Renowned for their unmistakable looks and rugged performance, the "Big" Austin Healeys are among the winningest sports cars of all time. Quite spacious, and more powerful than many of their contemporary competitors, these British purebreds are utmostly desirable and higly rewarding Classics to own and drive.
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Unfortunately, most of these quintessentially British motorcars succumbed to the merciless demon rust, quite a few were literally driven into the ground; almost all of the surviving examples have been "restored" with varying degrees of competence.
What are the odds of finding a Big Healey that survived 50 long years unharmed? A car that has never been apart or restored? Where does one find the proverbial needle in the haystack ?
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Most experts would agree: Southern California is always a good starting point in the quest for a dry survivor. We got lucky, very lucky indeed, and found one, right here in beautiful Santa Barbara!
The magnificent Austin Healey 100-Six introduced here will always occupy a special place, even among the most eclectic group of vintage cars, a fact that becomes more evident once you comprehend its true life story, a story that is as mesmerizing as the car itself!
But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's start with the basics. This Austin Healey can boast of all the traits so important to serious collectors:
- documented California provenance
- amazing, one-owner history
- super low mileage
- breathtaking preservation status
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Special-ordered with red-on-red livery and picked up at Santa Barbara's venerable Austin - MG - Renault dealership PHIPPS MOTORS, 233 West Carrillo Street, on Christmas Eve of 1957, almost exactly 50 years ago, car number
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Among the irreplaceable paperwork included: the original purchase and financing document, the original AUSTIN factory Warranty Certificate, the original Owners Handbook complete with Christmas 1957 inscription, as well as the original California pink slip (title) and registration, still protected by the original DMV envelope, and just signed for release by the original--now 85 year-old--Lady owner.
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Proudly wearing its vintage California black-and-yellow license plates, front and back, this Healey also features a rare, period accessory key fob. Keys for ignition and locking gas cap are original as well, of course!
Having never left Southern California, this unique survivor has covered just 36,920 actual miles in 50 years, a fact confirmed by its sole owner.
Let's take a peek below the bonnet now, shall we?
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Being one of the last Longbridge-built Healeys, examining this car is a treat for any British car archaeologist.
You're probably not surprised to learn that this 100 Six, one of just 10,289 BN4 models manufactured from 1956 to 1959, is an all matching numbers example, featuring its original equipment, color, engine (#ICH-45627), gearbox, and differential.
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Unrestored original engine compartment is of reference quality and delivers many clues as to the original finish of components. Apart from the typical consumables, nothing has ever needed change or alteration, and we refrained from detailing or replacing anything. Note the original, cloth-bound wiring harness, the date-coded radiator, assembled in July of '57, and the original air cleaner housings.
Best of all, everything on this super-low-mileage 100-6 still works as it should!
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Healey's curvaceous body is as healthy and straight as one could hope for. There's no rust bubbling anywhere and no indication that the car has ever been involved in any major fender bender. Marvelous!
Although decades old, displaying an irreplaceable patina, the bright red finish is still very glossy, constantly receiving most favorable compliments.
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Down below, it's as good as it gets, almost unreal, really. Every dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast knows that more important than a shiny exterior--espcecially on a 50 year-old British roadster--is the condition of its undercarriage. Having never seen sleet, snow, salt, and hardly any rain, this incredible Healey proudly displays its original red finish on chassis and floor pans. When's the last time you have seen original paint underneath a 1950s car?
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You want original? Let us show you original.
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Not the most well-meaning restoration could improve on this!
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England's most respected 1950s sports car. More reliable than Jaguar's XK, not as feminine as the MG"A", and much prettier than the Triumph TR3, Donald Healey's masterpiece is a true Milestone car. Note excellent panel fit throughout.
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Healey has seen nothing but sunshine during the past 50 years: it seems that its factory convertible top has never been used. The original side curtains are present, as well as an excellent, black, zippered tonneau cover for extra protection.
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Rugged functionality is a hallmark of the stylish Healey cockpit. All gauges and lights work, the unrestored SMITHS instruments retain their beautiful dials and chrome bezels. Even the banjo steering wheel and bakelite horn button with integrated turn signal lever are factory-correct items.
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There's some wear, of course, but what do you expect after so many years of open-top motoring? Just like a bespoke cardigan with suede elbow patches, Healey's interior gets better with age.
We predicted this major trend in the collector car hobby years ago: original cars that come with a verifiable history and interesting documentation are worth much, much more than cookie-cutter restorations. (See our essay on patina, if you wish.)
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We all have seen restored, "like new" show cars: they can be so utterly boring! In our mind, an original example that has been allowed to age gracefully, revealing the rich story of its long life, is far more desirable than the aseptically clean, restored one. Sure, you could replace the Healey's old leather, carpet, and Hardura panels, but why?
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Before we leave on a long-awaited test drive, let's open the trunk lid.
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As would be expected: it's all original inside the baggage compartment as well! Red Hardura cladding, various and sundry goodies, tools and bag . . .
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. . . date-coded spare, electrical cut-off switch (Oh ye wise men of LUCAS fame!). Historic artifacts that, once lost, no money in the World could bring back.
When the petrol tank was removed for cleaning, we had a chance to marvel at the perfectly rust free trunk floor.
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Monday, November 26, was yet another sunny, balmy SoCal day, ideally suited for a fun run in our Healey. The car starts on the push of the button and almost immediately falls into a smooth idle. The perfect word to describe it would be "sweet!" You will never experience a quieter Healey; devoid of any mechanical clatter, its power plant behaves like a true, low-mileage unit. You have to experience it!
At 36,524 miles, a local Santa Barbara specialist refurbished the car's front suspension bushings, contributing most favorably to the car's heavenly ride. This is what a Big Healey is all about. Smooth power, easy handling, good brakes, excellent cornering abilities.
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This fine example is by a wide margin the best driving Healey we ever had the pleasure to put through its paces. We travelled up and down Pacific Coast Highway; the Healey didn't miss a beat. Forget leaks, smoke, or overheating . . . this car runs flawlessly, with great oil pressure, too.
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Returning home, we were all big, ear-to-ear smiles. Actually, we fell in love with the Healey after driving it. Alas, our garages are filled with "keepers," so here's a unique opportunity for one fortunate aficionado to add this low-mileage survivor to his--or her--stable.
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Exactly half a Century after it was originally received as a Christmas present, now might be the time for some sensible re-gifting. Indeed, it could be a blessing of karmic proportions to bestow this magnificent motorcar onto its second caretaker, as a Christmas present, the image of treasuring it for another fifty years in your mind's eye.
1957-2007-2057--what a fantastic road map!