Lot details Registration No: 393 FMV Chassis No: BN1221536 Mot Expiry: Oct 2012
The early examples of the Healey 100/4 (code named BN1s) were equipped with the same 90bhp 2660cc engine and manual four-speed transmission as the A90 Atlantic, though Austin modified the Healey gearbox so it operated as a three-speed unit with overdrive on the top two ratios. The car had 11-inch drum brakes all round. The front suspension was independent by coil springs while the rear featured a traditional live axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. Damping was by Girling lever arm units all round and the steering was by cam and lever. A 1953 BN1 tested by Motor magazine returned a top speed of 106mph and achieved the 0-60mph dash in 11.2 seconds. A total of 10,688 BN1s are believed to have been produced between January 1953 and 1955 (though, the vast majority went overseas).
The 1955 example on offer is finished in Green over Cream and trimmed in Green leather. It is an original right-hand drive, home market car that is referred to in Bill Piggott's renowned Healey 100 book. '393 FMV' is understood to have been the subject of an extensive professional restoration between 1989 and 1994. The work reportedly included the refurbishment of the engine (with the unit removed from the car), bare metal welding and respray, and a full leather retrim; since when the car has only travelled 12,000 miles. It apparently benefits from a number of 100M-type modifications, including the larger 1.75 inch SU carburetters, cold air box, high-flow air filter and louvered bonnet with leather retaining strap. The vendor considers the Healey's paintwork to be "excellent", the bodywork and interior trim to be "very good", the engine to "run well" and the three-speed manual transmission to be "good". The BN1 is being sold complete with a copy of Piggott's book, a meaty file of invoices and receipts relating to the renovation, and an MOT valid into October.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle carries two chassis / ID plates. The first chassis / ID plate is mounted on the bulkhead and reads BN1 221536 (the same number which appears on the car's current V5C Registration Document and which seemingly relates to an Australian supplied right-hand drive example). The second chassis / ID plate is mounted in the driver's footwell and reads BN1 223280. The car's number plate - '393 FMV' - was issued by Middlesex County Council on 15th August 1955.
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