Descrição
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am
Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR
1954 Austin-Healey 100/ 4
Estimate £38, 000 - £45, 000
Registration No: GWH 497
Chassis No: BN1-155273
MOT: Exempt
Finished in Red complemented by a Black leather interior
1 of just c. 1, 030 right-hand drive examples made
Subject to an older comprehensive restoration with a full repaint in 2010
Various upgrades including 4-speed with overdrive gearbox, front disc brakes & fast road cylinder head
Large history file including lots of invoices & the original buff log book
Donald Healey’s prototype two-seater sports car displayed at the 1952 London Motor Show was based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals with a sleek body designed by Gerry Coker and built by Tickford. Dubbed the 'Healey Hundred' (chosen to reflect the car's ability to reach the magic 100mph), there was a suitably encouraging response and Healey planned to produce it in-house at his Warwick factory. As things transpired, not only did the Ice Blue prototype impress the public, but also Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, who struck a deal to build the car in volume at Longbridge. The early examples (code-named BN1s) were equipped with the same 90bhp 2660cc engines and manual four-speed transmissions as the A90 though Austin modified the gearbox to operate as a three-speed unit with overdrive on the top two ratios. A 1953 BN1 tested by Motor magazine hit 106mph and achieved 0-60mph in 11. 2 seconds. A total of 10, 688 BN1s are believed to have been produced between 1953 and 1955 (the vast majority of which went overseas) with only c. 1, 030 believed to be in right-hand drive form before the model was superseded by the BN2.
This original Home Market 100/ 4 was supplied new in May 1954 to its first owner in Bolton, Lancs. With relatively few owners since, its fourth, and long-term keeper (who retained it from 1987 to c. 2015) undertook a comprehensive restoration between 1987 and 1992. In 2010 a full repaint was carried out and in the years since the following upgrades installed; 4 speed overdrive gearbox and hydraulic clutch, larger SU carburettors, alloy unleaded fast road cylinder head and front disc brakes. Following a period of inactivity the car was acquired by the current owner some four years ago. Presented to the market with no known faults, this desirably upgraded Healey comes with a detailed history file including numerous invoices, detailed owners notes and original buff logbook.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
