2019-10-08 10:56:51 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 10/19
www.coys.co.uk/cars/1955-austin-healey-100-m

Auction description:
ESTIMATE £45,000- £60,000
Auction Syon Park 2019
Auction Date 19th October 2019
Lot Number 130
Reg. Number TBA
Chassis Number BN1L227475
Year 1955
Make Austin Healey
Model 100/M

This wonderfully presented Healey was purchased via Donald Healey Garages in Warwickshire by a prominent member of St Louis, Missouri society and Senior Officer in the Sports Car Club of America, Lester Seasongood.

Seasongood was a national secretary of the SCCA, and an area steward, and was prolific in their activities through to the middle 1970s. An active competitor and leading light in motorsport in the period.

Subsequent to Seasongood campaigning the car, it was sold to the Editor of the St Louis Post, James Lawrence, who also campaigned the car in Club events, and he retained the car until 1968.

Documentary records and films from the period show what a fascinating and vibrant motor racing culture the SCCA engendered. Grids comprised of all the great European and American sportscars of the period, all racing together by enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals alike, with fabulous variety – with Porsche 356s, MG As, Austin Healeys, Chevrolet Corvettes, Ferrari 250 GT TdFs, TR3s… The list goes on and demonstrates what a fascinating cauldron of competitive spirit and legend the SCCA was in the United States in the mid-late 1950s.

In later years, the car returned to the UK, and in 2003 a comprehensive restoration of this charming sports racing car was commenced by its then-owner, a Mr Barnes.

The current vendor purchased this exceptional matching numbers Healey a numbe of years ago. The car is finished in Old English White over Lobelia Blue, one of just 108 cars finished in this colour scheme, and is also fitted with both a heater and laminated windscreen. This Healey has been fitted with lightened and balanced Denis Welch flywheel, which significantly improves throttle response and tick over. The car is quick and agile, and with a fantastic exhaust note. All the elements of the drivetrain have been recently restored including new U/J’s, competition clutch and thrust bearing, with the car covering only a handful of miles since. It also received at the same time a service plus engine and gearbox detailing. The car has also been fitted with lightweight Dynolite alternator.

The car comes complete with an excellent history file with many of the receipts from a fastidious owner, as well as some photographs of the restoration work and Heritage Certificate. There is also a copy of the 2011 article in Classic Car Buyer where the car was road tested.

This stunning car in excellent condition qualifies for historic car rallies and has been fully prepped for the Mille and fitted with the necessary upgrades. Most recently the current vendor completed the 2017 GP Nuvolari without any faults. Complete with UK V5C registration this Healey is ready to be campaigned on the Historic circuit or driven enthusiastically down country lanes.

2020-02-12 08:52:04 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 2/20

www.coys.co.uk/cars/1955-austin-healey-100-m-2

Auction description:

ESTIMATE £50,000- £60,000

Auction London Classic Car Show 22nd February 2020

Lot Number 128

Reg. Number TBA

Chassis Number BN1L227475

1955 Austin Healey 100/M

Otherwise same as above.

2025-01-30 15:59:00 | pauls writes:

Car returned to auction in '24

auctions.doreandrees.com/catalogue/lot/76b61d93f51143ad954a7abd20b43d18/ad74375b ...

Auction description:

Castle Combe Autumn Classic Castle Combe, UK 21 September, 2024

Lot 31

1955 Austin-Healey 100 Le Mans

Registration Number: 890 UXD

Chassis Number: BN1L227475

Recorded Mileage: 14,750 miles

- Converted when new to Le Mans specification 

- Former property of SCCA national secretary Lester Seasongood, SCCA history

- Approved for Mille Miglia, GP Nuvolari entrant

- Matching numbers engine 

This fascinating example was purchased in 1955 from Donald Healey Garages by Lester Seasongood. Seasongood was an insurance broker, active competitor, Senior Officer in the Sports Car Club of America and an area steward, with a high profile role in the SCCA’s activities through to the mid-1970s. A vibrant motor racing culture, SCCA grids comprised all the great European and American sports cars of the period, with intrepid amateurs and professionals alike all competing in Porsches, MGs, Healeys, Corvettes, Ferraris, Maseratis and so on. 

Upon purchase it is thought the conversion to Le Mans specification was undertaken by Donald Healey Garages in Warwick, and before the car’s onward journey to the United States. A period photograph shows Lester Seasongood upon arrival in his new 100/4, with Le Mans modifications such as the louvred bonnet with straps and front spot light. By 1957 the Healey was in the hands of fellow competitor and editor of the St. Louis post, Mr. Jim Lawrence. Lawrence campaigned the car before a number of years later selling to Mr. Phil Larson in 1968. 

By the early 2000s the 100/4 was back in the UK, in 2003 being restored by its then-owner, a Mr. Mark Barnes. The photo file documents this restoration, alongside the car’s conversion to RHD specification. The Healey retains its original engine ‘1B/227475-M’, which now benefits from a lightened and balanced Denis Welch flywheel, matched to a 4-speed gearbox and with front disc brakes, servo, competition clutch and thrust bearing, a lightweight Dynamite alternator, expansion tank and high ratio rear axle.

Our vendor has owned the Healey for 10 or more years, joining a small collection of period competition-focused cars. The 100/4 has been his partner of choice for the Gran Premio Nuvolari events, more recently being stored carefully and used occasionally.

In preparation for a possible Mille Miglia entry, in 2018 our vendor went through the process to put the Healey onto the 1000 Registro, now valid til 2028. The car has been pre-approved as eligible for entry into the Mille Miglia, but was sadly not entered at the time due to Covid.

The comprehensive history file contains various receipts, a photographic record of the restoration, FIVA identity card, Heritage Certificate and UK V5C registration.

Finished in Old English White over Lobelia Blue (one of just 108 such cars in this scheme), this restored and lightly modified car is quick, agile, well sorted and hugely enjoyable to drive.