2014-09-17 16:53:33 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 11/13
classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php

Auction description:
Lot number 66
Hammer value £20,200
Description Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1
Registration UUR 36
Year 1955
Colour Red
Engine size 2,660 cc
Chassis No. BN1-223112
Engine No. 1B223112M

First registered in Hertfordshire in July 1955, this particular Healey has been in the current ownership since 1980. Although it may look a little shabby it was in regular use by the owner and his daughter right up until 1996 when it was driven into storage.

Since then it has barely turned a wheel but just before our visit to take these photos the vendor put some fresh fuel in, connected up a battery and reports that it started easily and ran well with good oil pressure, although he does advise that there is no coolant in the engine because the water pump gasket has perished during storage and will need to be replaced before the engine is run for any length of time.

The front left wing has also recently been bent out of shape when two 'helpers' attempted to move the car by lifting on the wing with the result that it has bent upwards and caused a nasty panel gap between itself and the passenger door. However, a judicious bit of pressure may quite easily push it back into place.

Altogether a very straightforward restoration project that could be returned to the road with very little effort and gradually improved over time as desired.

2017-01-13 14:31:42 | Lofty writes:

I owned this car between about 1972- 1977. It was in a poor state and off the road when acquired and I restored it myself to a reasonable condition. Fond memories. I have a few photos.would love to hear from the current owner. Jonathan.

2021-09-14 10:56:52 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 9/21

www.carandclassic.co.uk/auctions/1955-austin-healey-1004-K8WBV4_campaign=Targeted%20%7C%20Tuesday%20Viewed%2FWatched%2FBid%20%20%7C% ...

Auction description:

1955

Make Austin Healey

Model 100/4

Colour Red

Odometer 387 Miles

Engine size 2660

Location Essex

Country United Kingdom

・Professional restoration 

・Restored to factory spec 

・Beautiful colour

・Low miles since rebuild

This car was restored by the current owner whose day job is restoring Rolls Royce’s and Bentleys. It has had every section stripped back, fixed and restored, given new hardware and lovingly put back together, it really is a nut and bolt build. 

It’s a UK car which is worth noting as many of the big Healey’s were apparently set for export, it’s also been kept in its standard factory spec according to its heritage certificate, which the owner tells me is also rare as many of these models are converted into the racing specs of the day. Seeing as the current owner specialises in body work, the engine work was carried out by ‘Orchard Restorations’ in East Sussex and the gearbox work was completed by Hardy Engineering.

This car is a factory right hand drive model which is again a bit special considering out of the 14,634 100’s that were made, only 850 were right hand drive. As previously mentioned, many of that number were exported to other countries, making this Austin Healey just that bit more of a rarity on the UK roads. 

The backstory before the restoration gets a little hazy as there wasn’t much spoken about the car before its restoration with us and the owner, but from the incredible condition it’s in now, we’d say it’s in even better form than from the factory due to modern work practices and restorative procedures.

The Paperwork: 

As previously mentioned, the paperwork for the Healey is not as comprehensive some might like, with every receipt and MOT certificate recorded, but that’s not really what this car is about. Saying that however, the current owner has done very well to track down what they can with a vehicle history from the DVLA and a British Motor Industry Heritage trust factory record of the production of this particular car. 

On the authenticity and paperwork front this should be more than enough to verify the legitimacy of this Healey, but the more sentimental history might be a bit more difficult to track down if you were inclined to de-shroud the details of who bought it and owned it before its rebirth.

The Interior:

The red leather interior is stunning, not too ‘in your face’ and just spot on for this car, unsure if it was a factory option or a special request, either way it’s a touch of genius for this make and model. 

The fit and finish is absolutely second to none as well, so much so that we didn’t want to touch it for fear of getting fingerprints on it. It really is amazing to see something restored so well, that when you sit in it and experience it, it transports you back to what it must have been like to drive it off the factory production line. Being a fully restored two-seater there isn’t much to the interior, the spectacular gloss black dash is a sublime design feature with its curve resembling a World War two fighter’s propeller and even the clocks giving the feeling of an aviation cockpit. 

The steering wheel, pedal box, gearstick, handbrake, overdrive, door pulls everything comes with a quality feel to it, almost as if it were a modern-day bespoke luxury take on the classic styling from the 50’s. The anodised aluminium trim (with body number stamped on the underside) framing the interior completes the ‘cockpit’ look whilst you gaze back over the black soft top, perfectly contrasting the paintwork.

The Exterior:

Talking of paintwork, this car must have been something to behold once it was finished, with the Carmine red and red interior standing out for miles against the green landscape of the British countryside. Having been cared for so expertly during its time with the current owner there is not a blemish, paint chip, scratch or dent to be spoken of, only a mirror-like finish perfectly accentuated by the silver of the aluminium trim and chrome work.

The 72 spoke alloys are just some of the brand-new parts for the exterior, along with new side screens, tonneau cover, hood and an aluminium fuel tank. The windscreen is in superb condition also, with the tilt mechanism working perfectly and giving the car its deserved sporty looks. 

The Chrome accents around the car really bring out the shine in the red paintwork and contrast the colour really nicely. The owner did mention some pitting on the surround for the front grille, which we have tried to show in the gallery, but it’s so minor, you’d be hard pushed to notice it.

The Mechanics: 

With the engine and gearbox both being professionally restored and looking amazing in their original shade of metallic green paintwork, you can bank on them living up to Donald Healey’s initial vision for the 100. Twin carbs and three speeds with overdrive sounds so delectably 50's-ish and we can confirm the noise this car makes whilst pootling down the backroads is just intoxicating; it would certainly encourage a heavy right foot. 

With the mechanics fully restored, the only thing left for the new owner to do is regular maintenance and to drive the car as it was designed, to ensure everything is flowing and working to the best of its ability (perfect excuse for taking the long way round then).