Lot 132 - 1954 Austin Healey 100/4-8

Carroll Shelby was a maverick but a maverick with a strong streak of brilliance running through him. Not only a gifted driver but a good engineer, you can thank the British Motor Corporation for the advent of the Cobra. Unpicking the timeline in the late 1950’s, it was Mr. Shelby’s idea, right at the beginning, to install a small block Chevrolet engine into the Healey 100/4. This plan was on Donald Healey’s desk long before a deal was signed up by Herbert Austin. Carroll Shelby then went on to install his engines in the AC Cobra and the rest is history.

Imported from the U.S. in 2011 by the vendor, he set about a full ground-up restoration. Whist the engine and gearbox were out, the body was prepared and painted by Healey specialists, Orchard Restorations in East Sussex to classic competition 100M specification; this included twin bonnet louvres, bonnet strap, no bumpers and the classic colour combination of white over dark blue with competition side vents. The 5.7 litre small-block, Chevrolet motor with four barrel Holley carburettors was stripped and found to be ‘as-new’ and the gearbox replaced with a five-speed Tremec unit. The differential is a ‘Ford 9” Detroit Locker’ with a 2:8 ratio and stopping is through disc brakes all round and competition callipers at the front. She sits on completely bespoke Jaguar D-Type-style centre lock wheels, ‘knock-on’ three-eared spinners and new tyres. The suspension has been uprated with rear telescopic shock absorbers and fuel passes through a Holley pump and filter from a bespoke aluminium fuel tank. The interior is well maintained and has been clearly used and the hood and tonneau in good order. Power comes in ample supply but delivery has been cleverly mitigated with equally appropriate ancillaries. None of this hell-fire and damnation is obvious to the casual observer but pull away from the kerb...