2024-06-24 11:06:16 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1955-austin-healey-1004-nJ0dd8

Seller's description:

1955 Austin Healey 100/4

Colour Red

Odometer 2,608 Miles

Engine size 2660

Seller Type Private

Town Calvados

Country France

Complete restoration by "Sport & Specialty" in the USA

More than €100,000 invested in the renovation

Only 2,608 miles (4200 km) since the end of the restoration

Matching numbers and colours with BMIHT certificate

Eligible for historic competitions such as Le Mans Classic and the Mille Miglia

Technical inspection until November 2026 with no unfavourable opinion

Registered in France as a classic vehicle

Top-of-the-range restoration in very good condition

First registration in 1955

Built as a left-hand drive for North America and delivered to a dealer in Germany

Registered in France as a historic collection vehicle

MOT valid until November 2026

Complete restoration in the USA from 1996 to 1998 by "Sport & Specialty" in Durand, Illinois

Extensive restoration file with invoices and photos

Unused after restoration and only driven eight kilometres until 2020

BMIHT certificate confirming matching engine number and colour scheme

Certificate shows that the car left the factory on 01/12/1955

Extensive list of work carried out in 2021 documented below

Over €100,000 in invoices

Stored in a dry garage with dehumidifier

Eligible for Mille Miglia, Tour Auto and Le Mans and similar historic events

Now showing 2,608 miles (4200 km) since last restoration

Full history file with numerous invoices covering recent work in particular

Described by the vendor as being of a very high standard and of even better quality than when it left the factory

Restoration work in 2021:

New MWS chromed spoked wheels

New splined hubs

Michelin XZX tyres (165/80 R15)

Conversion to front disc brakes

Master cylinder replaced

Brake hoses reinforced

New rear brake pistons and linings

New front shock absorbers and springs

Custom nylon bushes to create negative camber

Polyurethane bushes on anti-roll bar

New 'competition' cylinder head gasket and 'competition' studs and nuts

New clutch mechanism, disc and release bearing with reinforced 'competition' linkage

Overdrive unit dismantled and overhauled

New ignition including platinum screws, capacitor, finger and head

Spare spark plugs and new ignition wiring harness

Carburettors completely overhauled with new seals, new needles, etc.

New fuel pump and water pump with replacement hoses

Modern oil filter

Stainless steel exhaust system

New battery

All fluids changed

Originally painted Carmine Red, this car underwent a meticulous restoration in Illinois between 1996 and 1998, with further work in 2021. It had covered just five miles since the work in the 1990s when the subsequent work began and has only been driven 2,600 miles now. It is so fresh that it still needs to be broken in.

Upgraded with a BN2 gearbox (later model 4-speed gearbox with overdrive), this beautiful 100/4 is in near pristine condition. It is registered as a historic and collector's vehicle in France and has a Technical Inspection valid until November 2026 with no adverse opinion.

Condition

Restored to a very high standard over two years in the late 1990s in Illinois

Additional restoration work in 2021 detailed above

The combination of high quality work and limited use provides a car in very good condition

Retains its original carmine red colour scheme over black leather

The paintwork is resplendent with a high quality finish and no noticeable deterioration

The bodywork is in very good condition with neat panel adjustments and straight lines

Exterior accessories such as chrome, headlights and windows are virtually 'as new

New MWS chrome wire wheels with new Michelin tyres

Black roof with matching side screens that look virtually new

Black leather interior

Clear attention to detail throughout, including bespoke grey carpets

Refurbished dials and controls in very good condition

The underside shows evidence of a recent restoration with a very clean finish

Valid technical inspection with no structural objections

The quality of the work that has gone into this 100/4 is evident from the photographs. It may have been restored in 1998 by the Illinois specialist, but it appears to have been built yesterday. This is a testament to the level of skill involved.

The restoration has preserved the factory specification of carmine red on black leather. Inside and out, there is an obvious attention to detail. The lack of use means that the interior has a like-new appearance, with the reconditioned dials and redone seats being particularly convincing.

Additional work was carried out in 2021, documented above. More than €100,000 was invested in all the work.

The mechanics

2,660cc 4-cylinder 100/4 engine

Upgraded with a 4-speed manual gearbox with overdrive from the later BN2 model

Engine and mechanics revised during the 2021 restoration detailed above

We are advised that the car is fitted with a "Le Mans" type camshaft.

2021 work included brake upgrades, new shock absorbers, polyurethane bushes and a new clutch system

SU twin carburettors also overhauled and new fuel pump installed

Stainless steel exhaust system

We are told that the engine has covered so few km that it still needs to be broken in

Well detailed engine bay with chrome Austin Healey cam cover

No operating or driving problems reported

Valid technical inspection with no unfavourable opinion for the rolling stock

The €100,000 investment in this car included the mechanicals and rolling stock, as described above. This work was very respectful of the 100/4's history, giving priority to originality but incorporating a few selected improvements. These improvements are drawn from later cars, particularly the BN2, as well as more modern elements. These included a BN2 gearbox with 4-speed overdrive, a racing cylinder head, polyurethane bushes and disc brakes. The result is a highly enjoyable car, well prepared for historic events such as the Mille Miglia.

The speedometer was reset to zero after the work carried out in the late 1990s. We are told that between the end of this work in 1998 and 2020, when the car arrived in France, it covered just 8 km. It has now clocked up 2,608 miles (4,172 km) and we are told that it is still being run in. No operating or driving problems have been reported, and there is no adverse technical opinion on the current certificate of conformity.