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Fred Thomas
Charter club member
Charter club member
My name is Fred Thomas (Penny Rushing). I am not enclosing photos of my car because there are so many
of them already under the "Photo" section of the web site. Just in case you don't know, it is the White BJ 8
with the black top and interior.
This car joined me in the spring of 1973. It was my college graduation present to myself and the first street legal, drivable car that I ever owned. Yes, this is my first car!
My high school days revolved around hot rods and drag racing. We spent many hours hanging around the garages at "Mr. Norm's Grand Spalding Dodge", "Nickey Chevrolet", with the backward K and other well known race shops.
During college, I was exposed to European Sports Cars and the drag racing days came to an end. The cars lined up at our fraternity house included: E-Type Jaguars, Fiats of all types, Datsun 240 Z, Opel GT, MG's, Triumph's, and of course, my favorite, Austin Healey's. I attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL. Many of you old timers may recall a dealer down there known as "University Motors". They always had a large supply of exotic sports cars on the lot and I lusted after the Big Healeys the entire time I was there.
After graduation I went looking for Healey's in the classified ads in Chicago. As I look back on the experience it is amazing what sad condition so many of these cars were in when you consider that most of them were less than ten years old! I settled on a 1967 model mostly because it had a radio. The other key factor was the asking price within my budget. It was painted a General Motors version of metallic gold that might have been an attempt at Golden Beige Metallic. We will never know.
Fast forward to 19777 - the Healey and I have been transferred from Chicago to Milwaukee, and Brian Stark introduces me to Tom Kovacs of Fourintune Garages. Tom convinces me that these cars are worth restoring and he is the man for the job. I agree to the restoration.
I had joined the National Austin Healey Club as soon as I bought the Healey. While the restoration was going on I got a notice that Chuck Walker was trying to establish a local chapter and form the Wisconsin Chapter. We had a meeting at John Hawk's Pub (Very British) and when we adjourned there was a Wisconsin Chapter of the AHCA.
When our club was new, Conclave was a big part of our annual calendar. I have attended Ashville, N.C., Toronto, Canada, Fredericksburg VA., Oconomowoc, WI., Rockford IL., Burlington VT., and Kingston, Ontario.
The Healey and I were avid rally participants, veterans of many exciting road trips, and we get out on the race track every chance we get. The last time was Racing School at the Kingston Conclave in 2009.
The Healey and our fellow club members have been a very important and most enjoyable part of our lives.
Many thanks to all of you for the happy memories. We can't to see you again at the next event.
This car joined me in the spring of 1973. It was my college graduation present to myself and the first street legal, drivable car that I ever owned. Yes, this is my first car!
My high school days revolved around hot rods and drag racing. We spent many hours hanging around the garages at "Mr. Norm's Grand Spalding Dodge", "Nickey Chevrolet", with the backward K and other well known race shops.
During college, I was exposed to European Sports Cars and the drag racing days came to an end. The cars lined up at our fraternity house included: E-Type Jaguars, Fiats of all types, Datsun 240 Z, Opel GT, MG's, Triumph's, and of course, my favorite, Austin Healey's. I attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL. Many of you old timers may recall a dealer down there known as "University Motors". They always had a large supply of exotic sports cars on the lot and I lusted after the Big Healeys the entire time I was there.
After graduation I went looking for Healey's in the classified ads in Chicago. As I look back on the experience it is amazing what sad condition so many of these cars were in when you consider that most of them were less than ten years old! I settled on a 1967 model mostly because it had a radio. The other key factor was the asking price within my budget. It was painted a General Motors version of metallic gold that might have been an attempt at Golden Beige Metallic. We will never know.
Fast forward to 19777 - the Healey and I have been transferred from Chicago to Milwaukee, and Brian Stark introduces me to Tom Kovacs of Fourintune Garages. Tom convinces me that these cars are worth restoring and he is the man for the job. I agree to the restoration.
I had joined the National Austin Healey Club as soon as I bought the Healey. While the restoration was going on I got a notice that Chuck Walker was trying to establish a local chapter and form the Wisconsin Chapter. We had a meeting at John Hawk's Pub (Very British) and when we adjourned there was a Wisconsin Chapter of the AHCA.
When our club was new, Conclave was a big part of our annual calendar. I have attended Ashville, N.C., Toronto, Canada, Fredericksburg VA., Oconomowoc, WI., Rockford IL., Burlington VT., and Kingston, Ontario.
The Healey and I were avid rally participants, veterans of many exciting road trips, and we get out on the race track every chance we get. The last time was Racing School at the Kingston Conclave in 2009.
The Healey and our fellow club members have been a very important and most enjoyable part of our lives.
Many thanks to all of you for the happy memories. We can't to see you again at the next event.
Copyright 2009 Wisconsin Austin Healey Club. All Rights Reserved