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Better Bet: 1954 Austin-Healey 100-4

1954 Austin Healey 100 4 Side

After posting the 3000 earlier today, we did a little searching and dug up this treasure. A 1954 Austin-Healey 100-4 that runs and is infinitely more solid than the 3000. Plus this is a early 100-4 which makes it much more special to us.

1954 Austin Healey 100 4 Drivers Side

When Donald Healey started producing these he was attempting to fill a gap between the MGA and Jaguar XK120. Even though it was noisy and unsophisticated, it went on to be much loved for its British character and respectable track abilities. With history at Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, and the Carrera Pan Americana, the Austin-Healey 100 will always be an important sports car and this example will surely continue to appreciate in value.

1954 Austin Healey 100 4 Rear

Sure the paint is dinged up and the trunk lid doesn’t match, but who cares? The nicks and scratches add to the car’s charm. If we were to purchase it, we would leave the outside alone and just worry about the mechanicals.

1954 Austin Healey 100 4 Engine

There is not much information in the listing about this car, but it does mention that the engine was rebuilt at some time and it does run. We would still go through everything just to be safe.

1954 Austin Healey 100 4 Interior

The interior looks too good to be original, but may be considering the condition of the exterior. This car was obviously garaged its whole life. The seats and carpet look good enough for us.

1954 Austin Healey 100 4 Undercarriage

Here is a shot of the undercarriage to compare with that of the other car. The frame on this car looks much more solid. There are a few holes in the floor, but we would feel much more confident starting with a frame in this condition and just having to replace the rusty floorboards.

1954 Austin Healey 100 4 Grill

We love the shape of the grill on these 100’s and this one looks good even with the AH badge and flaking paint. This great car is available from Beverly Hills Car Club with an asking price of $26,500 which seems fair considering the condition of the car. We would love to pick this one up, recline the windshield, and just drive it every chance we could get.

Comments

  1. Avatar Wheezer

    Actually, these cars predate the MGA by a couple years- the introduction of the "Healey Hundred" delayed the production of the MGA to keep the BMC bean-counters' panties un-twisted. I took like the purer four-cylinder Big Healeys the best, but any sidescreen model would suit me just fine. I drove a customer BT7 yesterday, and a BJ8 today, and while both are fine cars my choice would be easy.

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  2. Avatar Barn Finds

    Thanks for the correction. Honest mistake. That means that the 100 fit between the MG T-series cars (not MGA) and Jaguars.

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  3. Avatar Wheezer

    Glad to find someplace to apply my useless knowledge! Thanks for the forum- I'm really enjoying the site!

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