Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 'Coronet Cream'

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Donald Healey's sleek and sporting Austin-Healey 100 caused a sensation when it was unveiled at the 1952 London Motor Show.

Intended as a low-cost, high-performance sports car targeted at the booming US market, the car featured beautiful flowing bodywork by Gerry Coker and an adjustable lay-down windscreen, giving the low Roadster a particularly sporty profile. Fitted with a torquey 94bhp 2,660cc four-cylinder engine from the Austin A90, the light and streamlined Healey 100 was a genuine 100mph-plus car (hence the name). A three-speed gearbox was equipped with overdrive on both 2nd and 3rd gears, essentially giving the car five speeds.

Fast, raw and exhilarating to drive, the 100/4 proved a big success with thrill-seeking American consumers, many of whom were war veterans struggling to adapt to the relative boredom of civilian life, and it quickly became the sportscar to own, highly tuned versions acquitting themselves well on race tracks across America. The BN1 was replaced by the 4-speed BN2 in August 1955 and then by the rather less charismatic 6-cylinder 100/6 in 1956.

This particular 100/4 is a rare limited edition ‘Coronet Cream’ model that was produced in the winter of 1953/54 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Exact production figures are unclear but estimates suggest between 300 and 600, virtually all of which were supplied to the USA market. As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this car was made right at the end of the run in March 1954 and was a LHD North American Export model with Coronet Cream paintwork and a red interior.

Not much is known of the subsequent history of the car but documents on file show that by 1971 it was with a Peter Hubbell of Ithaca, New York, and by 1974 with Edward McComb of the same city. It was imported to the UK by the vendor in April 2014 in order to fill a container that also contained an XK Jaguar – all duties have been paid and it now has a V5C with the registration number 589 UYJ.

As you can see, the car has been repainted in light blue metallic at some point and it now requires a full restoration. All important parts are present though no doubt a few minor trim items will be missing. Most importantly it still retains its original chassis, body, engine and overdrive gearbox, making it a ‘matching numbers’ machine.

With top examples of the BN1 now fetching in excess of £50k at auction, this rare limited edition Healey should amply reward the remedial works now required.