Lot 021: Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1

After a successful period at the Cape, Warwick, producing the Riley-engined cars which bore his name, Donald Healey expanded into the American market with a series of cars with various American engines. In 1952 he formed a partnership with the Austin company of Longbridge to produce the Austin-Healey which took the American market by storm. The Austin-Healey 100/4 was introduced at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1952, and was a Healey-designed chassis with independent front suspension, an underslung live rear axle and all-round Girling hydraulic drum brakes. It used many Austin parts, including a tuned 90bhp version of the wonderfully torquey four-cylinder 2.6-litre engine from the A90 Atlantic, coupled to its three-speed manual overdrive gearbox. The bodywork was a radical up-to-date two seater, with a long bonnet and waterfall grille, and a windscreen which slid into a prone position on the scuttle for racing. The cockpit had a characteristic oval dashboard with full instrumentation and two racing type bucket seats with just enough room behind for an overnight bag, but the car also had a large and practical boot. Rugged, handsome and exciting to drive, it remains one of the all time great British sportscars.First registered on 28th October 1953, OAC 381 was one of seven BN1s registered to Donald Healey between 23rd October and 2nd November that year, consecutively numbered OAC 377 to OAC 383. Originally red, the car was later repainted blue and white but has recently returned to its original colour during a £6,800 body restoration at TR Techniques of Wolverhampton which was completed in March 2007. Prior to that, in 1998 the car was treated to a systematic programme of improvement to make her reliable for continental rallying at which she has excelled.This included a £3,000 engine rebuild by Motortech Engineering of London with new Australian high-compression pistons and an aluminium six-port cylinder head for lead-free motoring. There is also a four branch manifold, polished and balanced crankshaft and sensible fitments of a modern alternator and high-speed lightweight starter motor. A spin-off oil filter was fitted along with K&N washable air filters to the SU carburettors. The engine is said to rev very freely and to propel the car to 3-figure speeds with ease.The exhaust exits under the door, and a cast-aluminium sump also aids ground clearance, never a strong point with these cars. A four speed BN2 overdrive gearbox, rebuilt by marque specialists Hardy Engineering in 1998, replaces the former three-speed unit, and the car was fitted with new wheel cylinders, shock absorbers, brake linings and clutch at the same time. New 15-inch spoke wire wheels have more recently been fitted and a louvred 100M type bonnet completes the sporting equipment.A full set of weather equipment is present including hood, tonneau cover and sidescreens, though these are all rather worn, as is the interior with its blue sports bucket seats in Nappa leather. OAC 381 is one of the earliest BN1 series of 100/4 Healeys and has taken part in several continental rallies, including the 2002 Liege Rome Liege rally and 1000 Bournes Rally in South East France where it finished 3rd overall. Still said to drive very well indeed with an impressive turn of speed, the car comes with a run of old MOTs back to 1986 showing regular use and will have a fresh MOT before the sale.