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For Sale
$132,250
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NLD NLD
Gallery Aaldering
NLD
27,769 km (17,255 mi)
Manual
LHD
Original & Highly Original
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About this 1953 Austin-Healey 100

VIN: BN1LI44648

Gallery Aaldering: Europe’s Largest Classic Car Dealer Since 1975.

Our family-owned business has been dedicated to sourcing and offering the finest classic cars in the world. Today, we proudly present over 450 high-quality classics in stock, making us the biggest dealer in Europe. What you see on [website hidden] is only a small selection. Our full collection awaits at our dealer site. With worldwide shipping, regular sales to the USA, and nearly 50 years of expertise, Gallery Aaldering is your trusted partner in finding and enjoying the car of your dreams.

This one’s for the history books. And for the enthusiast with a deep appreciation for true motorsport heritage. This 1953 Austin Healey 100/4 is, according to international Healey experts, the oldest racing Healey in the world ever to hit the track outside the factory.

In 1953, this Austin Healey was shipped to the United States. Its destination? Wichita Falls, Texas. And who happened to be working there at the time? None other than Carroll Shelby. It’s all documented in the Healey records that come with the car. From that point on, this Austin Healey raced actively in the SCCA class until 1962.

After a long and competitive racing career, the car disappeared from the spotlight until it resurfaced in 1994. A true “lost and found” moment, and it happened in Columbia, South Carolina. A barn find of the highest order. The car then ended up in the hands of Jeff Knudsen, a well-known figure in the Healey community. His plan was to restore it and get it back on the track. That didn’t materialize, and the car was eventually passed on to a new owner.

The restoration was carried out by a Healey specialist, with a focus on period-correct components like the rare Alfin aluminum brake drums, which were fitted back in the day specifically for racing. The rest of the braking system was also lightened, as every pound made a difference on the track.

Thanks to the restoration and mechanical overhaul, the body is clean and straight, the paint presents beautifully, the wheels look sharp, and the interior reflects its rally roots: full of character, sporty, and properly trimmed. Nothing overdone, just right. And it drives the way it should. Crisp shifting, solid power delivery, and fully ready for the road or the track.

Then there’s the documentation. It’s an absolute treasure trove of history. Period photos, letters, race reports, invoices – everything has been carefully preserved. Just flipping through the archive is an experience in itself. You can almost feel the car’s past come alive. You get a glimpse of what it must have been like, back in the fifties, with this Healey tearing around the circuit.

For some context: the Austin Healey 100 was born from a collaboration between Donald Healey and Austin chief Leonard Lord. The car made its debut at the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show and was an instant success. It could top 100 miles per hour, was lightweight, affordable, and loved by both rally drivers and weekend cruisers.

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Specs

Details about this vehicle - curated by our market specialists.

Year
1953
Model Family
Model Generation
Model Variant
Base
Model Trim
-
Engine
2.7L I4
Transmission
Manual
Drive Type
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
Originality
Original & Highly Original
Mileage
27,769 km (17,255 mi)
VIN
BN1LI44648
Vehicle Type
Automobile
Body Style
Convertible
Doors
2 Doors
Driver Side
Left Hand Drive
Ext. Color Group
White
Int. Color Group
Blue

Market Summary

The Austin-Healey 100 Base - BN1 (1953 to 1955) market.

CMB $50,219
The CLASSIC.COM Market Benchmark (CMB) represents a benchmark value for vehicles in this market based on data accumulated by CLASSIC.COM. Actual market value for a specific vehicle will depend on various elements, including the condition of the vehicle.
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The Austin-Healey 100 was a variant of Austin-Healey´s BN1 generation. Powered by a 90hp 2.7L inline four engine mated to a modified&n... Learn more.

There are 12 Austin-Healey 100 - BN1 for sale across all model years (1953 to 1955) and variants, 12 are Base and 4 are model year 1953 . There were 78 Base sold in the last 5 years.

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Vehicle information is provided by the seller or other third parties; CLASSIC.COM is not responsible for the accuracy of such information. Price may exclude certain taxes, fees, and/or charges. See seller for details.