1955 Austin-Healey 100 Signal Red BN1

In 1976 I skipped school so my father and I could fly across the state to pick up this Healey. We drove it back and that trip cemented my abiding fondness for this little car. It has been in the family ever since. Seventeen years ago I assumed responsibility for care and feeding of the Healey and have done whatever the car needed to keep it looking good and running well.

It is a solid platform for full restoration or rolling restoration, neither of which I have time to complete. Although everything works, pretty much everything also needs to be rebuilt or restored or repainted – the car is nearly 70 years old. 

Sunny days are when this car is a treat (it is no fun the rain) so I removed the convertible top and frame for a tidier look. The tonneau keeps the inside safe and protected. The leather seats (which were redone in the 1980s) are supple and soft, and all the interior trim is in place. But it is all at least little tired. The parking brake works great, the wheels are true and balanced, but the tires are 16 years old. The frame and top are original and if installed would keep the elements out about as well as they ever did. The original side curtains are in their case in the trunk where they belong. drive, horn, lights, trafficator, wipers, instruments all function well. The steering, suspension, and brakes are safe for road use but nothing an objective person would describe as tight. The engine was rebuilt in the 1980s and starts every time with enthusiasm. wever the 1980s were four decades ago and the engine leaks a bit of oil. does the differential. And the steering box. And the transmission, which shifts as it should but has a grumble in second gear that started in the last 50 miles. The radiator does not leak. The car does not overheat. The starter was rebuilt this year. The carbs stay in tune.

There is no rust to be seen when driving down the road, although underneath there is some evident in the trunk floor. The cockpit floors, rocker panels, front fenders, rear fenders, hood, trunk are solid. The stainless steel exhaust has less than 1,500 miles on it.

The car was painted in the 1970s. xing this car an aesthetic experience – but there is cracking and fading and there are chips as one would expect of a 40 year old paint job. There is a cotton car cover to keep the Healey snug in the garage.