"The Healey Silverstone is remarkable not only because it handles as well as any modern car we have driven and gives vivid acceleration and a maximum speed of over 100mph, but because it achieves this performance on less than 2.5 litres and with a 3.5-to-1 axle ratio, so that economy of petrol is quite unexpected.

Over and above its performance capabilities, it is so docile and pleasant to drive that learner-drivers feel at home in it, it is entirely devoid of temperament, and, if it is not beautiful in appearance, its lines have a satisfying functional simplicity" ( Bill Boddy, writing in Motorsport , November 1949).

Announced in July 1949, the Silverstone was arguably the most famous car to carry the Healey badge.

Benefiting from the experience that Donald Healey, Achille 'Sammy' Sampietro (chassis guru), Ben Bowden (body engineer) and Roger Menadue (Experimental Department Manager) had gained via the earlier Westland and Elliot models, its steel ladder-frame chassis was both mass...