1953 AUSTIN HEALEY

A very early and surprisingly rare 1953 Austin Healey 100/4 BN1, chassis number 146485. Believed to be the first Austin Healey ever delivered new to France, still wearing its original factory specification of Carmine Red over black interior with a black hood. Although not well documented in the file, correspondence suggests that the car left France for Arizona early in its life, before returning to Europe - the Netehrlands - in the 1980s, where it resided for the next several decades. In 2016-2017, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration by Rebelco Car Services, Utrecht, with an extensive photographic record on file. Restoration notes state that the chassis was exceptionally original, unwelded, accident-free and rust-free prior to restoration, with a full set of matching body numbers retained throughout. Although the engine was replaced earlier in the car's life, the car pleasingly retains the correct BN1 three-speed gearbox. In August 2020, the car was acquired by the current owner who subsequently imported it into the UK and registered it on UK plates. Shortly afterwards, it was granted FIVA papers, adding to its historic event credentials, and was then entrusted to marque specialists JME Healeys for preparation work ahead of the 2021 Mille Miglia. The car successfully ran and completed the event, and as such, remains on the Mille Miglia Registro until the end of June 2027. Further major mechanical investment followed in 2022 with a full engine rebuild by Pace Historics, together with subsequent ongoing maintenance by them thereafter. Today, this BN1 represents a wonderfully usable and historically important early Austin Healey: beautifully restored, Mille Miglia proven, event eligible, and with the sort of early chassis originality that is becoming increasingly hard to find.