To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The
Elkhart Collection event, 23 - 24 October 2020.
Estimate:
$120,000 - $140,000
- Beautifully restored by the noted Brian Hoyt as his personal
car
- Formerly owned by Jacques Harguindeguy and Tom Harrington
- Fitted with one of three prototype hardtops built for Nash
Motors
- Equipped with its original engine and correct, original
performance equipment
- One of the very best Nash-Healeys extant
Please note that this vehicle is titled as a 1954.
This 1953 Nash-Healey roadster was owned for many years by the
well-known enthusiast Jacques "Frenchy" Harguindeguy, noted for his
ownership of many of the great coachbuilt French classics and for
winning Best of Show at the 2000 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Following Harguindeguy's passing in 2007, the Nash-Healey, still in
very good original condition, was acquired by his friend, noted
restorer Brian Hoyt, who meticulously restored it to the highest
standards. Afterward, the car was part of the well-known
Paris-based Tom Harrington Nash collection, receiving a FIVA
identification card in his ownership before returning stateside to
join the Elkhart Collection.
Today, showing 63,658 miles at the time of cataloguing, the car is
beautifully and correctly finished, with straight body panels,
exactingly fit, and an exceptional interior in virtually unused
condition save for minor stretching. The connoisseur's eye will be
drawn to such details as the original serial number and body tags,
which remain in place; optional wire wheel covers; and the careful
attention to detail executed throughout, including the correct,
original aluminum cylinder head and dual Carter YH carburetor
setup.
An especially fascinating feature is the removable hardtop, one of
three known surviving prototype tops built by a California custom
shop at Nash Motors' behest in 1954. The design of the hardtop is
ingenious; it fits to the conventional soft top's hold-downs at
both the windshield frame and the rear deck and has a full
headliner and wraparound backlight, similar to the closed Le Mans
coupe. A restored canvas soft top is, of course, in place, and can
be used as desired with the hardtop removed. As best as can be
determined, of the three surviving hardtops this is the only one
restored and mounted on a car.
This is likely among the finest Nash-Healeys in the world,
deserving of the most discerning collection.To view this car and
others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20.
