2011-11-07 09:08:17 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 10/11
www.historics.co.uk/previous-auctions/22nd-october-2011/austin-healey-1004-bn1-w ...

Auction description:
Auction Date: 22 October 2011
Lot 388 - 1953 Austin Healey 100/4 BN1
Registration: JTK 827
Chassis Number: BN1 224973
Engine Number: 1B224973M
Odometer reading: 7,289
Estimate: £38,000-£48,000
Hammer: Not Sold

It was no surprise, given the styling, design and performance of these iconic motorcars, that Ian Walker, the 'Doyen of British Motorsport' as David Tremayne of the Independent put it, settled on this extraordinary example. Ian Walker played a key role in British motorsport at the time when Colin Chapman's Lotus emerged as the team that would take Jim Clark and Graham Hill to world championship successes in the 1960s. Walker's passion for motor racing emerged after a six-year period in the RAF which included two and a half years as a rear gunner in a Lancaster bomber during the Second World War. He became a Ford works driver and competed in the Monte Carlo Rally six times. In 1964 he shared a Ford Falcon with Hill, a friend. They took the event very seriously, making pace notes and using a helmet-mounted intercom system for the first time. On his retirement from race driving in 1962 he set up Ian Walker Racing, which enjoyed success across Europe and North America with the likes of Clark, Hill and Peter Arundell behind the wheel. Walker was also instrumental in nurturing the careers of young racers such as Mike Spence, Paul Hawkins and Frank Gardner. His team set new standards of professionalism, using custom-built articulated trucks long before they became fashionable. He was negotiating with John Player for sponsorship, and looking ahead to Formula One involvement. In 1968, Gold Leaf Team Lotus ushered in the era of commercial sponsorship.

With his connections, knowledge of racing and innate understanding of what makes up a competent fast-road car, he set about up-grading this one. Obviously restored to a good standard, the engine has been completely stripped and rebuilt by Mass Racing Developments, competition engine specialists, and a file exists listing parts used, torque curves during testing and cost of development. With a gas-flowed head and equalised combustion chambers, heavy duty cylinder head studs, bronze valve guides, Le Mans high lift camshaft and high compression pistons with equalised deck heights, this represents just a part of the modification undertaken; there are even retaining straps for the core plugs. An impressive read but the attention to detail does not stop there. Another two page list details the rally specification of the car. These include the basics such as tow-eyes, front and rear, full length sump guard and Lucas P100 headlights and Cibie spots but also twin fire extinguishers, twin Halda stopwatches, twin batteries, internal intercom system, four point belts and under dash cooling fans for driver and navigator. Even the wiper motor was deemed insufficient and so Walker had it re-calibrated to his own specification. The fuel tanks, exhaust system and radiator have been up-graded as has the suspension bodywork (bonnet) and internal fittings.

This has been meticulously put together by someone who knows what they are talking about and no expense spared. It would have no trouble taking part in international historic rallying across the world and comes, as you would expect, with FIA papers. With three files of paperwork including the buff log book with Ian Walkers details within, this extraordinary motorcar wants for nothing. There is even a trip/flight time clock on the navigators' side from a Russian MiG.

A stunning sports car with the heart of a thoroughbred.