2025-08-24 08:53:49 | pauls writes:

Car on BaT 8/25

bringatrailer.com/listing/1954-austin-healey-100-bn1/

Note, VIN is not verified by seller use caution

Auction description:

Seller: MLScars

Location: Monterey, California 93940

Chassis: 150311

Refurbished by Cairati in Italy

4,300 Miles Shown, TMU

2.7-Liter Inline-Four

Dual SU Carburetors

Four-Speed Manual Transmission

Overdrive Unit

Black Paintwork

Red Leather Uphosltery

Chrome 15” Knock-Off Wire Wheels

Lowered Suspension

Custom Side-Exit Exhaust

Plexiglass Windscreen

Lucas Driving Lights

Banjo-Style Steering Wheel

ASI Certificate

Private Party or Dealer: Private Party

Lot #207718

This 1955 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 is said to have spent time in the US before being shipped to Italy, where it underwent over €117k of work as part of a multi-year refurbishment completed in 2021 by Cairati outside Milan. The project involved disassembling the car, repainting the body in black, rebuilding the 2.7-liter inline-four, and installing a four-speed manual transmission and an overdrive unit. The roadster has been fitted with a plexiglass windscreen along with Lucas driving lights and rides on a lowered suspension with 15″ knock-off wire wheels mounted over drum brakes at all four corners. Inside, red leather–trimmed seats are accompanied by a banjo-style steering wheel and a heater. The engine is fitted with dual SU carburetors as well as a custom side-exit exhaust system. This modified BN1 was acquired by the seller and returned to the US in 2023 and is now offered in Monterey, California, with an Automotoclub Storico Italiano certificate, refurbishment photos, and a clean California title in the seller’s name listing it as a 1955 model.

Previously finished in red, the body was removed from the frame, stripped, and repaired before being repainted in its current black finish. A plexiglass windscreen has been added ahead of the cabin, and the custom exhaust features dual outlets ahead of the driver-side wheel. The E4 headlights and Lucas driving lights wear stone guards, and side mirrors are affixed to each door. The car is not equipped with a soft top or bumpers. The majority of the seller’s photos were taken in May 2025.

The chrome-finished 15″ wire wheels are secured by two-ear knock-offs and mounted with 165-width Michelin tires. The car rides on a lowered suspension, and braking is handled by drums at each corner.

The low-back bucket seats were re-trimmed in red leather with black piping, and color-coordinated trim extends to the doors. Black vinyl covers the dash, while red carpets line the floors. Further details include a cabin heater, a dash-mounted mirror, and door pockets. A black vinyl tonneau cover is included in the sale.

The banjo-style steering wheel frames Smiths instrumentation consisting of a 140-mph speedometer, a 6k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 4,300 miles, approximately 1,500 of which were added under current ownership. The seller states that true mileage is unknown.

The 2.7-liter inline-four featured dual SU carburetors from the factory for a rating of 132 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. The seller tells us that this engine was fitted with a replacement camshaft, pistons, bearings, and valves in addition to being machined and balanced as part of the aforementioned rebuild completed in Italy. A replacement wiring harness was also added at that time. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a retrofitted four-speed manual gearbox with an electrically actuated overdrive unit.

A chassis tag bearing number 150311 is affixed to the firewall. The car is titled as a 1955 Austin-Healey convertible.

2025-08-25 11:01:22 | Hank writes:

I would like to find more about this car #150311 for the 100 Registry. The chassis plate, affixed to the firewall, is incorrect and should located on the RH chassis rail. The body number and engine number are referring to a later car. I noted this on BAT auction, but a clearer explanation is necessary, as this car has IDs for two different cars.

2025-08-30 05:59:27 | pauls writes:

Hank, alas this is a pretty common experience. I hope you get a response from the Seller on BaT.

2025-08-31 17:52:42 | Hank writes:

No comment from seller here on HD or BAT. Not sure why, but he never applied for or displayed a BMIHT certificate. This is almost a no brainer for ALL Healey sales to take place and to give confidence to the buyer that he is getting a "genuine" AH 100 and not a bogus reproduction or stolen vin remake. Many cars recently have been "created" to garner higher sales dollars, especially in the Lemans market. More than likely, the car would have sold on BAT, with that certificate explaining its history, rather than just getting a high bid of $52K.