1953 | Austin-Healey 100/4 (BN1)

Registration number: AH-46-48

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.

This is a very special Austin Healey for the true connoisseur. Interested? Get in touch with Gallery Aaldering today. Family-owned since 1975, we have decades of experience exporting classic cars worldwide. Ask us about the options.