Lot details
Registration No: 465 UYN
Chassis No: BN6/2363
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Believed to be an original RHD car sold new in South Africa, and enjoyed by just one owner there until their passing

- Apparently bequeathed to his niece in Australia, the car was taken to that country and then traded for an MG

- Acquired in Australia by our vendor, he imported it into England in 2014 but sadly illness now dictates its sale

The Healey 100/4 was designed by Donald Healey's eponymous company, and assembled by Austin at Longbridge using Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals and bodies crafted by Jensen Motors. It had been the star of the 1952 London Motorshow and subsequently took the American market by storm too. For 1956, the wheelbase was lengthened, the bodywork facelifted and the four-cylinder engine replaced by BMC's six-cylinder C Series engine. Called the 100/6, it was initially available in 2+2 guise (BN4), with the two-seater (BN6) version like the sale car following in 1957.

Echoing the BMC rally cars, '465 UYN' is smartly presented with White factory hardtop and Red bodywork. Its interior though is rather smarter than that of the spartan competition machines and features Red-piped Black vinyl bucket seats, Red-edged Black carpets and wood-rimmed alloy steering wheel. A right-hand drive example, it was apparently a CKD model sold new in South Africa during 1957, where it remained in the same ownership until the gentleman passed away, at which point it was inherited by his niece. She took it to Australia, where it was exchanged for a V8-engined MG.

The vendor acquired the car in Australia and repatriated it in the December of 2014. Sadly, illness means he can no longer enjoy the Healey and he's now offering this very attractive car, complete with the bumpers and hood frame not currently fitted. In addition to the aforementioned extras, the Healey sports a pair of Lucas auxiliary lights, period driver's door mirror and rides on a set of chrome wire wheels. The vendor presently classifies its bodywork, interior trim and electrical equipment as 'excellent', the straight-six engine and paintwork as 'good to very good', and the four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive as 'good'. The odometer currently displays an unwarranted 37,166. An apparently very tidy example of a fast-appreciating British classic.