Austin Healey Rear Disc Conversion BN1

1950s style illustration of a red Austin-Healey 3000 parked outside a garage in autumn, with a smiling man in blue overalls preparing to work on the classic car.

The Autumn Workshop Season

The summer’s rallies and shows are fading into the rear-view mirror. The evenings close in, the air smells faintly of damp leaves, and the Healey in your garage is finally staying put long enough for you to pull out the spanners. For many owners — whether you’ve lived with these cars since they were just “second-hand sports cars” or you’re a younger enthusiast chasing the same magic — autumn is the season of bigger jobs.

It’s the time when fluids get changed, panels get fettled, and, if you’re wise, brakes get the attention they deserve. After all, Healey engines are lively, and Healey brakes… well, let’s just say Donald never designed them with the M25 in mind.

Two brake discs for the rear brake conversion kit

Why Rear Discs? A Story from the Workshop

Drum brakes have served Healeys faithfully for decades, and when maintained properly they’re more than capable — particularly if originality matters to you. Many owners still prefer the look and feel of our OE-style rear drums for wire wheel Healeys, which keep the period character intact.

That said, discs bring a different flavour:

Consistency — less affected by rain, heat, or traffic.
Fade resistance — particularly noticeable on long descents or spirited touring.
Modern pedal feel — a confidence boost in today’s driving conditions.

Think of it less as “better or worse” and more like choosing between classic carburettors or electronic ignition: both work, but one prioritises originality while the other leans on modern reliability.

Rear Disc Conversion at a Glance
Feature	Benefit / Why It Matters
Alloy rear calipers & brackets	Predictable stopping, reduced unsprung weight
Pads & cable handbrake linkage	Steadier pedal feel and practical parking brake
All hardware & instructions	Time saved in the workshop, no missing pieces
Fitment: late BN1 (ch. 221536) to BJ8	Designed specifically for 5-stud axles
Wheel compatibility	Works with both wire and steel wheels

Make Autumn Workshop Time Count

Order Your Kit Now

1950s illustration of a man working beneath an Austin Healey 3000 in a cosy home garage, wife bringing tea and biscuits, warm nostalgic scene.

When the Garage Light Glows

There’s something about this season that makes the workshop feel like home. The evenings draw in, the kettle clicks on, and the familiar scent of EP90 hangs in the air. The clatter of sockets in the tray, the satisfying twist of a spanner, and the inevitable bolt that disappears under the bench — it’s all part of the rhythm.

Tackling the brakes in these months has always made sense. Back when Healeys were everyday transport, owners learned to use the quieter months for bigger jobs. Today, whether you’ve lived with these cars since new or you’re just discovering their charms, the appeal is the same: give the car proper attention now, and enjoy the confidence of a sorted system when the roads call again in spring.

1950s AA patrolman assisting stranded motorist beside vintage Austin car on sunny English country road, illustrated in mid-century commercial art style.

And if something went wrong? Well, there was always the AA patrolman with his satchel of tools and a reassuring nod, ready to get you moving again.

Today, the scene might look tidier, the tools shinier, and the lighting better, but the feeling hasn’t changed. Whether you’ve owned your Healey for decades or you’re just starting your journey, autumn still offers the same quiet invitation: take the time now to put things right, and spring will reward you with miles of worry-free motoring.

Austin Healey rear brake disc conversion kit

CapeSport Kit: The Detail

This isn’t a box of odds and ends — it’s a complete system built with Healey geometry in mind.

Lightweight aluminium calipers — shave weight off the axle, giving suspension a break.
Durable brackets — engineered for accuracy; no shims and prayers needed.
Advanced pads — balanced bite without fuss.
Cable-operated handbrake linkage — neat integration; no losing the lever.
Hardware & instructions included — it’s all there, laid out logically.

Order Your Conversion Kit Today

Golden hour illustration of a red Austin-Healey 3000 parked on an English country driveway, low-angle cinematic view with autumn sunset sky and classic car owner in silhouette.

Why Autumn Is the Smart Time

Workshop rhythm: fewer shows, more evenings in the garage.
Planning ahead: get the bigger jobs done before salt hits the roads.
Test window: bed new components in while traffic is lighter and weather still tolerable.

There’s a quiet satisfaction that comes when the spanners are put away, the kettle’s cooling, and the Healey sits gleaming under a fading autumn sky. You stand back, wipe your hands on an old rag, and know the brakes are ready — not just for the next test drive, but for the miles to come in spring. It’s these moments, equal parts pride and peace of mind, that make the workshop hours worthwhile.

Complete the Package: Front Discs

If you’re going to strip the system anyway, it makes sense to tackle both ends. Matching the rear conversion with a front disc brake conversion keeps the car balanced and predictable. It also saves you repeating the bleeding and adjustment later.

Explore Front Disc Brake Conversion Kits

Ready for the Miles Ahead

There’s nothing quite like finishing a job properly. The garage is quiet, the tools are back in their place, and the Healey sits there — a little more sorted than it was a few hours ago. Come spring, you’ll turn the key knowing the brakes are sharp, balanced, and ready for the road ahead.

Fit Rear Discs & Drive with Confidence Complete the Package with Front Discs

FAQs

Does this fit all BN1 cars?

No. Only late BN1 (from chassis 221536 onwards) with 5-stud axles, up to BJ8.

Wire wheels or steel wheels — does it matter?

No. Both are compatible, but check clearance if running non-standard wheels.

Do I need a proportioning valve?

Most road cars won’t. Test the balance; if rears lock early, a valve can be fitted by a professional.

Is pedal pumping needed to bleed?

No. Pressure bleeding is best, as it avoids stressing old seals and makes the job cleaner. A simple tool like the Gunson Eezibleed Kit lets one person bleed the system quickly and consistently.

How long will fitting take?

Depends on condition and prior mods. Allow time for inspection and tidying as you go.

What’s the right bedding-in approach?

Progressive stops from low/medium speed, avoiding heavy braking for 200–300 miles.

When the Nights Draw In: Healey Brakes Done Right