Description
Here we have a stunning Healey handsomely specified with all the toys you might expect to be fitted to a Healey specialists personal car. Presented with a degree of added menace de-bumpered and with a great sporting aesthetic this early two-seater has performance comfortably exceeding the late MkIII cars whilst also added further practicality. A highly usable road-trip ready example and one of just over 100 UK RHD two-seater cars.
MSV 500 was rebuilt by renowned marque specialists Denis Welch Motorsport and sold to Andrew Usher, a well-known campaigner of racing Healeys in the early 1980s. It incorporates all of the most desirable Welch performance upgrades for a 100/ 6, including a lightweight aluminium body (with steel bonnet). ‘MSV 500’ was sold by Denis Welch to his brother-in-law (the previous owner) in 1986 and for the next 26 years was continuously upgraded and maintained by Denis Welch.
Incorporating a 3-litre cylinder block, the engine has been built to Stage 3 ‘fast road’ specification. The latter includes a blueprinted, lightened and balanced flywheel, gas-flowed cylinder head, forged pistons, fully balanced internals, MkIII 2? carburettors; Welch inlet and exhaust manifolds, high-flow oversize core aluminium radiator, Rawles Motorsport sided exhaust, ITG competition air filter, fully baffled works-type sump, competition clutch,, electric fuel pumps; side-exit competition exhaust, spin-on oil filter, and Kenlowe electric fan with manual override. The engine produces an estimated 175-185bhp at the flywheel, which combined with the lightweight body makes for a car with breathtaking performance. To support the performance ultra-grippy Avon ZZ tyres are fitted with upgraded front disc brakes.
The car looks absolutely stunning in its Lobelia Blue livery with white number-roundels, the ‘MSV 500’ numberplate and trim in blue leather. The car is also fitted with the rare, yet extremely comfortable, 100S bucket seats. These also greatly lower the driver and recline the upper body making for a much more modern and sporty driving position . This Austin-Healey also boasts a new soft-top in blue mohair and is fitted with a period-correct aftermarket hardtop.
