1954 Austin-Healey 100/4

Description

“The Austin-Healey 100 is a perfect example of fairly ‘ordinary’ components assembled together in such an ingenious manner that the results are almost unbelievable,” wrote Road & Track magazine after testing one of the first Austin-Healeys imported to America in 1953. Austin-Healey made waves in the sports car world that year when two of its factory-specification cars clinched second and third place in class at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans, even surpassing many purpose-built competitors to secure 12th and 14th place overall. Austin-Healey also competed well at the Mille Miglia that year. 

The impressive performance of these cars sparked a surge in demand for the 100/4. So did the striking body design by Donald Healey and Geoff Coker, with its almost Italian flair. Power was by an Austin A-90 four-cylinder engine with twin SU carburetors, mated a three-speed manual transmission with Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive. At $2,985, the Austin-Healey 100/4 was both a modern and affordable 100-mph sports car. 

This matching numbers 1954 100/4 was recently restored by a California marque specialist to its original Healey Ice Blue over a matching Navy Blue leather and vinyl interior, as verified by its British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate.  

Highlights 

• Early “Big Healey” freshly restored to factory condition 

• Showing 66,875 miles, believed to be original 

• British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate 

• Finished in Healey Ice Blue (2697) over a Navy Blue leather interior with light blue piping 

• Powered by a numbers-matching 2.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine with twin SU carburetors rated at 90 hp 

• Three-speed manual transmission with Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive 

• Louvered “M” style hood (original hood is included) 

• Matching blue folding top and tonneau cover 

• Late-style side curtains with “signaling windows” 

• The chassis number (BN1L219859) decodes as: 

  • B – 2000 - 2999cc 

  • N – Two-Seat Tourer 

  • 1 – Four-Cylinder 

  • L – Left Hand Drive 

  • 219859 – Serial number between 133234 and 228026 

Features 

• Fold-down windshield  

• Steel and aluminum body 

• Painted wire wheels   

• Chrome bumpers  

• Twin bucket seats  

• Chrome side view mirror  

• Electric wipers  

• Leather wrapped three-spoke steering wheel  

• Smith’s instrumentation  

• Independent front suspension  

• Heater 

Known Imperfections 

• This 1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 was recently restored by a California marque specialist and is said to be free from any substantial imperfections (it may benefit from minor post-restoration sorting) 

• Tear in driver's seat

• Windshield wipers are not installed

Included 

• Side curtains and bag 

• Tonneau cover 

• Matching spare tire 

• Extensive restoration receipts 

• British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate 

• Two inch think binder of detailed restoration photos and invoices 

• Factory tool kit  

Ownership History 

Built 1 October 1954, this Austin-Healey 100/4 shows 66,875 miles that are believed to be original. It has been restored to showroom condition using the proper components to keep it as original and correct as possible.