Vehicle Description
This 1954 Nash-Healey is one of approximately 150 Le Mans coupes
produced over two model years, and one of only 62 of the desirable
oval window examples. The car is finished in platinum over red
leather upholstery, and power comes from a 252ci inline-six paired
with a three-speed manual gearbox with overdrive. Acquired by the
selling dealer in 2024, the vehicle was serviced in preparation for
the sale with a valve adjustment, overhauls of the brakes and the
carburetors, and replacement of fuel hoses, engine mounts, tires,
and an engine accessory belt. Featuring coachwork designed and
fabricated by Pinin Farina of Turin, Italy, a Nash-Healey coupe was
introduced alongside the roadster model for 1953. Named Le Mans to
commemorate Leslie Johnsons and Tommy Wisdoms third-place overall
finish in a race-prepped roadster at the 1952 French endurance
race, the coupe features a 6 longer wheelbase and 10 longer body
length compared with the open-topped variant. Approximately 90
Nash-Healeys were produced for 1954, its final year in production.
All of them were Le Mans coupes. This example was repainted in
platinum metallic under previous ownership and features headlights
incorporated into the grille, a faux hood scoop, Pinin Farina
fender badges, a single-piece rear window, tail fins, and chrome
bumpers with overriders. Red-painted 15 steel wheels wear chrome
wire covers, and they are mounted with 215/75 Coker Classic
whitewall radial tires that were installed in December 2024. A
matching spare wheel with a Goodyear bias-ply tire is stowed in the
trunk. The Le Mans rides on a 108 wheelbase and utilizes a
box-section frame, front trailing-arm suspension derived from the
Healey Silverstone, and a coil-sprung solid rear axle. Stopping
power is provided by four-wheel drum brakes that were overhauled in
December 2024 with the installation of replacement wheel cylinders
and hoses. The cabin features a bench seat trimmed in red leather
along with color-coordinated door panels and carpets. It is also
equipped with tinted visors and a factory AM radio. The banjo-style
steering wheel fronts gold-colored instrumentation including a
140-mph speedometer with inset auxiliary gauges and a 4,500-rpm
tachometer that does not work. The horn was repaired in November
2024. The five-digit odometer shows 45k miles, approximately 100 of
which were added by the selling dealer. The Le Mans Dual Jetfire
inline-six was increased in displacement to 252.6ci for 19521954
Nash-Healey production and was rated at 140 horsepower. The dual
side-draft Carter carburetors were rebuilt in November 2024, and a
valve adjustment was performed. Replacement spark plugs, engine
mounts, fuel lines, a radiator cap, and an accessory belt were also
installed at that time. Results from a recent compression test can
be seen in the photo gallery below. Engine stamping NHA1248 is
presented above, and it matches the motor number listed on the
chassis tag. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Borg-Warner
three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. An owners manual, a
Nash-Healey brochure, and a summary of the 1952 Le Mans race will
accompany the vehicle, as pictured in the gallery along with
service records from late 2024.
