1955 Austin-Healey 100-4 Roadster

Vehicle Original VIN : BN1L223868
Nicely done older restoration still in fantastic shape. Twice completed the California Mille rally. Beautiful blue leather interior, properly tuned and sorted, drives superbly. Full weather equipment included. A desirable early Healey in perfect condition for driving events.

The Austin-Healey partnership resulted in some of the finest British sports cars of the period. Bigger and more robust than much of their competitors, the Healeys were renowned for their high-speed comfort and ability to traverse long distances at high speeds without fatigue. Later versions were successful at LeMans and other racing venues, and like many craft-built sports cars, racing improved the breed. This particular 1955 100-4 BN1 is an early production Austin-Healey that has been sympathetically upgraded with details from the 100M, including the louvered bonnet with leather strap, giving it a distinctive look. It's probably also worth noting that the 100-4 is the only Healey with the dramatic folding windshield, its signature feature, and it really does transform the car. With a restoration that's approaching its 10th birthday, it remains in first-rate condition thanks to a conscientious owner who cared about making the car right as much as he cared about making it pretty. The two-tone Ice Blue over English White color combination is iconic on the Healeys and looks as good here as it ever did. Excellent bodywork ensures that the doors close properly, the louvered hood fits right, and panel gaps are even throughout. They probably weren't this nice when they came out of the factory. You'll also find excellent chrome trim—just enough to make the 100-4 sparkle without looking weighty. After all, performance was the car's reason for existing.

Blue leather bucket seats anchor a surprisingly comfortable and spacious cabin that's more luxurious than your average MG or Triumph. The big three-spoke banjo steering wheel is in your lap, which was how cars were back then, and the shifter—complete with quirky shift pattern—is right up against your thigh. They spent the time to make it right for people who wanted to use the car in combat. Beautiful plush carpets help with the upscale feel and also control noise and heat, making this a comfortable place to spend an afternoon on your favorite winding road. All the factory Smiths gauges are fully operational, as are the lights and other ancillaries. Overdrive was standard on the 100-4, functional on 2nd and 3rd gear and controlled by a big chrome toggle switch on the dash—just about where you fingers can flick it at will. Of note, this car has a matching blue vinyl folding top, full side curtains, as well as a cockpit tonneau, which is the right way to enjoy a British sports car solo. And yes, the windshield folds properly if you want the full Healey experience. In back, there's a neatly finished trunk with a matching full-sized spare tire and fuel filler.

The 2660 cc inline-4 was taken directly from Austin's more pedestrian offerings but with 90 horsepower, it was able to push the 100-4 to more than 100 MPH. It's torquey and energetic, and with dual carburetors, throttle response is crisp. This one is apparently the car's original engine (the stamping pad matches the car's serial number) and is dressed in correct Austin Green engine enamel with a polished aluminum valve cover on top to help disguise the engine's mass-produced origins. It starts easily, idles nicely, and has a wonderful baritone voice when running at 8/10ths. Correctly detailed when it was restored, it shows well although there are obviously some signs of use—this car has twice completed the California Mille, a 1000-mile road rally that's far more demanding than most old car tours. This car is a proven runner. It stays cool, the generator makes electricity, and there's plenty of oil pressure on tap to ensure you won't worry about running it as intended. Underneath it's clean and shows evidence of a quality restoration, which now has about 10,000 miles on it so it's no longer perfect. But perfection is over-rated when you have a big Healey sports car in your garage beckoning you to hit the road. Clutch action is light and once you master the quirky shift pattern, the 3-speed manual gearbox is a willing partner. And the overdrive makes this a legitimate high-speed cruiser that never puts a tire wrong. This car has been upgraded with disc brakes from a later model and there's a new stainless exhaust system that properly replicates the signature exhaust note. Obviously rust is a non-issue and the fuel system was restored with the rest of the car so it's healthy, too. Factory wire wheels were chrome plated for a little flash and carry right-sized 165SR15 blackwall radials that ride and handle great.

Extras include a set of side curtains and a full tonneau cover, plus a removable protective “bra” for the nose of the car—nice on longer drives.

Iconic is one way to describe these wonderful cars. They provide everything you need from a sports car, no more, no less. For long-distance touring, they're fantastic partners that don't mind hustling. With sensible upgrades, this one is supremely competent and insanely fun to drive. If getting in, turning the key, and getting some bugs in your teeth is your kind of fun, this Healey is ready to do it with you. Call today!

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