Lot details Registration No: KFY 638 Chassis No: BN1219025 Mot Expiry: Feb 2012
Donald Healey's eponymous company built a prototype two-seater sports car for display at the 1952 London Motor Show. It was based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals and sported a sleek body designed by Gerry Coker and built by Tickford. It was dubbed the `Healey Hundred' (a moniker chosen to reflect the car's ability to reach 100mph), and Healey planned to build production versions at his factory in Warwick. As things transpired, the prototype impressed the public and so excited Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, that he agreed to build the car in volume at Longbridge. The newcomer was renamed the Austin Healey 100. The rest is history. The production bodyshells were made by Jensen and then transported to Longbridge where the cars were assembled alongside the A90. The early cars (code named BN1s) were equipped with the same 90bhp 2660cc engines and manual four-speed transmissions as the A90 though, in an unusual move, Austin modified the gearbox so it operated as a three-speed unit with overdrive on the top two ratios. The car had 11-inch drum brakes all round. The front suspension was independent by coil springs while the rear featured a traditional live axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. The steering was by cam and lever.
Beginning life as an original UK, right-hand drive specification BN1 model, `KFY 638' has since been upgraded in the style of a 100M. This revised form includes: aluminium body panels, louvred bonnet, front disc brakes, competition exhaust and airbox. It was fitted with a refurbished engine in 1989, which was further restored by Murray Scott-Nelson in 1994. An overhauled gearbox and overdrive unit were installed in 2002. Unused since last year, this tastefully modified `Big Healey' comes complete with full weather equipment, original steering wheel, Heritage Certificate and detailed history file, plus a new MOT.
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