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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen-Webb's
• Sale Name:
  Collectors' Cars & Motorcycles
• Sale Date:
  18 Jun 2017 ~ 3pm (New Zealand Standard Time)
• Lot #:
  1
• Lot Description:
  1955 AUSTIN-HEALEY 100/4 BN1
  Chassis No: BN1-225383. Engine No: IB-225383 H.
• Notes:
  The Austin-Healey is an icon in the truest sense of the word. This fine-looking sports car’s form and design has more than captured the hearts and seized the imagination of 4 generations of driving enthusiasts as an object of uncritical devotion. It all began when the Healey 100 prototype was released at the London Motor Show, in 1952, as a joint project between Donald Healey and BMC’s Leonard Lord. It became the first affordable sports car capable of 100mph. Although it appeared the deal had materialised overnight to utilise the embarrassing numbers of Lord’s engines made redundant by the failure of the Austin Atlantic it had in fact been in the wings for some time. Available for 850 GB pounds, the United States of America ordered $7million worth of stock immediately! And so, joining forces, Healey and Lord built a car they and the customers loved in its original design. Donald Healey said, “I wanted to produce a very fast car capable of 100mph, which would also be exceptionally cheap to buy and easy and economical to maintain. The body was styled by Gerry Coker and even as the car progressed from a 4 to a 6-cylinder engine and the fittings grew in sophistication, it retained the beguiling body styling. Tough, agile and reliable, the 2660cc Austin Healey 100/4 and its derivatives became giants of rallying and sports car racing with most notably with Pat Moss driving a 100-6 and a 3000 in epic road races such as the Liége-Rome-Liége. Moss said, “If you do not catch it after a couple of snakes it is a case of saying goodbye and good luck.” The first BN1 models were powered by the same under-square 87.3 mm (3.4 in) bore and 111.1 mm (4.4 in) stroke, 90 bhp 2660 cc engines as the Austin A90 with a three-speed unit with overdrive on second and top gear. These cars were fitted with Girling 11in drum brakes front and rear. The suspension also utilised modified Austin A90 components as a cost-effective measure with Austin's worm and peg system, with independent double wishbone front suspension using coil springs while the rear utilised a rigid axle with semi elliptic leaf springs. A BN1 tested by The Motor magazine in 1953 had a top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph in 11.2 seconds with a recorded fuel consumption of 22.5 miles per imperial gallon. This 1955 100/4 example on offer was imported in to New Zealand from the UK in 1964 in its original right hand drive configuration. The car was first registered in New Zealand to Mr. Arthur Tomkinson of Lower Hutt on 16 March that year with 32,000 miles on the clock. It has a continuous line of provenance with documents available on request. The car changed ownership in 1966 to Mr. James Bell of Waipu and subsequently to Mr Bryan Jaspers in 1967 with an odometer reading of 51,820 miles. According to the current owner, upgrades include the alternator; spin on oil filter; cold air box and servo for the brakes. This car has had a new replacement Kilmartin Chassis and retains its original matching chassis and engine numbers which are documented within the 100/4 register in the UK. It retains its original windscreen made by Royal Doulton. The car has an uprated 5 stud type differential as installed in the later BN2. Finished in Royal Cream colour livery, this good example of a mid-1950s Austin-Healey has overdrive, side curtains and full tonneau. A comprehensive file of paperwork and documentation pertaining to its previous ownership will accompany the sale as will any original parts. Currently the car has an odometer reading of 964 miles. This genuine and well maintained 100/4 presents the discerning collector with an excellent opportunity to acquire a post war classic Austin-Healey at an approachable price level with accompanying documentation.
• Estimate:
  NZ$65,000 - 75,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.