Description
The joint venture between Austin (then part of BMC) and the Healey Motor Company was established in 1952, as a result of Leonard Lord (Austin) seeking a replacement for the not entirely successful Austin A90 sports convertible. Impressed with an earlier prototype Healey sports car, the Austin-Healey 100 was born in 1953, using the A90 mechanicals allied to swoopy bodywork built by Jensen. Sporting performance was ample, the car getting its ‘100’ moniker from its ready ability to reach 100mph. The ‘Big Healey’ was born and its future secured with competition successes.
In 1956, a new 6-cylinder engine (of the same 2. 6 litre displacement) replaced the A90-derived 4-cylinder engine and brought more power together with a slightly revised chassis and appearance. This was then superseded in 1959 by the 3000 model, with a larger 3 litre engine providing more power and disc brakes at the front to slow things down. The 3000 remained in production until late 1967, benefitting from upgrades and improvements along the way – there being three recognised ‘Marks’ of the model.
The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust have confirmed that this BN1 car was built in June 1955 as a Left Hand Drive, North American market export model, finished in Carmine Red with Black trim. We have nothing of its US history until 1989, when we know it was in the hands of a Seattle, Washington owner with 11, 912 miles recorded. It was exported back to the UK that same year and we lose exact history again for a couple of years until 1997, when the then (Bristol–based) owner completed a 3 year restoration exercise. This was a ground up rebuild – the car was converted to RHD; bodywork repairs were carried out at New Station Bodyworks, Bristol and the engine was rebuilt by Healey specialist, John Chatham. The car was fully repainted, rewired and re-trimmed. It was UK-registered for the road in February ’97.
In late 2001 the Healey passed to a new registered owner – Yate Garages Ltd, Bristol and in November of that year, the car featured in a Classic & Sports Car magazine article, where it was track-tested by John Surtees (along with several other classic British sports cars) and the owner was listed as John Chatham - the Healey specialist who had earlier rebuilt the engine.
In February 2003, the car was sold at auction and moved to the Isle of Wight for the Summer, before being purchased by a new Jersey based owner. The Healey was used in local (Jersey) motorsport events – hillclimbs etc. - for a while and not Jersey registered until September 2012. It found another local owner in July 2015 (with 15, 100 miles recorded) and a further keeper in 2018, who has now chosen to relinquish ownership.
This Healey has received some upgrades taking it beyond the basic BN1 specification. As part of the ‘90s restoration, the engine rebuild carried out by Healey guru John Chatham was to ‘fast road’ spec based on the official ‘M’ conversion, available from the factory back in the day. This included bigger carburetors, a cold air box, a high-performance cam and 8. 1:1 compression ratio pistons and was claimed to provide a substantial power increase. In the November 2001 Classic & Sports Car article, the Healey is actually listed as a “100M” model. Additionally, in 2010, the car had the gearbox replaced by Healey specialist Rawles Motorsport and now runs a 4-speed BN4 gearbox with overdrive (rather than the original 3-speeder + overdrive).
Still looking smart from the 90s restoration work, the Carmine Red paintwork remains in very good condition and the chassis is solid with a pleasingly clean underside to the car. The brightwork is also in excellent condition and both front and rear bumpers are provided with the Healey. Supplied with full weather equipment (hood and sidescreens) together with the tonneau pictured.
As with the bodywork, the re-trimmed interior remains in very good condition. The car is equipped with a heater and a wood-rimmed Moto Lita steering wheel has been fitted.
This is a very well presented and mechanically sound example of the first model of the ‘Big Healey’, which has been enhanced with some period-appropriate performance upgrades to produce an excellent driver’s car. Not knowing the early history of the vehicle, we cannot confirm the overall mileage recorded but can say it has had carefully limited use since its return to this side of the Atlantic.
Together with the supporting BMIHT certificate and a copy of the Classic & Sports Car magazine article from 2001, the car is provided with an original Owners Handbook, Service Manual and Workshop Manual.
The car is currently Jersey registered and the 4-digit registration number pictured is not included in the asking price. We can assist with (international) shipping and importation processes if required.
