1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 'M'-Spec
Entered from The Loch Lomond Collection

Registration No: 632 YUP
Chassis No: BN1L158357
MOT: Exempt

• Comprehensively restored and uprated to 'M'-specification to the cost of some £77,000
• Purchased into the collection in 2018 for some £63,000
• Offered with a large history file including over 200 photographs of the restoration
• Entered from The Loch Lomond Collection, made up of excellent examples of predominantly 1950s, '60s, and '70s classics

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, although 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).

Chassis BN1-L/158357 was built on the 29^th of June 1954 and was made to export specification in left-hand drive, being distributed new to the Austin Motor Company of North America for supply to the United States of America. Finished from the factory in Spruce Green paintwork, the 100/4 was specified with the factory-fitted equipment of wire wheels, twelve-volt electrics, SU H4 carburettors, and 590 x 15 tyres. Residing in America until 2012, the Healey was thereafter repatriated to the United Kingdom from the State of California by the first British keeper, seemingly complete but requiring restoration. Lavished with an extensive restoration subsequently by that owner, the Austin-Healey was provided with a total expenditure throughout the restoration of approximately £77,000, with significant numbers of invoices on file for the works completed.

Stripped down to a bare shell with panels replaced as necessary and a complete repaint provided by specialists Bexon Auto Classics. The engine was fully overhauled by marque expert Richard Parker of Denis Welch fame with very close tolerances and all the components were balanced, the flywheel lightened, the crank enhanced for a rear oil seal, and utilising of an alloy cylinder head, alloy sum, Le Mans pistons, a Vernier cam sprocket and flexy oil pick-up pipe. The engine also received 123 electronic ignition, an alternator, a re-cored radiator, a retro-fitted Kenlowe fan, and new high-power starter motor, with the gearbox also reconditioned and a new overdrive also fitted.

Disc brakes are fitted on the front, and a brand new Healey 3000 steering box is supplied to improve handling. The remainder of the mechanical restoration was completed by Healey aficionado Gerald Stevenson, with the car completed and returned to the road in 2017. Very shortly afterwards (in 2018) purchased into The Loch Lomond Collection for some £63,000; the collection is made up of excellent examples of predominantly 1950s, 60s, and 70s classics. Completing the Scottish Malts Rally while in the vendor's collection, the Healey has seen minimal other mileage while in the collection and still displays just 1,500 post-restoration miles on the odometer and therefore, a degree of recommissioning might be required before pressing into road use therefore.

Offered with a large history file which includes the BMIHT Heritage Certificate, the aforementioned extensive invoices, previous MOTs, shipping documents, a current V5C document and over 200 photographs documenting the exhaustive restoration, it is further accompanied by a Black soft-top, side screens, tonneau cover, spare wheel, and toolkit. Healey 100s to 'M' specification are highly desirable examples of the iconic ‘Big Healey’ and with this example having covered minimal mileage since the complete restoration, it is surely one to consider for anyone in the market for a Healey!

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452