Description
Austin Healey 100 BN1 | 1954
Highlights:
– Rare Coronet Cream with red leather interior – one of only 221 made
– Documented matching-numbers car with British Heritage Trust Certificate
– Recently completed restoration with high-quality parts
– Featured on the cover of Austin Healey Magazine (May–June 2023)
– Upgraded starter motor and electric overdrive for improved drivability
The seller offers for sale a 1954 Austin Healey 100 BN1 Cabriolet, originally produced for the American market and finished in the rare Coronet Cream colour. This particular car was built on March 23rd, 1954 and is one of the final Coronet Cream Healeys ever made – a shade introduced by the Donald Healey Motor Company to honour Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. Combined with the red interior, this is a highly uncommon and collectible variant.
The car spent most of its life in the United States and retains some paperwork from a 1974 sale in New York. It later passed through England, receiving the registration number 589 UYJ, before being sold at auction and ending up in Belgium. The car now resides in Luxembourg, where it underwent a documented restoration, including a new AH Spares chassis and hood, repairs to the original boot lid, and fresh Glasurit Line 55 paint in Coronet Cream.
The 2.6-litre inline-four engine, original to the car, was inspected and reassembled with new valve seals and relapped valves. The 3-speed manual transmission with electric overdrive was also disassembled, cleaned, and resealed. The SU carburettors have been rebuilt. The wiring harness is new and cloth-wrapped, and instruments and electrical components function correctly.
The interior presents as fresh and thoughtfully reupholstered in red leather, with new foam seats, renewed carpeting, and insulation added beneath the flooring for comfort. Door cards match the early BN1 style, and the dash layout remains true to the original. The car has also been fitted with a high-torque starter for reliable ignition.
The paint and bodywork are in appealing visual condition. While the finish isn’t show-grade, it is described as very good and appropriate for regular enjoyment. Some natural waviness in the aluminum panels can be observed – typical for these bodies due to the differing expansion rates of steel and aluminum. The hood is an AH Spares aluminum replacement; the boot lid is original and still bears the body number stamp. Original chrome was reused where possible and rechromed by a specialist company that also serves the Mercedes-Benz Museum.
This Healey rides on new 48-spoke painted wire wheels with Dunlop tyres, giving it the correct period look. Suspension components, including the kingpins, have been replaced to ensure a tight steering response. A new stainless steel exhaust, painted matt black, completes the factory-correct appearance. A new convertible hood and side curtains are included as well.
The original mileage is unknown. Mechanically the car is in a good condition. The car passed the Luxembourg technical inspection in October 2023 and is ready for use.
Condition of the Bodywork and Paint
4. Very Good: Small dents or scratches; may require minimal bodywork or paint correction.
Condition of the Interior
4. Very Good: Clean with minimal wear; may need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.
Technical Condition
4. Very Good: Mechanically solid, with possible minor maintenance required.
Overall Condition
4. Very Good Condition: Shows only minimal wear and is ready to drive at any time.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment.
All auction cars offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid.
Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction.
This car is currently located in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
This car drives, brakes and shifts.
The car has a Luxembourg registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction.
The description of this car is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the car from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy.
Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible cars to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy.
