONS

   Baird Foster                                       02/96 to 11/98

   Fred Dabney                                      11/98 to 11/04

Became VP PROMOTION in 11/04

   Baird Foster                                       11/04 to 01/06

Became VP PROMOTION & PR in 01/06

   Greg Lauser                                       01/06 to 01/13

   Ben Moore                                         01/13 to 01/20

   Pete Sturtevant                                  01/21 to present

CONCLAVE CHAIR

   John Lomax                                       11/88 to 6/89

Became VP CONCLAVES

   John Lomax                                       06/89 to 07/90

Changed to CONCLAVE ADVISOR

   Bev Sealand                                       11/93 to 07/95

   Dick Lunney                                       07/95 to 11/96

   Mike Schneider                                  11/96 to 01/00

Changed to VP CONCLAVE

   Roger Hamel                                      01/00 to 01/07

   Jim Frakes                                         01/07 to 01/13

   Jo Switzer                                          01/13 to 01/14

   Jim Frakes                                          01/14 to 01/17

   Neil Anderson                                    1/17 to present

CLUB LIAISON

   Dick Lunney                                       __/__  to 11/88

CHANGED TO VP CLUB LIAISON

   Dick Lunney                                       11/88 to 02/90

CLUB LIAISON (EAST COAST)

   Dave Doyle                                        11/89 to 06/90

CLUB LIAISON (WEST COAST)

   John Hunt                                          11/97 to 11/98

   Jim Albeck                                         11/99 to 02/00

DELEGATE AT LARGE

   John Marshall                                     06/95 to 11/98

   John Hunt                                          11/98 to 02/00

   Jim Albeck                                         02/00 to 07/04

   Smith Brody                                       07/04 to 01/09

   Steve Byers                                       01/09 to present

VP OPERATIONS (Office terminated 1/95)

   William Thompson                              01/93 to 11/94

HEALEY RACING

   Thom Anderson                                  11/92 to 11/94

Became VP HEALEY RACING

   Fred Crowley                                      11/94 to 11/00

SAFETY

    Paul Dunnell                                      11/91 to 11/99

Combined Racing and Safety 11/00

Became VP COMPETITION & SAFETY

   Bill Naretta                                         11/00 to 01/09

Became VP/CLASSIFICATION &SAFETY during Bill’s tenure

   Don Klein                                           01/09 to 01/21

   Jeff Porada                                        01/21 to present

SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP

   Edie Anderson                                    01/75 to 08/98

Office Divided in 08/98 to VP Membership & Secretary

VP MEMBERSHIP ADMINISTRATION

   Edie Anderson                                    08/98 to 01/06

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

   Mike Schneider                                  01/06 to present

SECRETARY

   Ann Jones                                          08/98 to 01/04

   Edie Lowery                                       01/04 to 01/09

   Jo Switzer                                          01/09 to 01/13

   Anne Johnson                                    01/13 to 01/17

   Edie Lowery                                       01/17 to 01/19

   Peter Sturtevant                                 01/19 to 01/21

   Edie Lowery                                       01/21 to present

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

   Eileen Wetzel                                     01/17 to 01/21

   Jerry Spurlock                                    01/21 to __/__

TREASURER         

   Jeanette Blanck                                  07/76 to 07/79

   Claire Busch                                      07/79 to 12/81

   Gary Oddi                                          12/81 to 10/83

   Judy Kellner                                       10/83 to 01/86

   Greg Kurtz                                         01/86 to 11/87

   Bev Sealand                                       11/87 to present

CHATTER EDITOR

   Walt Blanck                                        07/76 to 02/79

   Bill Wood                                           02/79 to 07/84

   Jim Dougherty                                    07/84 to 07/85

   Dee Terry-McDonald                          07/85 to 01/90

CHANGED TO CHATTER PUBLISHER 11/88

   Dick Lunney                                       01/90 to 01/95

   Baird Foster                                       01/95 to 08/97

   Tammy Anderson                               08/97 to 01/02

NAME CHANGED TO HEALEY MARQUE 01/99

   Glenn Hudson                                    01/02 to 12/05

   Reid Trummel                                    12/05 to present

CHATTER & HEALEY MARQUE PUBLISHERS

    Beth Lunney                                      11/88 to 12/07

    Reid Trummel                                   12/07 to present

LEGAL COUNSEL

    Randy Robinson                                07/78 to 01/14

    William Borja                                     01/14 to present

ADVERTISING MANAGER        

   Bruce Buczynski                                 07/81 to 07/82

   Ron Carnein                                       07/82 to 07/84

   Mark Miller                                         07/84 to 11/87

   Dan Dougherty                                   11/87 to 06/88

   Walt Blanck                                        06/88 to 10/92

   Rocky Santiago                                  10/92 to 11/96

   Dick Lunney                                       11/96 to 11/98

   Gary/Paulette Lownsdale                    11/98 to 01/00

   Paulette Lownsdale                            01/00 to 01/01  

   Bob Gilleland                                      01/01 to 01/13

   Robbie Cook                                      01/13 to 01/14

   Laurie Wilford                                     01/14 to 01/21

   Vince Barnell                                      01/21 to present

REGALIA

   Tom Busch                                         12/81 to 10/84

   Steve Martin                                      10/84 to 07/86

   Cal Knorpp                                         07/86 to 06/88

   Bill Passmore                                     06/88 to 11/88

   Rudy/Joan Streng                               11/88 to 06/93

   Jim Cox                                             06/93 to 06/94

   Fred Dabney                                      06/94 to 11/98

   Norm Parsons                                    11/98 to 11/04

   Betty Bender                                      11/04 to 01/07

   John Eslinger                                     01/07 to 01/14

   Steve Bell                                          1/14 to present

COORDINATOR NEXT GENERATION

   Brian Thornton                                   02/00 to 02/01

Became FUTURE 50

   Ben Moore                                         02/01 to 01/13

   Elliott Flaws                                        01/13 to present

PUBLICITY (Office terminated 01/00)

   Bill Kowalski                                       06/87 to 01/00

INSURANCE

   Chuck Anderson                                 07/76 to 11/05

   Fred Dabney                                      11/05 to 01/21

   Bill Borja                                            01/21 to present

BY LAWS COMMITTEE CHAIR

   Royce Miller                                       11/89 to 2/91

REVISION OF BY LAWS

   Edie Lowery                                       01/07 to present

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

    Warren Gallinger                               11/87 to present

DMH MEMORIAL FUND

   George Feild                                      07/91 to 11/92

   Baird Foster                                       11/92 to 01/16

   Fred Dabney                                      01/16 to 01/18

   John Heffron                                      01/18 to 01/21

   Bonnie Ayer                                       2021 to present

CONCOURS

   Walt Blanck                                        11/89 to 07/90

   Rich Chrysler                                     07/90 to 01/95

   Marion Brantley                                  01/95 to 01/03

   Rich Chrysler                                     01/03 to 01/12

   Bruce Gearns                                     01/12 to present

CONSOLIDATION (Office terminated 11/94)

   Bonnie Ayer                                       08/92 to 11/94

CHATTER BACK ISSUES

   Barb/Mike Flaws                                 02/91 to 11/98

   John Hunt                                          11/98 to 01/02

Became HEALEY MARQUE BACK ISSUES

   John Jones                                        01/02 to 11/13

   Peter Barrone                                     01/14 to present

ARCHIVIST

   John Seaman

CLUB HISTORIAN (Office terminated 01/93)

   Gary Hodson                                      11/87 to 11/89

   William Thompson                              11/89 to 01/93

Club Historian Office Re-established 1/06

   Edie Anderson                                    01/06 to present

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

   Past Presidents who have opted to participate including the following:

                    Bob Gilleland

                    Bonnie Ayer

                    John May

                    Carl Brown

                    Gary Lownsdale

          Delegate Positions

                    Les Vass                          2001 to 2002

                    Len Thomas                     2001 to 2006

                    Edie Lowery                     2003 to 2004

                    Bill Ebersole                     2004 to 2005

                    Bob Yule                          2007 to 2019

                    Jim Richmond                  2007 to 2020

                    Robbie Cook                    2012 to 2014

    Bruce Gearns                   2015 to 2016

   Steve Bell                         2016 to 2021

   Bob Yule                           2020 to 2022

  Jim Richmond                   2021 to 2022*

  Steve Bell                         2022 to 2023*

  Edie Anderson                  2022 to 2024

  Bruce Gearns                   2023 to 2025

• Jim Richmond resigned in July, 2022. Steve Bell was elected in November 2022 to complete the remaining portion of his term.

BUDGET COMMITTEE – Not active

DRIVING AWARDS

   Roger Hamel                                      07/00 to 06/06

   Bonnie Ayer                                       06/06 to 11/13

   Gary Brierton                                     01/13 to present

WEB CONTACT

   Carl Brown                                         2004 to 2007          

   Cole Getzler                                        2007 to 6/12

   David May                                         06/12 to 01/14

   Carl Brown                                         06/12 to 01/14

   Ben Moore                                         01/14 to 01/21

Presidents of AHCA since 1976:

Conclaves held since 1976

International Meets held