Seeking info on Ecurie Willmac
Discussion
This sad looking lump of metal is from a big Healey. It belongs to a pal of mine who does my coachworks and, as you can see, it has sat in his body shop for no less than 26 years! Hence the deep layer of filler dust.
This Healey apparently had a bit of a racing history. When rebuilding the shell he found lots of evidence of modified panels, etc. But the most interesting part is the engine.
Now I am no Healey anorak because, to tell you the truth, I never liked them, but as far as I can remember this engine is not standard. I have taken the head off it to check out the condition and it is remarkably good considering.
I am reasonably certain the inlet valves are much bigger than standard; in fact, you couldn't make them any bigger. The head has also been skimmed and flat top pistons fitted indicating a higher compression ratio.
It also has an oil cooler adapter fitted to the filter housing.
But the most intriguing bit for me is the rocker cover that is fitted with a brass plaque bearing the inscription "ECURIE WILLMAC". I am assuming this is either a racing team or a competition engine builder.
The car is a 100/6 BN4 2 PORT, and is quite a rare beast now.
Can anyone shed any light on this and who or what this is?
I would much appreciate some history.
Regards,
J
This Healey apparently had a bit of a racing history. When rebuilding the shell he found lots of evidence of modified panels, etc. But the most interesting part is the engine.
Now I am no Healey anorak because, to tell you the truth, I never liked them, but as far as I can remember this engine is not standard. I have taken the head off it to check out the condition and it is remarkably good considering.
I am reasonably certain the inlet valves are much bigger than standard; in fact, you couldn't make them any bigger. The head has also been skimmed and flat top pistons fitted indicating a higher compression ratio.
It also has an oil cooler adapter fitted to the filter housing.
But the most intriguing bit for me is the rocker cover that is fitted with a brass plaque bearing the inscription "ECURIE WILLMAC". I am assuming this is either a racing team or a competition engine builder.
The car is a 100/6 BN4 2 PORT, and is quite a rare beast now.
Can anyone shed any light on this and who or what this is?
I would much appreciate some history.
Regards,
J
Link posted to the Healey Forum
Someone like Denis Welch (Google - he has a Big Healey restoration co) or Joe Cox, Allan Cameron, Paul Woolmer ( link) would be worth asking.
Someone like Denis Welch (Google - he has a Big Healey restoration co) or Joe Cox, Allan Cameron, Paul Woolmer ( link) would be worth asking.
Interesting Post .
Probably no connection, but I'n the mid 90s I was fortunate to meet an elderly , Gent / real character whilst working in a friends bodyshop .
He was known as Stanford Hill Steve and had been a Nth London Car Dealer during the 50s and 60s and had had some fabulous cars pass through his hands , over the years, Inc Buicks, XK120s ( he had a lovely 120 Roadster , ) A90 Atlantics , E Types etc etc and loved Our sort of cars . We hit it off immediately .
One day he bought I'n a lovely collection of photos, among which were some of a his then ( 1950s ) Girlfriend , I'n her Healey 100-6 competing at Silverstone . She owned and raced 2 Healey 100-6s and apparently was a quick amateur driver . Her name was Liz Degaden , he had lost touch with her sometime I'n the 60s . Steve sadly died suddenly soon after , before he could tell me more about his life as a London car dealer .
Any Healey Enthusiasts recall her ?
Probably no connection, but I'n the mid 90s I was fortunate to meet an elderly , Gent / real character whilst working in a friends bodyshop .
He was known as Stanford Hill Steve and had been a Nth London Car Dealer during the 50s and 60s and had had some fabulous cars pass through his hands , over the years, Inc Buicks, XK120s ( he had a lovely 120 Roadster , ) A90 Atlantics , E Types etc etc and loved Our sort of cars . We hit it off immediately .
One day he bought I'n a lovely collection of photos, among which were some of a his then ( 1950s ) Girlfriend , I'n her Healey 100-6 competing at Silverstone . She owned and raced 2 Healey 100-6s and apparently was a quick amateur driver . Her name was Liz Degaden , he had lost touch with her sometime I'n the 60s . Steve sadly died suddenly soon after , before he could tell me more about his life as a London car dealer .
Any Healey Enthusiasts recall her ?
Pete Farmer, who's probably been involved in more strange Healeys than you can shake a stick at, reckons that a 2 port head, standard valves and flat top pistons don not a race engine make. ECURIE WILLMAC doesn't raise any memories among the old timers I've spoken to so it might have just been a private joke.
kev_the_mole said:
Pete Farmer, who's probably been involved in more strange Healeys than you can shake a stick at, reckons that a 2 port head, standard valves and flat top pistons don not a race engine make. ECURIE WILLMAC doesn't raise any memories among the old timers I've spoken to so it might have just been a private joke.
If you saw the car you would realise it was no joke. It had substantial panel mods and evidence of it being lightened. The issue of the engine not being suitable for a racer today because of the ports is not really relevant. When the car was new that was all you had. It was only the later cars that had different heads and porting.Neil, are you sure about the oil cooler being standard? It was most unusual in that era for cars to have an oil cooler as standard. It would only be fitted as an aftermarket option.
We are trying to find out of the Willmac is Scottish as the car was bought up here. If this is the case it could be an abbreviation for something like Willie MacDonald, etc.
Interesting stuff though.
J
healeyneil said:
J. I dont see any oil cooler take off in the photo I can see, but I would happy to be wrong. Whereabouts are you ( when you mention Scotland ) Im in Glasgow. Neil
Hi Neil,If you look at the first pic you can see the two cooler pipes running forward from the filter housing.
I'm in Hillington, so pop in if you want a chat and a coffee!
http://www.jlmotorengineering.co.uk/
J
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