2014-09-17 17:07:39 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 11/13
classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php

Auction description:
Lot number 135
Hammer value £30,000
Description Austin-Healey 100/6 BN6
Registration 98 NKX
Year 1958
Colour British Racing Green
Engine size 2,639 cc
Chassis No. BN6/3123
Engine No. 26DRUH/69061

A letter from the Austin-Healey Club dated 1993 states that this car was manufactured in 1958 and was originally Dark Green with a green interior and an overdrive gearbox. It also gives details of the first few UK owners before the car was exported to America in the mid-1970s where it was to remain for the next 20 years.

The current vendor imported the car from Jacksonville, Florida, in June 1993. Still in its original right-hand drive it was in very good condition throughout (as shown in a photo album in the history file) but had been painted white during its time in America.

The owner decided to return it to its original Dark Green and also had the seats retrimmed in white leather with matching door trims and new green carpets. Many other trim parts were also renewed including new door rubbers, pedal rubbers and new dashboard trim etc. A new set of painted wire wheels were also fitted with new chrome spinners and new tyres. While not new, the tonneau, side screens and hood are said to be in good condition. The engine and running gear was also overhauled as necessary and a new straight-through exhaust system fitted.

Kept as part of a collection of some 20 classic cars, the Healey has only covered around 500 miles in the current 20-year ownership and is said to remain in very good condition throughout and to drive beautifully. It certainly fired up promptly and ran very nicely as we manoeuvred it to take these pictures.

Supplied with a rare hardtop, the car also comes with a fair amount of history including the original buff log book and a V5C. We have not been able to establish how many of the 133 right-hand drive BN6 cars still survive but it can only be a small proportion of them so this is undoubtedly a very rare machine. A matching numbers example that is still fitted with its original engine and overdrive gearbox plus a hardtop, it is sure to be of interest to any serious collector.

AMENDMENT: The hardop is not a factory item as stated in the printed catalogue and the tonneau and sidescreens are not new. Amended estimate.