1955 Austin-Healey 100 Modified to M Specification

Lot details
Registration No: PGU 171
Chassis No: BN1159517
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Ex-BMC press car, ex-Bamford Collection, Heritage Certificate

- Conversion to M-Spec by Denis Welch, restored by Wheeler & Davies c.1988

- Engine overhaul 2015, original registration, previous concours winner

Built in July 1954, PGU 171 was dispatched to Car Mart in London and, according to notes in the accompanying history file, retained by BMC as a press car up until 1957 during which time some 5,000 miles were covered. In 1957 it was purchased for a discounted £700 by Peter Wilkins, an employee in the Export Department, who owned it for ten years in which time he covered some 100,000 miles. During his ownership he competed in a number of sporting events including a 1961 BSCC race at Silverstone and a 2nd place finish in the 1960 Oxford Police Safety Rally.

Passing through a number of subsequent owners who are listed in the history file, it was then subject of a body restoration by Austin-Healey specialists Wheeler & Davies of Nuneaton and mechanical overhaul and conversion to M-Specification by none other than Denis Welch around 1987/88. The body restoration included the fitment of aluminium doors and wings, the front and rear shrouds being retained. The car was shown at the 1987 Classic Car Show at Alexandra Palace taking 2nd prize. A further 2nd place award was achieved in the Modified Big Healey Class at the 1989 Healey Weekend before PGU 171 was acquired by the Bamford Collection. A period of residency in Italy followed from around 2005 where the engine was overhauled in 2015. Recently re-imported to the UK, the original registration number has now been re-allocated by DVLA.

Finished in Green / Cream with Cream interior and Green carpet, this original UK market Healey is described as having "very good" bodywork, paintwork, engine, transmission and interior. It is accompanied by a good history file including a Heritage Certificate, assorted invoices relating to its previous restoration, correspondence regarding its history, a number of expired MoTs and Swansea V5c.

PLEASE NOTE: The vendor informs us that recent work includes checking and adjusting the rear brakes, a complete overhaul of the front brakes with new brake cylinders, brake linings, truing and skimming the drums, as well as a new master cylinder, and horn indicator assembly.

PLEASE NOTE: The Vendor advises the car was prepared and entered for last year's Mille Miglia. However, due to the ill health of the co-driver, it unfortunately did not start.