This 1955 Austin Healey 100 BN1 is a driver-quality classic. It has been in my family since 1976 but it is time for it to find a new caretaker. Everything works as intended: the car starts runs and stops properly and is a delight to drive. The car is ready for a summer of warm weather fun.
It is not numbers-matching, and that makes it less stressful to drive and enjoy. Have no illusions - this Healey is not going to grace the lawn at Pebble Beach. But it will provide hours of fabulous Little British Car motoring. The transmission developed a whine last summer and was replaced with a period-appropriate 3 speed with overdrive that is identical to the previous except this new one doesn’t whine. Instead it shifts smoothly and decisively, and pulls with gusto. The car is a solid platform for full restoration, rolling restoration, or just enjoy it as a summer toy. Nothing needs doing or fixing in order to drive and appreciate the car right away.
The leather seats (which were just redone in the 1980s) are supple and soft, and all the interior trim is present and in place. But it is all at least little tired. The wheels are true and balanced, but the tires are 16 years old. The frame and top are original and keep the elements out about as well as they ever did. The original side curtains are in the trunk where they belong. Overdrive, horn, lights, signals, wipers, instruments all function well. The engine was rebuilt in the 1980s, it starts every time and with enthusiasm but leaks a bit of oil. As does the differential. Not the radiator though…no leaks there.
There is no visible rust to be seen when driving down the road, although underneath there is rust evident in the trunk floor. The cabin floors are solid. The exhaust has less than 1,500 miles on its mellow stainless steel bits.
The car was painted Jaguar Signal Red in the 1970s. If you like patina you will love the finish – it shines and it is a visceral, aesthetic experience to wax this car – but there is cracking and fading and chips as you would expect of a 40 year old paint job.