2023-06-25 10:01:17 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1954-austin-healey-bn1-gO5xp4

Seller's description:

1954 Austin Healey BN1

Colour Red

Odometer 67,831 Miles

Engine size 2660

Seller Type Private

Town Biella

Country Italy

Highly original, restored BN1

ASI Gold Plate holder

FIVA certification

Restored 1994

Imported to Italy in 2010

First registered in 1955

Supplied with a genuine M-Spec engine conversion kit, as supplied

Restored in the 1990s, according to the invoices

Went through four registered British owner changes

Imported to Italy in 2010

Car indicates 67,831 miles - this has changed by only 8,000 miles since 2006

Certified with:

ASI Gold Plate

FIVA certificate

British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate

Austin-Healey approved specialist

Other paperwork includes:

A photographic record of the restoration

Selection of invoices for restoration and some repairs

Italian import paperwork

Italian Carta Di Circolazione

Most recent British MOT certificate (2008)

Some Italian invoices from 2018

The Interior

Factory-accurate black vinyl interior

Original period dials and instruments

Older restoration that still looks in fine fettle

Lightweight but stylish, the Big Healeys may be lacking in modern creature comforts - but very much subscribe to the British roadster philosophy of listening to the sonorous sound of the engine on country roads. The result is a simplistic but stylish open-top cabin with bucket seats, a compact dash and the joys of a wood-rimmed Moto-Lita Steering Wheel. 

This example has been nicely restored some thirty years ago, and has garnered a pleasant patina over its age. The result is a car that sits perfectly for one of its age, with zero rips or tears in the upholstery and all instruments clear and easy to read.

We can spot some bubbling in the door cards, the lightest pitting on chrome and metalwork, and some very gentle wear to the bakelite switches and controls - however, it all just adds to the car’s natural vintage glamour. 

The carpets are in good order, and the boot looks in superb fettle with a nicely-presented spare wheel stowed within.

The Exterior 

Attractive red paintwork

Impressive chromework with original Austin-Healey branding

Factory-accurate soft-top

Period-accurate condition including wire spoke wheels

Fully restored, the bodywork of this red Healey 100 is a fabulous ambassador for the car’s model. The compact, smooth, flowing bodywork, signature grille and rounded arches make for a superb look at mid-century British motoring.

This example is an older restoration, but you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise. It’s clearly been cossetted since, with every panel in good shape, tightly-fit and nicely kept. We can’t see any signs of corrosion or loss to the paintwork, and there are only the gentlest signs of swirling. 

The chromework carries slight patina, but still presents a fabulous contrast against the paintwork, and the glasswork and lenses all look in good order, with no chips or fractures. The distinctive period branding is still all in situ and really finishes off the car nicely.

The car comes complete with a colour-accurate soft top, which is in great order and shoes no signs of rips, tears or holes. It’s still sitting on a set of period-accurate spoked wheels, and shod in a full set of Hankook tyres. 

Underneath, the car is simply excellent fettle for its age, with only very light signs of surface wear and no extensive corrosion - a real treat for a British mid-century car.

The Mechanics 

Matching numbers vehicle, certified by numerous sources

Powered by the much-lauded 2660cc I4 engine, taken from the Austin A90 Atlantic

3-speed manual transmission

Opening up the hood of this Big Healey is immediately pleasing. The steel head of the engine is set inside a highly presented engine bay, with very few signs of wear across the board. It’s all pleasingly original, with no concerns we can highlight. 

We’ve no reports of any mechanical faults, no matter how minor, and with its matching numbers certification, this should make for a highly beguiling prospect - giving an authentic experience of a Big Healey on the roads. 

2024-03-07 21:03:47 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 3/24

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1954-austin-healey-bn1-nRZYLn

Description same as above