1954 Austin-Healey 100/4
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Highlights
- BN1 restoration project
- Early RHD original UK car
- Previously exported but ID proven by Heritage Certificate
- In need of complete refurbishment
THE APPEAL
The Austin-Healey 100 made its debut at the 1952 London Motor Show at Earl’s Court, having been developed off the running gear of an Austin A90 Atlantic by motorsport engineer Donald Healey at his workshops in Warwickshire.
Originally named the Healey Hundred, the design impressed Austin boss Leonard Lord, who was looking for a vehicle with which to take on the likes of Triumph and Jaguar in motorsport.
Lord struck a deal with Healey to build it in quantity; with bodies made by Jensen Motors in Castle Bromwich, which were then given Austin mechanical components at Austin's Longbridge factory down the road in Birmingham. The car was also renamed the Austin-Healey 100, the name being given because of the car's ability to reach 100mph.
Those early Healeys are now often referred to as the Healey 100/4 to differentiate between the early four-cylinder cars and the latest sixes which were officially known as the 100/6, while the very first ones are known as the BN1 series thanks to their chassis numbers.
The car we have here is an original right-hand-drive Healey 100 from the second year of production, making it a very collectible thing, but it’s a complete restoration project and will need a fair amount of expenditure to bring it up to anywhere near usable standard. However, it comes with a British Motor Heritage Certificate and is largely complete, with mostly salvageable bodywork.
You can turn it into anything you want it to be – ideal for a restoration project or historic competition car.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- Original RHD UK car
- Chassis number BN1/159305
- Supplied new vis the Henly’s dealership in Bristol
- Declared manufactured in June 1954
- Sourced from the USA via a Healey specialist and reimported to the UK
- All UK duties and VAT paid
- Will need to be registered with DVLA
- Finished vehicle should be tax and MOT exempt subject to works carried out
THE INTERIOR
- In need of complete restoration
- Original leatherette dash could be salvaged, but is torn to passenger side
- Dials and switchgear still present
- Three-spoke steering wheel with original centre, rim is split and cracked in places
- Original seat basis, but only the frames remain
- No carpets or interior fabrics at all
- Remnants of old roof frame still with car, could potentially be restored
- Alloy gearbox cover still survives in good order
THE EXTERIOR
- Complete restoration project
- All body panels present and correct
- Rust holes to bottom of both wings and door bottoms, but panels appear repairable
- Boot floor is holed
- Rust to bottom of both rear wings
- All upper body panels feature surface rust and levels of corrosion, but it would appear that much of the bodywork and trim is saveable and in surprisingly solid condition overall
- Chassis has some rust but also appears to be complete and entirely salvageable
- While not for the faint-hearted, this is a complete car and is repairable
THE MECHANICS
- 2,660cc four-cylinder
- Four-speed manual
- Original engine
- Hasn’t been started in many years
- Buyer should assume that the car will require a complete mechanical overhaul and that all steering, suspension and braking components would require replacement before the car is recommissioned
SUMMARY
Okay, so this is a restoration project and a fairly bold one at that. But it’s far from a basket case – a long way off, in fact. For starters, it’s all pretty much there bar the interior. Second, a lot of the bodywork and outer panels appear pretty much salvageable and all of the trim is there, too.
As both an original UK car and a BN1 chassis number, this is a Healey well worth returning to its former glory.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1954
- Make Austin Healey
- Model BN1
- Colour Red
- Odometer 25,278 Miles
- Engine size 2660
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Coventry
- Location West Midlands
- Country United Kingdom
64
bids
- ru•••• £25,750 24/05/23
- ia•••• £25,500 24/05/23
- ru•••• £25,250 24/05/23
- ia•••• £25,000 24/05/23
- ru•••• £24,950 24/05/23
- ia•••• £24,750 24/05/23
- ru•••• £24,500 24/05/23
- ia•••• £24,250 24/05/23
- ru•••• £24,000 24/05/23
- ia•••• £23,750 24/05/23
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