Another Helping Hand by Roger

Close-up of Burgess Air Filter plaque for Austin Healey 100, showing original Hinckley lettering and period satin-black finish.

The Smallest Part That Tells the Biggest Story

If you’ve ever stood at a show and watched people peer into a Healey 100’s engine bay, you’ll know what happens next. The die-hards go quiet. They scan the carbs, the linkages, the plug leads… and then, just for a heartbeat, they hesitate. Something’s missing — a subtle but crucial detail that gives a Healey its unmistakable factory look.

That missing piece? A humble round of aluminium barely bigger than a half-crown piece — or, for modern comparison, about the size of a £2 coin: the Burgess Air Filter Plaque.

Recreated today using an original Burgess plaque supplied by Roger Moment, this small badge restores the finishing touch that most restorations lost decades ago.

Reproduction Burgess Air Filter plaque for Austin Healey BN1 and BN2 models, precision printed aluminium with white lettering.

A Brief History of Burgess — the Name Behind the Filters

Before the Healey name became legend, Burgess Products Co. Ltd. of Hinckley, Leicestershire, England was already known for its expertise in silencers and wet-type air cleaners. Established in the early 20th century, Burgess supplied exhausts and filtration systems to much of the British motor industry, including Austin, Morris, and Standard-Triumph.

When Donald Healey’s team developed the 100, they needed a compact dual-filter setup for the twin SU H4 carburettors. Burgess supplied the answer — a pair of perforated steel housings finished in the original Burgess green-grey industrial enamel, a subtle metallic shade that appears grey in daylight and slightly olive under garage lighting. Each carried a circular aluminium plaque proudly marked:

BURGESS HINCKLEY — WET TYPE AIR FILTER — ENGLAND.

Functional, purposeful, and unmistakably British.

Fast-forward seventy years and most originals are long gone — victims of corrosion, polishing wheels, or over-enthusiastic restorers.

Finish Your BN1–BN2 Engine Bay the Right Way

Order the Burgess Plaque (FCM1482) Now

Front and rear Burgess air filters inside Austin Healey 100 BN1 engine bay showing correct green-grey enamel finish.

Period documentation and unrestored examples confirm this finish was a grey-green industrial enamel, not black.

  • Roger Moment, Factory-Correct Details for Austin-Healey 100s (AHCA Healey Marque, 2013 & 2017)
  • Bill Meade, Austin-Healey Concours Guidelines, 2018 Edition

Why This Reproduction Exists

Recreating a small metal disc sounds simple until you attempt it. Surviving examples are faded, and photographs distort typefaces.

Using an original Burgess plaque supplied by Healey authority Roger Moment, accurate artwork was created directly from that factory sample — restoring the correct font weight, kerning, and radial spacing true to the 1950s original.

Side-by-side comparison of original and A H Spares reproduction Burgess Air Filter plaques for Austin Healey 100.
Original Burgess plaque (left) compared with A H Spares’ accurate reproduction (right).

It isn’t a sticker. It’s a precision-printed aluminium plate, designed to sit beneath the filter’s central bolt exactly as it did in period.

Another helping hand by Roger

Fast Facts: What You're Getting
Feature Detail
Material Aluminium plaque printed to period Burgess layout
Finish Satin-black background with crisp white lettering
Fitment Austin Healey 100 (BN1) & 100M (BN2) — front and rear filters
Mounting Clamped beneath the central air-filter bolt
Quantity Two required per car (one front, one rear)
Source Artwork verified by Roger Moment
Austin Healey 100 BN1 engine bay with twin SU carburettors and restored Burgess air filters fitted with plaques.

The Right Detail in the Right Place

Pop the bonnet on a BN1 or BN2 and you’ll see the twin Burgess filters perched above the 2.6-litre four-cylinder. Each should wear its plaque like a medal — perfectly centred, lettering level, metal glinting under the bonnet light.

It’s a small but telling gesture: a car restored by someone who understands the difference between “restored” and “finished.”

Macro view of Burgess Air Filter plaque showing ENGLAND marking and embossed lettering detail for Austin Healey 100.

What Makes This Plaque Different

Plenty of copies exist, few get it right. Some are foil, some laser-etched, others use modern fonts that jar instantly.

This version corrects everything — from the spacing between BURGESS and HINCKLEY to the slight offset of ENGLAND below centre. Even the curvature of the words around the edge has been redrawn to match factory references.

The lettering has tangible relief, catching light just as it did in the 1950s. It passes the “two-foot test” every time.

Roger and Lilly Moment with Austin Healey 100 BN1, renowned for research on factory-correct Healey restoration details.

A Nod to Roger Moment and the Healey Community

Research from Roger Moment, the authority on Austin-Healey factory detail, confirmed three key points reflected in this plaque:

  • Both filters carried identical plaques.
  • They were aluminium, not foil or brass.
  • They were clamped by the central bolt, never riveted or glued.

This reproduction exists thanks to that scholarship and to the community that values such precision.

Collaboration and Continuous Research

At A H Spares, accuracy doesn’t happen by accident. We continue to work closely with respected industry experts, historians, and marque specialists to ensure every reproduction part — from plaques to panels — aligns with verified factory specifications.

It’s this ongoing collaboration with people like Roger Moment that keeps these historic cars faithful to the standards they were built to.

Cutaway view of Austin Healey 100 Burgess air filter assembly showing internal paper element and aluminium plaque.

The Right Plaque for the Right Filters

To complete the correct Burgess setup on your Healey 100:

Each filter takes one plaque. Two per car keeps the symmetry — and the judges happy.

Why Tiny Details Matter

Modern restorers enjoy better paints and tools, but authenticity still hinges on observation. Anyone can rebuild; few can replicate intent.

That’s what this plaque represents — understanding how the car left Longbridge and honouring that moment.

When it’s fitted, the engine bay simply feels right.

Buy the Burgess Air Filter Plaque (FCM1482) Today

Order Now

Frequently Asked Questions

How many plaques do I need for my Healey 100?

Two—one for the front filter and one for the rear on BN1 and BN2 models.

Will this fit later six-cylinder Healeys?

No. This plaque is for 4-cylinder BN1–BN2 cars with Burgess filters; BN4–BJ8 used different intake systems.

How is the plaque attached—glue, rivets, or bolt?

The plaque is clamped by the filter’s central bolt, just as in period. No adhesive or rivets are required.

Which filter has the breather pipe—front or rear?

The front filter has the breather outlet; the rear filter does not. Each uses one plaque.

Is the plaque aluminium, and what is the finish?

Yes, it’s aluminium with a satin-black background and crisp white lettering to match the period layout.

Does this include fixing hardware or gaskets?

No extra hardware is needed—the existing central bolt secures it. Gaskets are part of the filter assembly, not the plaque.

Will the plaque fit reproduction filters?

Yes. It fits correctly on quality reproduction Burgess-type housings such as the BN1–BN2 front and rear filters listed on this site.

Is there a “right way up” when fitting the plaque?

Yes. Align the text horizontally when the filter is installed. Check alignment before final tightening to avoid a tilted appearance.

Can I use adhesive to stop the plaque rotating?

It shouldn’t be necessary. If your bolt washer is worn, replace it; a light paper shim under the washer can add friction without using glue.

How do I clean the plaque without damaging the print?

Use a soft cloth with mild soapy water. Avoid solvents, metal polish, or abrasives that can dull the print.

What if my original plaques differ slightly from this layout?

Minor variations existed. This reproduction follows a verified O.E. sample; spacing and letter weight are based on that factory reference.

Where can I find matching filters and elements?
British Motor Heritage logo range