9th Apr, 2025 12:00

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
  Lot 25
 

1954 Austin-Healey 100/4

Estimated at £38,000 - £45,000

Lot details

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vast majority of which went overseas) with only c.1,030 believed to be in right-hand drive form before the model was superseded by the BN2.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

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 9th Apr, 2025

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars to be held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Venue Details 

To enquire about entering your classic or performance car into the auction please call our sales office on 01925 210035, email sales@HandH.co.uk or click here: Enter Your Classic Motorcar 

All our professional valuations are complimentary and without obligation.

To take part in the live online bidding please click 'Register to Bid | Sign In' at the top of the page, alternatively, bidding can take place via our auction partners at Saleroom.com Saleroom.com

 

VIEW THE CATALOGUE

 

Viewing

Tues 8th April from 1pm
Wed 9th April from 9am

View all lots in this sale

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


H&H’s Buxton auction boasts coveted classics to ‘peak’ the interest
Ten standout classics from one collection to be auctioned
Sir Elton John’s former Aston Martin among notable lots hammered away at Duxford auction
H&H’s first motorcycle auction of 2025 achieves impressive sales rate
Brough Superior’s among star lots heading to H&H Classics motorcycle and scooter auction
‘Unique’ Ferrari ‘Wide Body’ prances to Cambridgeshire auction
Rocket Man’s ride rocks up for auction
Rare opportunity to own popular TV presenter’s scooter
H&H Classics ‘Season Opener’ enjoys noteworthy results
Last bike ridden by Hairy Biker Dave Myers to be auctioned
Over 90 eye-catching lots head to auction in H&H’s ‘Season Opener’
New venue among H&H Classics’ 2025 auction dates
Over 1,100 classics worth more than £14 million sold by H&H Classics in 2024
H&H Classics rounds off 2024 with strong performance
Relive blockbuster TV show Rivals by owning a ‘racy’ classic
Buxton auction has single ownership, rare and desirable classics going under the hammer
Quality and quantity represented at mammoth classic motorcycle auction
Quadrophenia album scooter with links to Pete Townsend and Liam Gallagher up for auction
H&H Classics last Cambridgeshire auction in 2024 sees ‘star’ results
Ducati delight as six superb examples from one collection go under the hammer
German engineering and style showcased at classic car auction
Norton’s first F1R ever produced up for auction
Best of British heads impressive collection of 160 classics for auction
Exciting new premises are close to hand for H&H Classics
X-press yourself…Jaguar purchased by Madonna could be yours to cherish
Oldest known surviving Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) car heads to auction
James Bond’s Vanquish available to ‘Drive Another Day’
Chalky’s actual Lambretta which featured in Quadrophenia heads for auction
Automobilia auction raises more than £194,000 with all 329 lots sold
Entire catalogue offered without reserve in one-off automobilia auction
Impressive results at latest H&H Classics auction
Dozens of ‘no-reserve’ classics head to auction
Recently restored Audi Quattro press car heads to auction
Classic motorcycle auction highlights buoyant market
Rare barn find stars in classic motorcycle auction
Highly original Jaguar SS100 flies away at Duxford sale
Modified classics add a twist to H&H’s next motorcycle sale
Century of motoring history represented at H&H auction
World’s biggest production pick-up truck roars to auction
Mercedes-Benz 500SL delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss heads to auction
Cars from the 1910s to the 2010s head to auction for Buxton sale
H&H’s motorcycle sales off to a flying start in 2024 with market-leading 88 percent sales rate
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction