2021-10-28 13:59:52 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.co.uk/auctions/1953-austin-healey-1004-nk7k6n

Auction description:

1953 Austin Healey 100/4

Colour Yellow

Odometer 10,712 Miles

Engine size 2660

Location Norfolk

Country United Kingdom

・Original, rot-free Healey

・Original right-hand-drive car

・Only two owners since new

・South African car now in the UK ready to register

A RHD car as it was supplied new to South Africa in the first full year of production. Its most recent owner kept the car for over 30 years and for much of that it was an exhibit at the Cape Wine Farm Museum near Cape Town.

It was purchased by the vendor earlier this year and imported to the UK this summer.

THE PAPERWORK

The seller is a former South African resident who works with contacts in the motor trade and classic car scene out there in order to source some of the most remarkable cars and bring them to the UK.

This example certainly fits that bill and comes with all of its import paperwork, along with a South African registration document, and will be sold with a full UK MOT.

The vendor is experienced in bringing vehicles to the UK and is happy to help the new owner with registration. 

However, the car has not been registered with the DVLA yet in case the next buyer wishes to export it. It does, though, have a NOVA certificate and all UK duties have already been paid, so aside from a small first registration fee there are no additional duties to be paid.

THE EXTERIOR 

Resplendent in its original Primrose Yellow colour scheme, the Big Healey looks absolutely terrific with only a couple of very minor blemishes in the form of small chips in the paint work, one on the very bottom of the boot lid and a couple more on the inner lip of the bonnet shuts. These are all very tiny and do not detract from the cars overall finish.

The panel fit is superb and there is no visible rust anywhere either on top of the car or underneath. It has been repainted at some point in its life but the quality of the respray is very good, with a deep shine and minimal imperfections. It has brand new radial tyres all round.

The Healey also has a hood, although this was not fitted at the time of our photographs. it was, however, supplied at the same time as the car was resprayed and is said to be in excellent condition. It also comes with a full-size black leather tonneau cover, which is also in fine order.

THE INTERIOR 

The cabin of a Big Healey is a fairly simple affair with a series of traditional Smiths instruments mounted in a cluster directly ahead of the driver, two bucket seats and an offset gear shift to the left of the transmission tunnel.

You soon get used to the slightly odd driving position, whilst in this example the seats have been refurbished and given extra padding, making it slightly more comfortable than the standard model.

It also has new carpets throughout and is in very smart and presentable order in every respect.

THE MECHANICS 

Under the bonnet, the original Healey 100 uses the 2.6-litre four-cylinder engine carried over directly from the Austin A90, coupled to a three-speed manual gearbox with overdrive on second and third.

The engine produces 90bhp, which doesn't sound a lot by today's standards but was peppy enough back in 1953, especially in a car fitted with drum brakes all-round.

We were able to conduct a short test drive of the car and can confirm that it’s in fine running condition. It starts at the first push of the starter button, holds a steady temperature and idle, and both the gearbox and steering are delightful to use, whilst the brakes feel strong and effective at low speeds.