Page 21 - The Origin of the Species

THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES 21
On October 10, 1955, Geoffrey Healey chose three cars for the season opener
of the 1956 season at the 12 Hours of Sebring, designating SPL 224B (AHS
3804), which was still referred to as NOJ 391, SPL 257BN, which was most often
described as OON 440 (despite having ostensibly loaned that plate to SPL 224B
(AHS 3804) for the Mille Miglia, and SPL 258BN (OON 441). The vehicles were
sent to the United States soon after the new year, based at Ed Bussey’s Ship &
Shore Motors in West Palm Beach, the leading Austin-Healey dealership in the
American southeast. The location of the vehicle allowed Phil Stiles to borrow
SPL 224B (AHS 3804) and participate in the Daytona Speed Trails on February
22, where he recorded an average two-way speed of 128 mph.
The following month, Stiles and George Huntoon drove SPL 224B (AHS
3804) at the 12 Hours of Sebring as American privateers with Ship & Shore as
the official entrant, occasioning a white and blue stripe that was added down the
The entry form for George
Abecassis submitted to the
Automobile Club Brescia for
the 1955 Mille Miglia. (Hervé
Chevalier Collection)