1953 AUSTIN HEALEY 100-4

- A very early Austin-Healey 100
- Just finished from nut and bolt restoration
- One of approximately 200 1953 examples left In existence
- Beautifully restored, an ideal touring example
- Remembered as one of the iconic British sports cars of the 1950s and 60s, and this is claimed to be the last properly made
- This rare early chassis number Healey 100 is eligible for some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events including the Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic and Tour Auto to name a few

One of the truly great sports cars of the 1950s, the Austin-Healey was a case of the right car at the right time. Having developed the original prototype for the 1952 London Motor Show, Donald Healey’s little company based in Warwick was unable to take advantage on the unprecedented reaction. Fortuitously, the boss of Austin, Leonard Lord, spotted the Healey and recognised its potential as an affordable rival to Triumph’s successful TR series. As a result, Austin and Healey made a deal to jointly produce and market the 100 under their combined names and a legend was born.

The stunning bodywork, designed by Gerry Coker, was made by Jensen Motors of West Bromwich, the chassis by Thompson Pressings and the cars assembled at Longbridge from March 1953 onwards.

The 100/4, as it was designated, utilized the Austin’s rugged 2.6-litre four-cylinder engine (first seen in the Atlantic), developing 90 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and plenty of torque, had hydraulic brakes front and rear along with well set-up suspension.

With a fold-flat windscreen, minimal creature comforts and plenty of urge, the Austin-Healey was the quintessential British sports car and continues to enjoy a massive following around the world.

The original two-seater BN1 remained in production until August 1955 and the vast majority of the 10,688 built were exported to the United States.

The earliest 100/4s are highly regarded by Healey enthusiasts for their purity of line and raw sports car driving experience somewhat diluted on the later six-cylinder models.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

The car offered here is a very early 100 that was built in 1953, and finished, as it is today, as a left-hand-drive model in Healey Blue and Blue interior.

The Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1 and BN2 Series cars are considered the “original” Austin-Healey. Between the 2 series, the main difference was the adoption of the 4speed gearbox with overdrive in the BN2 models.

The Austin-Healey offered more power than its MG contemporary and a lower price than the Jaguar, it is no surprise that production got underway quickly and ramped up to more than 100 cars per week.

Customers particularly loved the 1953 Austin-Healey 100-4 as an alternative to the Triumph TR2, Jaguar XK120 and Jaguar X140. During it’s production, more than 14500 Austin-Healey 100 units were built before the 100-4 was succeeded by the 100-6 late 1956.

This example is just one of approximately 200 1953 Examples Left Hand Drive in existence.

During its ownerships, the car was enthusiastically enjoyed and maintained, but with use comes wear and with age comes deterioration. A comprehensive restoration in Holland was promptly begun a few years ago, the car torn down to bare metal and refurbished. The restoration brought the car back to the condition it was when it was first purchased it.

Driven few miles since the completion of the restoration, the car remains in very beautiful condition inside and out.

This Healey is a lovely example and fitted with its original overdrive it makes it a very useable car indeed.

Personally we prefer the BN1 as the gear ratio is better as with a BN2. A personal choice off-course but the 1st. Gear in a BN1 is nicely long and with the overdrive the gearbox does exactly what it needs to do.

The Austin Healey is ready for entry to numerous desirable events and will surely be enjoyed for years to come.

CONDITION EXTERIOR
The looks of this Austin Healey are very nice due to the color combination and because of the impressive restoration. The chrome is extremely nice even as all the gaps. The Healey is extraordinary restored with period correct parts.

When you look carefully behind the wheels in the wheel arches and from underneath one can see that the car is restored on a high level.

CONDITION INTERIOR

The interior is like the exterior. Completely period correct although real leather has been used. The interior has been made by THE absolute top specialist in Holland.

Not a cheap and quick place but expensive and time consuming but the result is fantastic.

The leather interior is as new and the leather which is used is from a very high quality resulting in a soft and comfortable seat position. All buttons and knobs are as new and everything is perfectly working.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Austin Healey manufactured charming roadsters that were more stylish and unique than a contemporary MGs or Triumphs, while maintaining a sense of British modesty.

To many collectors and enthusiasts, the Austin-Healey 100’s are the purest of the big Healeys. They’re stunning to view and have that big, torquey engine, and though a very good example like this one is ideal for carving up deserted back roads, it is also capable of keeping up with modern traffic.

This lovely Healey in beautiful colors is a fantastically rare earlier and more desirable BN1’s.

This rare early chassis number Healey 100 is eligible for some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events including the Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic and Tour Auto to name but a few.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information or an appointment, please call Rutger Houtkamp+31625098150 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone during evenings or in the weekend. The Houtkamp Collection is centrally located near Amsterdam and only 10 minutes from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The information provided on this website has been compiled by The Houtkamp Collection with the utmost care. The information contained within this advert is provided ‘as-is’, without warranties as to its accuracy whether expressed or implied and is intended for informational purposes only. The Houtkamp Collection is not liable for any errors or mistakes.