1954 AUSTIN HEALEY 100/4 BN1

When Donald Healey first displayed his new sports car at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1952, even he hadn’t realised how positive the response would be - leading to an ongoing collaboration with Austin and over 3,000 orders taken at the show. 

With Austin’s reliable, torquey and relatively light four-cylinder engine as the heart of this beautiful new roadster, it was the perfect recipe for sales and racing success. 

The 100/4, named for its ability to easily reach a true 100mph, still has what it takes to give a thrilling driving experience today - lightweight but stiff construction, independent front suspension and that brilliant engine combine to reward the keen driver with something that doesn’t just look pretty, it really goes as well. 

This early BN1 delivers the purest driving experience of all the “Big Healeys” and it has the wonderful 3-speed (with overdrive)  gearbox, which is such a joy to use, with ratios equally suited to ripping through town or an open country road. 

There’s a proper roof for poor weather, a colour-matched tonneau for more casual use and for the full mosquitos-in-your-teeth experience you can quickly lay down the windscreen and pretend to be a factory Le Mans racer. 

Painted in the beautiful Spruce Green over Green interior with a Green hood this very original and meticulously preserved survivor has travelled 159,215 documented miles from new. I have never seen a history folder like this, with every single dollar spent and tweak made recorded over its lifetime by just a few caring owners, even the original factory build tags are present. 

Sold new to Mr Robert Foster of Surrey Hills, Victoria, the original deposit receipt, full payment receipt dated 21/7/55, plus original documents issued by Austin Distributors Pty Ltd are in the comprehensive history folder. Mr Foster owned and cherished the vehicle until he passed away in the mid 1990's, putting 120,000 miles on it as his daily driver, mostly commuting to his South Melbourne office. During this period, he maintained and cared for this car in a way which is rarely seen, and this reflects in the vehicle's condition today. 

Whilst this Healey is mostly standard it does feature a steel Weslake head, which goes some way to explaining why it feels so lively and fit today, with likely more than the standard car’s 90 horsepower. 

The car is absolutely turn-key and ready for a new home, either with a collector or as the archetypal Fifties British Roadster for anyone looking to add more adventure to their life. 

It brings smiles and positive comments everywhere it goes, but only its driver can fully understand its timeless charm.