2021-04-28 07:17:48 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.co.uk/auctions/1957-austin-healey-100-6-Dn7zrg_campaign=Targeted%20%7C%20MG%20Midget%20%7C%2028%2F04%2F21&utm_t ...

Current Bid £29,250 Reserve not met

Seller's description:

Guide Price: £38,000 - £43,000

﹒Comprehensive restored just 2 years ago

﹒Bare metal respray in original factory colours.

﹒Significant history folder.

﹒Matching numbers 

This particular example is a BN4 model, and was purchased by the vendor five years ago, after selling their first Austin-Healey 100-6 over 30 years ago and longing for another one ever since. In their words, they “fell in love” with the lines, styling and exhaust note, and it’s not hard to see why.

During their ownership, the car has been comprehensively restored with the vendor overseeing all aspects of the restoration, resulting in what could quite possibly be one of the best-looking Austin-Healey’s on the road today.

Since its restoration was completed, this 100-6 has been used sparingly, and has been kept for sunny weekend drives and road trips, and has always been kept garaged throughout the last five years. 

Having enjoyed their time with the car and restored it to its full glory, the vendor is now putting this Healey up for sale due to wanting to focus on their collection of air-cooled Porsches, offering one lucky bidder the opportunity to own a virtually ‘box-fresh’ Austin Healey 100-6.

The Paperwork

Included with the vehicle is a plethora of paperwork pertaining to the comprehensive restoration undertaken, including numerous invoices for work carried out. 

In addition to this, there is also a number of heritage certificates and documentation, ownership documents and other historical paperwork, including evidence of the car being built in England and then shipped new to South Africa, where it was first registered. Due to South Africa not having an equivalent of the UK’s V5 documentation, the vendor is uncertain how many owners the car has had.

The Interior

The interior of this wonderfully restored Austin Healey is in near-immaculate condition as you’d expect, showing very little if any signs of age-related wear-and-tear. During the restoration, the interior was completely overhauled and re-trimmed, even as far as having new door catches fitted. If we were to be super picky, the chrome sill plates could do with a refurbishment or thorough polishing, but that’s about it. 

The carpets are all in excellent condition, with the driver’s mat beginning to show the expected signs of regular use. The chrome door pulls and other elements of the interior are starting to display a wonderful aged ‘patina’ look, but in this instance it only serves to showcase their age with grace, rather than detracting from the interior condition.

The Exterior

As you’d expect from a freshly restored car, the exterior condition is nothing short of absolutely stunning. During the restoration, the car was stripped back to bare metal and resprayed in the original factory colours, while the chrome trim was all refurbished and re-chromed where necessary.

The paintwork is in nigh-on pristine condition throughout, and is free from any dings, dents or impact damage. A small smattering of stone chips is to be expected, though even these seem to be noticeably absent from the photographs.

The brightly chromed bumpers, grilles and badges are all in excellent shape, with a mirror-like finish throughout. Some of the original badges appear to have been retained during the restoration, and these exhibit a fantastic period ‘patina’ that only comes from genuine ageing. The wire wheels are all shod in matching Vredestein tyres, which is often a tell-tale sign of a fastidious owner. 

The folding roof is in great shape with no reported holes, tears or waterproofing issues, while the tonneau cover is also in great shape. Of important note is that the car is in entirely original ‘factory’ condition, with any NOS or new parts required being ordered from AH Spares in the UK, in order to keep this 100-6 as authentic as possible.

The Mechanicals

Rest assured, this 100-6 hasn’t had some two-bit mechanical overhaul labelled as a ‘restoration’ - this is the real deal. During the process of restoring this iconic British sports car, the chassis was fully treated with rust-proofing undercoat, in order to preserve its originality, and the engine and drivetrain was fully restored. 

The work carried out to this 100-6 includes the fitment of a new three-core radiator, a new steering box, a complete overhaul of the braking system including refurbished slave and master cylinders, new wheel bearings, new brake booster, new brake linings and machined brake drums. A new clutch, pressure plate and thrust bearing ensure that gear changes are nice and slick, while a stainless steel exhaust allows the raspy engine note from the 100-6’s inline-six motor to be heard. 

Under the bonnet, the SU carburettors have been rebuilt and balanced, a new wiring harness has been fitted from AH Spares, and a new voltage regulator, reconditioned starter motor, generator and new temperature gauge have all been fitted. 

As expected, the engine bay of this 100-6 presents in simply fantastic condition, and the vendor reports that the performance and drivability of this Austin-Healey match up to its stunning appearance, with no reported faults or mechanical issues whatsoever.

This particular example is sure to appeal to those on the hunt for an iconic British classic, thanks to its documented and comprehensive restoration back to factory specification, making this 100-6 practically ‘box fresh’ and ready for its new owner to enjoy. A true British classic that simply needs a new driver to enjoy it!