We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning early Austin Healey 100/4 which looks wonderful in the colour combination of metallic silver over a red interior. This is an excellent example having undergone an extensive restoration with limited use since. The BN1 has been long recognised for its purer driving experience, being light, shorter in wheelbase and more agile as a result. Its handling is sublime and the incredibly torquey 2.7 litre 4-cylinder engine is capable of pushing the car to 100mph. No wonder these cars were raced extensively in period and with notable success.
According to the Heritage Certificate the car was originally delivered to the dealer ‘A.Bruggeman GmbH’ Dusseldorf, Germany and its’s likely this was bought by an American serviceman whilst being based there. Subsequently we know it went to the US and was imported to Tasmania in the 80’s. It sat in a shed as an unrestored car for around 20 years before being bought by the previous owner who undertook a complete restoration which was completed around 2014. We believe mileage at this point was 24,524 and it now reads just 30,655. When restored the original Carmine red paint was changed to the current metallic silver which we think is spectacular and really makes the car. Any compromised metal was replaced during the restoration and there are photographs showing evidence of the work involved. When the paint was removed it was clear the body was in remarkably good order reflecting the extensive periods it spent in storage.
The interior was finished with red leather seats and matching carpets which complement the silver paint perfectly. The quality of the paint is generally excellent with only some smaller blemishes present but these do not detract from the overall presentation. The brightwork was either refurbished or replaced and presents as new. The wire wheels are a lovely feature and are unmarked. As you would expect the underside of the car is clean and presents extremely well.
The engine had been rebuilt and a compression test provided excellent results it also benefits from a recent top end rebuild with around 300 miles done on the engine since. As expected during the restoration, a new wiring loom was also installed. The car has been fitted with a 5 speed Toyota gearbox and front disc brakes, both of which a common and welcome upgrades. The engine is the original unit as is the body making this a matching numbers car. The car has had a recent and full service including the changing of all fluids, engine tune and work to the brakes. Out on the open road it drives particularly well, and the amount of torque makes it surprisingly easy to drive. As ever with these Healey’s the interior is just a lovely place to be. The dash, seating and carpet is perfect showing little signs of wear since restoration except a small amount of abrasion to the edge of the driver’s seat. Overall, the seats, instruments and carpet are just lovely and compliment the outstanding presence this car has.
Thanks to the large 4-cylinder engine with just oodles of torque and double SU carburettors, this Healey is just magnificent to drive. We have been totally taken with it over the last weeks. Out on the road the engine note is intoxicating and it has so much ‘go’. The 5-speed gearbox performs well and it is a pleasure to drive down winding country roads. The soft top hood is like new and unmarked and the tonneau cover is as new too.
It just begs to be driven and it’s easy to understand why these cars were so successful as race cars – in period they were often only slightly modified before they took to the racetrack and the BN1 was the ‘perfect tool for the job’. Light, fast, agile and reliable. It also looked stunning too. This is a very beautiful Austin Healey which has benefitted from an extensive restoration with a large history folder to support the work done. It is ‘turnkey’ and needs nothing other than to be enjoyed.
