Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Inspired by a BMC-sponsored competition for an all-new sports car using Austin-based mechanical components, Donald Healey presented his "Hundred" roadster to great acclaim at the 1952 Earl's Court (London) Motor Show. With its sleek envelope-style body designed by Gerry Coker, chassis by Barry Bilbie, and purposeful engineering led by Donald Healey's son Geoff, the new roadster attracted the favor of BMC's Leonard Lord. Quickly renamed the "Austin-Healey 100," series-production of the new car commenced early in 1953 and it immediately took place as an unqualified sports-car legend, especially in the crucial North American export markets.
While awaiting the start of "Hundred" production by BMC, Donald Healey commissioned a small batch of pre-production examples for motor shows and high-profile racing events to generate additional excitement. In particular, the four BN-1 models race-prepared by Donald Healey and Roger Menadue were the first Austin-Healeys ever to be prepared for international road-racing competition. Following an ill-starred Mille Miglia entry, where a broken throttle linkage forced a Healey's early retirement, four cars were entered into the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans. While quite mildly prepared and even retaining their factory-stock bumpers and windscreens, two of the Austin-Healeys finished the grueling race 12th and 14th Overall - an outstanding achievement for such a new car in the face of an armada of much more-powerful competitors sporting engines with two to eight more engine cylinders, including Ferrari, Jaguar, Talbot-Lago, and the monstrously fast American V-8 powered Cunninghams.
This first-generation, left-hand drive Austin-Healey 100 'BN1' roadster from 1954 is a wonderful and highly engaging touchstone to those heroic early days. Handsomely finished in red over black with a black soft top and black upholstery smartly piped red, it is enhanced by desirable accessories including twin fog lamps, a handsome wood-rimmed steering wheel, and of course, a set of wire-spoke "knock-off" wheels. A nice and overall correct-appearing engine and underhood compartment, plus an "Austin-Healey" scripted and polished rocker cover and twin carburetors finish it off. A very early and nice example of a truly foundational postwar sports car, this 1954 Austin-Healey 100 'BN1' roadster is an enjoyable and attractive driver-quality example and a desirable choice.
One of the firsts BN1's bought in Belgium and imported to the USA by a soldier. Car has had a complete professional restoration and comes with a Heritage certificate.
