1954 Austin-Healey 100

Registration No: 540 XUH
Chassis No: BN1-L/220024
MOT: Exempt

• Resident in America for most of its life prior to being extensively restored by the vendor and returned to road use during 2008
• Finished in the classic combination of Old English White with Black upholstery
• Weslake patent cylinder head, manual gearbox plus overdrive
• Matching chassis and engine numbers

Among the best looking and most iconic British sports cars ever made, the Big Healey evolved from a raw two-seater Roadster with fold-flat windscreen through to a more civilised 2+2-seater Convertible with wind-up windows. Debuting in 1953, the earliest four-cylinder BN1 version boasted a top speed well in excess of its ‘100’ moniker.

According to its accompanying British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, chassis BN1-L/220024 was built to left-hand drive, North American specification on 5^th October 1954. Thought to have been repatriated by Mr S Ridgeway some forty-five years later (on the basis that he applied for the Heritage Certificate) the Austin-Healey was substantially complete but needed restoration. Appearing to pleasingly retain its original powerplant (number 1B/220024) and to have been resident in one of the USA’s more car friendly states, the 100 nevertheless took the vendor approximately two years to refurbish (2006-2008). Aided by a friend who races Austin-Healey Sprites, the engine, three-speed manual plus overdrive gearbox and back axle were all checked over and deemed sound. The chassis and body were renovated with particular attention being paid to panel gaps before being repainted in Old English White. The interior was re-trimmed in Black leather with matching carpets and soft-top. Parts were sourced from the likes of AH Spares Ltd and A Head 4 Healeys Ltd including new instruments and a second-hand windscreen surround (the latter costing £822.50 alone). The exhaust was renewed, and the car rewired throughout. New chrome wire wheels were fitted and shod with Fulda tyres. Starting readily upon inspection, ‘540 XUH’ is described by the vendor as being in ‘good, all-round condition’. Though, he notes that the windscreen is cracked and reversing is aided by holding the gear lever in place. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, original workshop manual, Heritage Certificate and assorted invoices / old MOTs.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737