1955 Austin-Healey. One owner for 73 years. Exceptional car and provenance.

The first of the big Healey’s -the Austin Healey BN1, also known as the Healey 100-4 made its first public debut at the Earls Court Motorshow in October 1952. As expected, it was enthusiastically received. Developed by Donald Healey and produced at Warwick and Longbridge from 1953 until 1955 alongside the Austin A90. Adopting the venerable 2660cc A90 straight 4. The “100” was named by Healey for the car’s ability to reach 100 mph . A BN1 tested by The Motor magazine in 1953 recorded a top speed of 106 mph accelerating from 0–60 mph in 11.2 seconds.

This stunning one owner example was ordered from the owner’s local  dealer, Hankins in Alresford, Hampshire  who brokered the sale for Carey and Lambert, the Southampton main Austin Agency. Delivery took place on the 29^th May 1955. The car was first registered at Winchester Castle and all stamps pertaining to the log book issuance and annual road tax are recorded in the original buff logbook.

A RHD Australian market built car, production dated 21^st February, 1955. Finished in Carmine Red with black interior, options included a laminated windscreen and delete heater. A Smiths heater was subsequently fitted by Carey and Lambert. 

The car was used daily until 1963 and taxed up until 1966, when replaced by a more practical and comfortable Saloon car.  

The Healey was subsequently parked in a tractor shed on the owner’s estate.

For a further 25 years, the car stood, unused and forgotten until a car enthusiast employee suggested the owner looked at having the car restored to its former glory. A Heritage Certificate was obtained and plans made with a restorer based in Dorchester, located close by to one of the owners businesses in Dorset, they were highly recommended on the basis they had extensive coachbuilding experience, handed down the generations for decades. The company being Edward Channon & Sons, established in 1903 and builders of one of the first British made self-starting cars. 

The restoration started on 29^th August 1989 and almost 3 years later, completed with the car’s first required MOT conducted in May 1989 at 74,712 miles.

It is worth noting that the restoration was very thorough, covering both body and mechanical aspects to an extremely high standard.

There is a vast file containing correspondence between the two parties. Both eloquent and fascinating to read. Invoices have been safely kept and in today’s value would amount to well over £65,000. 

This car has been an absolute pleasure to recommission, more of a light restoration and refresh, testimony to the exacting standards of Channon & Sons work.

Finding an example with this degree of provenance would not be an easy task and we have been very careful to ensure the car can be enjoyed by its next fortunate owner for many years to come.