1953 Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1 Roadster

Make

Austin-Healey

Model

100-4 BN1 Roadster

Year

1953

Listed price

$59,900

Location

Morgantown, Pennsylvania

Transmission

Manual

Mileage

73,219 miles

The Austin-Healey 100 emerged from a fascinating confluence of post-war British ingenuity and a desire to capture the burgeoning American sports car market. Conceived by Donald Healey and famously presented at the 1952 London Motor Show, the car so impressed Leonard Lord, managing director of the British Motor Corporation (BMC), that a deal was struck on the spot to mass-produce it. The "100" in its name was a nod to its guaranteed top speed of 100 mph, a significant feat for a four-cylinder car of its era. This BN1 generation, produced from 1953 to 1955, was the original and purest expression of Healey's vision, characterized by its folding windscreen, sparse cockpit, and the robust, albeit slightly agricultural, 2.6-liter four-cylinder engine derived from the Austin A90 Atlantic. Its immediate success in motorsports, including class wins at Sebring and a strong showing at Le Mans, cemented its reputation as a serious competitor and a quintessential British roadster. This 1953 Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1 Roadster represents an early and highly desirable example of the model's inaugural year. Showing 73,219 miles on the odometer, this roadster benefits from a ground-up restoration completed approximately a decade ago, which has preserved its charming character. The exterior is finished in a sophisticated two-stage Charcoal Gray Metallic, a fitting hue that highlights the car's elegant lines, while a contrasting red canvas convertible top adds a touch of sporting flair and individuality to this classic. Powering this spirited machine is its original-style 2660cc inline-four engine, paired with a manual transmission, promising an engaging and authentic driving experience. This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a beautifully restored example of one of Britain's most iconic post-war sports cars.