Through the efforts of Clyde Anderson and Jim Engle, word spread around the  the Chicagoland area that an Austin-Healey Club would be formed as a Region of the Austin-Healey Club of America, whose national headquarters was, at that time, in Bethesda, MD. At the first meeting a Steering Committee was given the job of setting up the Club. This was done, with the preliminary by-laws, etc. being ready for a March, 1961 meeting. At that time the election of officers was held and the go-ahead given to start incorporation. The first official Club meeting was held on May 8, 1961 at the Como Inn in Chicago with 29 charter members in attendance. The first officers were: Chuck Anderson, Regional Director; Kenneth Rochocki, Vice Regional Director; O.M. MacLeran, Deputy Regional Director; Robert Flaherty, Secretary; and Ernest Rysso, Treasurer. The first Regional newsletter, Healey Chatter , was published in June 1961 with Chuck Anderson as Editor.

The insignia of the national club was used as our insignia: A quartered shield

• 1st quarter: checkpoint, symbolizing rallies;

• 2nd quarter: a trophy mug, symbolizing competition and social activities;

• 3rd quarter: a rod and piston, symbolizing technical activities;

• 4th quarter: an autocross or race course, also symbolizing the four and six cylinder Healeys with esses for the Sprite.

Shortly after incorporation, the Midwest Region found that the national club in Bethesda had ceased operation, so the Midwest Region took on the job as the National Headquarters and became stronger because of it.

The real start of the present national AHCA was started by a new format of CHATTER which was initiated in 1974 by Roger Sutfin. This started attracting more members from outside the Chicago club. It was found that Healey owners from all over the country were hungry for any news or information they could get on their beloved car.

In 1974, under the able leadership of Walt Blanck, the Club took on the additional characteristics of a club dedicated to the preservation of the marque by way of restorations. Because of the continued excellent content of CHATTER , our Associate Membership (i.e. outside of the Chicago area) grew to the point where they out numbered the Active Members 2-to-1. Membership as of June 1976 was set at 375 members, up from 20 members in 1974.

Walt Blanck was also responsible for setting up the formation of area clubs. In July 1975, the Detroit club was formed with Mike Yancheck as its President. Mid-1976 saw the formation of clubs in Minneapolis and Indianapolis.

Because of the growth of the Associate Membership and the formation of area clubs, the Executive Council voted to become a National Club by dropping the Midwest Region from the name but continuing to operate as in the past. The new Club insignia was designed by Dudley Campbell from Cincinnati, OH with modifications by Chuck Anderson and Walt Blanck. This also gave CHATTER a new look.

The idea for a national Conclave was conceived by Walt Blanck in the summer of 1975 and became a reality on July 17-18, 1976 at the Inn of the Four Winds in Bloomington, IN. With 76 Healeys and Sprites all lined up for inspection and pictures, and 250 Healey people, it was a sight to behold. 71 cars entered the Back Roads Bonanza Rally and all finished in time to enjoy the Hospitality Suite and barbecue dinner to go along with the awards. Sunday saw the participants driving in the Pylon Pussyfooting Gymkhana, a really fun-khana before leaving for home. The event, being the first of its kind, was a huge success with the resultant publicity helping the growth of the National Club from 350 to 543 members. More important than the numbers was the growth of area clubs with the Carolinas Area, Ontario, Dayton, Ft. Wayne and Columbus clubs all being formed around the time of Conclave '76.

The next memorable event was the visit of Donald M. Healey on August 31, 1976 to the Midwest with a testimonial dinner at Marriott Lincolnshire hotel. Over 100 people attended with members from Ontario, Detroit, Ft. Wayne, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Evansville, Mayfield, KY, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Toledo and Chicago -- a truly National representation.

After a long winter of dreaming, and growth to 690 members, came Spring Round-Up at Pokagon State Park in Northeastern Indiana. This event was orchestrated by the Ft. Wayne club and such notables as Tom Busch, Jon Needler, Bob Nissley and Jim-Bob White, with a rally on Saturday afternoon and a field gymkhana on Sunday. It was a good breakout for spring and a warm-up for Conclave '77.

Close on the heels of a successful Conclave at Seven Springs, PA came Donald Healey's second visit on August 30, 1977 hosted by the Chicago area in the home of Bill and Sharon Bruhn. Donald showed interest in building another Healey and thought American safety and pollution standards could be met. That certainly would have added a new dimension to our history -- too bad it did not happen!

With growth comes growing pains. Most of these were alleviated at the National Board meeting held in Ft. Wayne on February 18-19, 1978. Representatives of all 12 area clubs were there to accomplish such things as: 1) adopting by-laws for the National Club 2) electing national officers and affecting for the first time a National Organization 3) setting up Conclave '78 and delegating responsibilities. The first National Officers elected were: Walt Blanck, National President; Chuck Anderson, National Vice-President and Events Coordinator; Jeanette Blanck, National Treasurer; Edie Anderson, National Secretary and Membership. Walt Blanck continued as CHATTER editor.

From this point on it has been steady growth for the AHCA. Membership went from 900 to over 3700 by the sanctioning of new clubs each year and the holding of successful Conclaves all over the US and Canada each year (first in Louisville, KY; Asheville, NC; Toronto, Canada; and Fredricksburg, VA). Two highlights of those 15+ years were the International meets held in 1982 (Snowmass, CO), 1992 (Breckenridge, CO), and 1997 (Park City UT). The 30th Anniversary Meet in Snowmass saw the members of Pacific Centre and other independent clubs go together with AHCA to put together a meet of 400 Healey families. Donald Healey and his family's visit was tremendous. The next fifteen years saw Conclaves held in Oconomowoc, WI; Snowshoe, WV; Charlotte, NC; Cincinnati, OH; Encounter/Conclave, Harrisburg, PA; Shangri-La, OK; Niagara Falls, CAN; Rockford, IL; Sturbridge, MA; Louisville, KY; Atlanta, GA; Montebello, Quebec; Asheville, NC, Boyne Mountain, MI and St.Louis, MO.

In May, 1999, the National Office fo AHCA was moved from hits original site inArllington Heights, IL, to Monroe, NC.

Also in 1999, a new chapter of AHCA was formed to recognize the marine portion of Donald Healey's motor sport activities.  Called the Austin Healey Sportsboat Club, it quickly grew to over 60 members internationally.  Known informally as the Sportsboat Chapter, this group of enthusiasts is seeking to gather information on the history and products of Healey Marine, originally headed by Brian (Bic) Healey.  Several examples of Healey Boats have been found, documented, catalogued, and in some cases restored.