The history of the Purple Lips Austin Healey 3000


Chuck Flannigan at the wheel of the PLRT 3000 circa 1963

Purchased by Don Chapman in the late eighties, this big Healey has been racing since new.  It was built as a replica of the famed Hollywood Healey by Chuck Flannigan, using the competition parts that were sold by Hollywood Motors in the early sixties.  

Finding the car is a true car in a barn story, with the car resurrected after almost twenty years of hibernation in Chuck's barn.  Once the chicken shit had been cleaned off her lavender paint, we held a coming out party in Eugene for the Healey.  

It was at that party that Don got his nickname "Old Purple Lips" and the team name was born!  The rest is as they say, history.  From 1988-1997, this Healey was a regular fixture and dominant force of vintage racing on the West Coast. 

 Now owned by Bob Macherione (a Purple Lips Team Member), the Healey is being prepared to resume its vintage racing career.

 

More pictures of the Healey can be seen at: www.oldirish.com/plrt/healey.html

 
 
 

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