Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1

One of two Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 models in our sale today, this particular car is a truly exceptional example that has recently emerged from a painstaking process of restoration and upgrading by some of the best-known names in the business.

As its accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, OXV 639 was supplied new by Garwood & Sons of Stoke Newington, London, in March 1954. DVLA records would indicate that it has had just four owners to date, the current vendor acquiring it in 2004 from a gentleman who had owned it for some 23 years.

Although not in bad condition when acquired, the vendor decided to treat the car to a total nut-and-bolt restoration and upgrade it to ‘fast road’ BN2 Le Mans spec in the process. Starting in 2007, the restoration took some three years to complete and employed the skills of some of the most highly-respected Healey specialists in the country.

Using a brand new chassis as the base, a new body was fitted by Phil Kennedy of Renaissance Classics, Hednesford, including fitting a louvred bonnet, a BN2 5-stud back axle and new mountings for a BN2 4-speed gearbox. The axle, gearbox and overdrive were rebuilt by Keith Clapham of Birmingham, a leading authority on the history and technical specification of the Healey 100, who also supervised many other aspects of the restoration.

The engine was entrusted to Richard Parker Race Engines of Swadlincote for a full rebuild, during which it was also balanced and tuned and fitted with a Le Mans modification kit. Dyno sheets show that the engine now produces 135bhp compared to 90bhp as standard. To cope with the extra power, front brake discs were fitted and the suspension uprated to fast road use, all components being shot-blasted and powder coated.

The interior was retrimmed in blue leather with FIA-approved race harnesses fitted and the instruments were rebuilt/recalibrated and a Mota-Lita woodrim steering wheel fitted. A custom-made blue hood and tonneau cover are also included along with new sidescreens.

Since the restoration was completed in 2009 the car has only covered some 330 road miles, some of them in the capable hands of Dennis Welch himself, the renowned Healey expert, who was tasked with any final bits of fine tuning and fettling with a bill on file for some £1,080 in 2012. 

Still in outstanding condition throughout and every bit as clean and tidy underneath as it is up top, this wonderful sportscar has an MOT until August 2014 and now just needs an enthusiastic new owner to give it the exercise that it so richly deserves, whether on road or track.