Vehicle Description
1951 Nash-Healey Series 25 Roadster
Awe Inspiring and from equally Impressive Private Collection of
Wendell Castle, internationally renowned sculptor and art furniture
designer.
This Nash-Healey IS a Work of Art with the Power and Breeding to
Back it Up.
The 1951 Nash-Healey was the first post-war sports car from a major
American manufacturer. The roadster's aluminum body was designed by
Len Hodges and Don Healey. Healey entered the prototype in the 1950
race at Le Mans, finishing third in class, fourth overall, behind
two Talbot-Lagos and Sydney Allard's Cadillac-powered J2 but ahead
of Aston Martins, Jaguars, Ferraris and Cunningham's own
Cadillac-powered specials. Just over 100 were manufactured.
This car's stock 3.85L inline six cylinder Nash engine is fitted
with a very rare Healey factory racing team aluminum head. This
head features an integrated intake manifold supporting triple SU
carbs (the stock engine used dual SUs). The long stroke engine
rumbles wonderfully through its beautifully constructed custom
headers and exhaust. The three-speed manual transmission has a
Borg-Warner overdrive, plus torque tube and differential. The
chassis is a widened and reinforced Healey Silverstone box-section
ladder-type steel frame. The independent front suspension, also
Healey Silverstone, uses coil springs, trailing link, and a sway
bar. The rear suspension features Nash's rear end with coil springs
replacing the Silverstone's leaf springs, while the beam axle is
located by a Panhard rod. Bendix drum brakes on all four corners
provide the stopping power.
Wendell purchased the car in the early 1990's and began its
complete restoration. Along the way, he chose to make many
modifications to achieve a period race look and performance: No
bumpers, a raked windshield, Healey factory racing intake manifold,
custom exhaust system, roll bar, seats, etc. All of these subtle
changes help make this car so special. First, the color is not
Champagne Ivory or Sunset Maroon. The seats are modified later
model Austin Healey buckets. The custom interior and leather
upholstery are top notch with the green piping selected to match
the body color. The wool berber carpets are also trimmed in green.
Wendell laid out the instrument panel using new Smiths gauges, with
the tach located purposefully in front of the driver. A wood-rimmed
Motolita steering wheel is fitted to the adjustable column. The
roll bar height is adjustable so it can fit underneath the top. A
LeMans fuel door and filler neck connect to a custom stainless fuel
tank. Painted 54 spoke Jaguar wire wheels replace the stock steel
wheels. The rears were built up with a 1.3? wider rim to give the
car an ever so slightly more aggressive stance. Tires are 185R16
92S Michelin X. The boot has a convenient custom spline hub mount
for the spare wheel.
This highly anticipated long term project, over 25 years in the
making, was never completed. It was the closest he came to
designing and building his own car since he and his younger brother
assembled one in the basement of their family home in Kansas back
in the '40s. This one is a lot prettier!
Much of the original body, electrical, and mechanical work was done
by Posie's in Hummelstown, PA. More finishing and fitting work
including an engine and carb rebuild was done by Concours Classics
Motor Cars in Macedon, NY. The custom leather interior, fabric
tonneau, and fabric top were done by R.P. Interiors in Horseheads,
NY. All receipts with descriptions of work are available.
The sale includes the major parts needed to finish the car. Some
minor items including gaskets, seat belts, and a bonnet prop rod
will need to be purchased. The side curtains and mounts were
designed and partially fabricated, the parts are included. Many
other miscellaneous parts from the original car are also included.
A white vinyl roundel was added for its showing at the 2019 Watkins
Glen Vintage Gran Prix Concours.
Estimate: Call for Information
