Description
Offered for sale is an absolutely stunning example of an early “Big Healey”, a 1954 Austin Healey 100-4. Finished in aggressive yet tasteful Opalescent Charcoal with Silver Grey coves, red brake drums glaring out from behind the chrome knock-off wire wheels. I’ve never seen a Healey with more presence. It just looks mean, but it does so while remaining period and retaining the stiff upper lip of its intended initial market. The gracefully belligerent styling is only augmented by the wonderful staccato warble emanating from the car’s exhaust system as it roars through the gears. It’s truly a car that never ceases to garner attention and appreciation from other drivers and pedestrians.
The car is aesthetically excellent, the finish maintaining excellent depth and luster, marred only by the most insignificant of imperfections, none of which appear in any of pictures or detract at all from the car’s overall appeal. The panel fit is very good (something difficult to find on all Healey’s), and the brightwork, glass and rubber are all excellent throughout. The car’s interior is equally as clean, the seats, carpets and interior panels showing virtually no wear at all. All of the gauges and electrical components work, the adjustable windscreen functions as it should and the car has a brand new and correct convertible top and side curtains. The aforementioned knock-off wire wheels are in great shape and are wrapped by tires with plenty of remaining tread. Both the engine compartment and boot are sanitary and the original spare knock-off wheel is included.
This 100-4 is in fantastic mechanical condition and is as much fun to drive as it looks. The numbers matching engine starts easily, idles consistently and pulls strongly through each of the gears. The BN1 transmission shifts flawlessly without any grinding or vibration, overdrive works as it should. The compression is excellent and the car runs cool, overheating never a problem. It’s a thrill to drive, whether just tooling through town, wailing through the canyons or cruising up the coast for an impromptu weekend trip. This comes as no surprise as the car has always been owned and cared for by enthusiasts, garaged and maintained properly, exhibiting no rust to speak of. The car is numbers matching, original and correct and comes with a Heritage Certificate to confirm.
This is an excellent opportunity at an incredibly gorgeous and solid 100-4. If you’ve been looking for a vintage sports car that needs nothing to be consistently enjoyed (and admired) for years to come, I can’t think of a better alternative.
