2016-06-05 00:05:31 | pauls writes:

Car was at auciton 3/16
classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php

Auction description:
Lot number 142
Hammer value £13,500
Description Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 'Coronet Cream'
Registration 589 UYJ
Year 1954
Colour Coronet Cream (originally)
Engine size 2,660 cc
Chassis No. BN1-L/153807
Engine No. 1B/206956
Documents V5C; Heritage Certificate; USA Certificate of Title; Customs clearance documents

This particular 100/4 is a rare limited edition 'Coronet Cream' model that was produced in the winter of 1953/54 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Exact production figures are unclear but estimates suggest between 300 and 600, virtually all of which were supplied to the USA market. As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this car was made right at the end of the run in March 1954 and was a LHD North American Export model with Coronet Cream paintwork and a red interior.

Not much is known of the subsequent history of the car but documents on file show that by 1971 it was with a Peter Hubbell of Ithaca, New York, and by 1974 with Edward McComb of the same city. It was imported to the UK by the vendor in April 2014 in order to fill a container that also contained an XK Jaguar - all duties have been paid and it now has a V5C with the registration number 589 UYJ.

As you can see, the car has been repainted in light blue metallic at some point and it now requires a full restoration. All important parts are present though no doubt a few minor trim items will be missing. Most importantly it still retains its original chassis, body, engine and overdrive gearbox, making it a 'matching numbers' machine.

With top examples of the BN1 now fetching in excess of £50k at auction, this rare limited edition Healey should amply reward the remedial works now required.

2024-04-04 07:17:03 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1954-austin-healey-bn1-8eNyWg

Auction:

1954 Austin Healey

Colour Beige

Odometer 85 Miles

Engine size 2660

Auction DetailsSeller Type Private

Town Hamm

Country Luxembourg

One of only 221 Coronet Cream cars in this specification 

Extensive bodywork and mechanical restoration 

Austin Healey Magazine May/June 2023 issue cover star

Controle Technique valid to October 2025 

Just 85 miles covered since refurbishment completed

This March 1954 car was one of the last of those built. Just 221 were finished in its fetching Coronet Cream with red interior. 

It has covered just 85 miles since a comprehensive, high-end restoration where carefully attention was paid to replicating that notable factory specification. The work covered the bodywork, a new AH Spares chassis, cabin retrim and mechanical overhaul with gearbox rebuild. The work was celebrated with a cover story feature in the May/June 2023 issue of Austin Healey Magazine. 

Supplied to market with a recent Luxembourg technical inspection, this is a stand-out example of Donald Healey’s masterpiece and one with a fascinating story.

History and Paperwork

Registered on 23rd March 1954

BMIHT certificate confirms factory specification 

Originally exported to North America when new 

One of the last of the Coronet Cream celebration cars to be registered

Vendor advises that just 221 cars of this colour combination were built 

A similar example with a blue interior is in the Netherlands’ Healey Museum 

Passed the technical inspection in Luxembourg in October 2023

The Controle Technique is valid to 4th October 2025 

The serial numbers are reported to match

Full restoration with only 85 miles travelled since completion 

Photographic record of restoration work 

Highlights of the recent restoration: 

Head pulled and valves relapped and new valve seals fitted

Cylinder walls checked and confirmed to be in good order

Gearbox disassembled and rebuilt with new gaskets and seals 

SU carburettors professionally rebuilt 

AH Spares replacement chassis 

Aluminium hood replaced with AH Spares part

Original aluminium boot refurbished and refitted

Chromework rechromed by high end specialist 

New wiring harness

Mostly original electrics 

Starter motor upgraded to desirable high torque unit 

Two new 6volt batteries fitted to factory specification 

Retrimmed interior with new seats, frames and rails in factory correct red 

Door cards retrimmed to correct BN1 specification 

New 48-spoke painted wire wheels 

New Dunlop 15in tyres fitted all round 

Refinished in very close match to original Coronet Cream colour scheme 

King pins replaced to delivery tight steering feel 

New black fabric roof with sidescreens

Stainless steel exhaust painted black to closely match factory specification 

The Condition

Very well kept freshly restored car in factory-correct colour scheme

Panel fit and attention to originality notable 

Complete photographic restoration with new AH-Spares chassis

Original metal preserved where possible

Original chrome pieces restored

New cloth-wrapped wiring harness fitted

Entire upholstery redone with real leather

New wheels and tyres fitted

New black hood and side curtains fitted

The quality of this car’s restoration is evident from the photographs. The rare Coronet Cream colour scheme is a refreshing alternative to the more common reds, whites, blacks and two-tone finishes of these stylish cars. 

Careful attention was paid during the restoration to replicating the factory colour tones. Where possible originality was also prioritised - including reusing the original aluminium boot lid - but where necessary new parts, largely supplied by AH Spares, were used. These included a new aluminium bonnet and chassis. The quality of the work is evident from the panel fit.

Elsewhere the brightwork has been rechromed by a high end specialist and the interior retrimmed, paying attention to the specific details of the early BN1 cars. 

With barely any use since completion it arrives with the buyer in virtually box-fresh restored condition. 

The Mechanics

Matching numbers engine and gearbox 

2,660cc 90bhp engine checked and partially rebuilt as detailed above 

Original rebuilt gearbox with three speed and factory overdrive system 

Engine reported to be in good mechanical order with matching numbers

Original SU carburettors rebuilt with SU parts

High-torque starter but electrics are otherwise factory-correct and original 

Two 6-volt tar top batteries as originally designed

Stainless steel exhaust painted matt black for original look

King-pins replaced to improve steering feel and response 

Has covered just 85 miles since high end restoration 

The restoration process also covered the car’s mechanicals, again prioritising originality. Thankfully it remains a matching numbers car. The engine was checked and assessed during restoration and found to only require partial work - which is detailed above - alongside rebuilding the SU carburettors. The 3spd gearbox has also been rebuilt. 

A long Controle Technique attests to the car’s condition and running.