1954 Austin-Healey 100/4

Registration No: GWH 497
Chassis No: BN1-155273
MOT: Exempt

• Finished in 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 a full repaint in 2010
• Various upgrades including 4-speed with overdrive gearbox, front disc brakes & fast road cylinder head
• Large history file including lots of invoices & the original buff log book

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vast majority of which went overseas) with only c.1,030 believed to be in right-hand drive form before the model was superseded by the BN2.

This original Home Market 100/4 was supplied new in May 1954 to its first owner in Bolton, Lancs. With relatively few owners since, its fourth, and long-term keeper (who retained it from 1987 to c.2015) undertook a comprehensive restoration between 1987 and 1992. In 2010 a full repaint was carried out and in the years since the following upgrades installed; 4 speed overdrive gearbox and hydraulic clutch, larger SU carburettors, alloy unleaded fast road cylinder head and front disc brakes. Following a period of inactivity the car was acquired by the current owner some four years ago. Presented to the market with no known faults, this desirably upgraded Healey comes with a detailed history file including numerous invoices, detailed owners notes and original buff logbook.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584 760