Description
This car is Lot 134 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Goodwood Auction on Saturday September 13th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Friday September 12 from 09:00 until 17:00, Saturday September 13 from 09:00 at The Goodwood Revival.
Lot 134
Period Goodwood history, raced by Tony Brooks
1950 Healey Silverstone
Registration no. BRJ 123
Chassis no. E80
Occasionally raced in period by Tony Brooks
In-period competition history at Goodwood and Silverstone
Present ownership since 1996
Goodwood Revival and Members' Meeting participant
The Donald Healey Motor company completed its first car in 1945, going into full-time production the following year. The firm's first offering was a 2. 4-litre Riley-powered sports saloon with welded-up chassis and Healey's own trailing arm independent front suspension. For the clubman racer there was the dual-purpose Silverstone, a model equally at home on road or track. The saloon's engine and basic underpinnings were retained, though with shorter frame, stiffer springing and - unusually for the time - a front anti-roll bar. The lightweight two-seater body was crafted in aluminium, and the car's purposeful look was enhanced by cycle wings and closely spaced headlamps mounted behind the radiator grille. Another unusual feature was the spare wheel protruding from its compartment in the tail, thus doubling as a bumper! The Silverstone was soon making a name for itself in rallying and circuit racing, with many future stars gaining their first track experience in the car, most notably Tony Brooks. In all, 104 Silverstones were built between 1949 and 1951.
The Motor, when it announced and featured the model in July 1949, described the Silverstone as a 'light competition-type two-seater to sell at the basic price of £975' while observing that 'weighing only 18. 5cwt, the new Healey offers improved performance for competition work, yet remains entirely suitable for normal road use'.
Healey Silverstone 'ERJ 123' was owned by Mr Dudley Hely of West Wickham, Kent from 1951 to 1956 having been owned by one E Reed in 1950. Mr Hely came from a wealthy family and they owned various cars, including the Healey Silverstone, a Fraser Nash and various Bentleys. Future Formula 1 star Tony Brooks was a friend of the Hely family and was racing his own Silverstone at this time. In a letter to our vendor, Tony recalls that he also drove Dudley Hely's Silverstone in a couple of races in 1953, it being a better prepared car than his one. Dudley's family also let Brooks race their Fraser Nash, which resulted in a works drive with Fraser Nash and the start of a glittering career.
'ERJ 123' competed in many club races and hill climbs from 1951 until May 1956 when Dudley Hely unfortunately suffered an accident in the car while returning home from Silverstone Circuit. Dudley survived the accident but died a week later from his injuries. The Healey was not badly damaged, but the family did not want the car around and it was returned to the factory to be used for spares; however, they decided to sell the car for salvage. The original letter from the factory confirming this is on file.
The racingsportscars. com web site lists 14 races for Dudley Hely and 'E80' between 17th May 1952 and 14th April 1956. All these races were at either Goodwood or Silverstone, the highlights being two 2nd places, one each at Goodwood and Silverstone in May 1953, and a win at Silverstone in September 1952.
Following its return to the factory the Silverstone was sold to a Mr Ben Cox, who had raced another Silverstone in period. Ben Cox removed the engine and installed this in his other Silverstone, 'VMF 209', and the rest of the car was then passed on to Mr Jonathan Bowers, who formed the Association of Healey Owners. Mr Bowers then stored the car until his death, and our vendor purchased it from his estate in 1996.
The Healey was not badly damaged but it had been off the road for many years and required a full restoration. Fitted with a replacement 2. 4-litre Riley engine, the car still has its original body, chassis, rear axle and front and rear suspension. Our vendor changed the colour from green to white, as this is a period colour and suits the car well. During the rebuild, the engine was converted from white metal bearings to a modern shell bearing that was on the big end and main bearing. Since acquiring the car the vendor has raced it in the Fordwater event at the Goodwood Revival in 2008 and VSCC Silverstone in April 2009. The Healey has competed in three Goodwood Revivals and also the Goodwood Members Meeting, and is said to be great fun to drive both on the track and on the roads.
The Healey comes complete with a comprehensive file of receipts recording all money spent on its restoration; original tax discs from 1951 through to 1955; and two albums of period photographs with the lap times and dates of each race competed in in the early years.
Some spares are offered with the car to include the original bench seat that was fitted to the E-Type Silverstone. There are also several trophies which the car won at Goodwood and Silverstone in period, and the package also includes FIA papers which expire on 31st December 2032.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
