1955 Austin-Healey 100/4

Registration No: 184 UYN
Chassis No: BN1224335
MOT: Exempt

• An original RHD example exported Australia and subsequently sold to New Zealand
• Finished in Carmine Red complemented by a Black leather interior
• 1 of just c.1,030 right-hand drive examples made
• Subject to an older comprehensive restoration with photographic record

• Current ownership since 2017

An original right-hand drive car, this BN1 was exported new to Australia and subsequently sold to New Zealand. Specified with MPH speedometer and wire wheels, it is one of just 1,030 RHD examples built. Finished in its original shade of Carmine Red with black interior, the car is understood to have been subject to a comprehensive older restoration and comes with a photographic record. Imported to the UK in 2015, this attractive Healey has been with the vendor since 2017. With working overdrive, the car is offered with sundry hand written notes on maintenance, a large collection of invoices, BMIHT Certificate, 1960 New Zealand registration document, tonneau cover and weather equipment.

Donald Healey’s prototype two-seater sports car displayed at the 1952 London Motor Show was based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals with a sleek body designed by Gerry Coker and built by Tickford. Dubbed the 'Healey Hundred' (chosen to reflect the car's ability to reach the magic 100mph), there was a suitably encouraging response and Healey planned to produce it in-house at his Warwick factory. As things transpired, not only did the Ice Blue prototype impress the public, but also Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, who struck a deal to build the car in volume at Longbridge. The early examples (code-named BN1s) were equipped with the same 90bhp 2660cc engines and manual four-speed transmissions as the A90 though Austin modified the gearbox to operate as a three-speed unit with overdrive on the top two ratios. A 1953 BN1 tested by Motor magazine hit 106mph and achieved 0-60mph in 11.2 seconds. A total of 10,688 BN1s are believed to have been produced between 1953 and 1955 (the vast majority of which went overseas) with only c.1,030 believed to be in right-hand drive form before the model was superseded by the BN2.

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For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760