Page 24 - The Origin of the Species

THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES
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decade throughout the American southeast, remaining throughout this time
in the Unites States, where it would spend most of its existence until the 21st
century.12
The Most Recent Custodians
For almost 20 years, SPL 224B (AHS 3804) was in the care of Craig Hillinger,
owner of Healey Werks in Lawton, Iowa (though for a significant period the
business was located in the Chicagoland area), who had purchased the car from
Fred Hunter who had owned it since 1966. For much of that time, Hillinger
was a well-respected member of the classic car community, specializing in the
restoration of Austin-Healeys, Aston Martins, Ferraris and Aston Martins. SPL
224B (AHS 3804) was occasionally shown at several Austin-Healey Club of
America events during this time, but never displayed at a major concours.
The restorer ran into significant trouble in 2020, when Bill Oesterle, the
former CEO of Angie’s List sued Hillinger in an Iowa district court, alleging that
numerous improprieties took place over the course of their ten-year business
relationship.
The allegations at the heart of the lawsuit and the subsequent default judgment
that the court entered were summarized in Sports Car Market:
Over the years, Oesterle sent a number of cars to Healey Werks and its owner, Craig
Hillinger. It’s hard to believe the relationship lasted as long as it did, given the major
problems with the six cars involved in the lawsuit.
Film actor Jackie Cooper
poses with the staff at Ed
Bussey’s Ship & Shore Motors
in West Palm Beach, Florida.
(The Donald Healey Collection)