2022-12-15 09:50:16 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1958-austin-healey-1006-g2QGp8_aaid=a5ce63ed-6419-48b8-adb6-8692f74daf04&bsft_eid=e63dbf22-cfe5-49ad-a64 ...

Seller's description:

Austin Healey

Colour Blue

Odometer 63,212 Miles

Engine size 3000

Town Rome

Seller Type Private

Location International

Country Italy

Purchased in 1958 in Hamburg by US soldier stationed in Germany from Karl Rossler in Bitburg 

Owned by first owner until 2016, when the current owner purchased it

Therefore, it has had only two owners in the past 64 years

It returned to the US with the first owner when his deployment came to an end

The current owner purchased the car in the US in 2016 and brought it to the UK, before exporting the car to Italy in 2020

The owner has a record of the car’s maintenance and restoration going back to 1963

Recently, extensive work has been carried out to bring the car up to an excellent standard, both mechanically and cosmetically

Original Hardback owner’s handbook included

The Interior

Seats reupholstered in blue leather with white piping

Excellent original instruments

Carpets replaced throughout

New hood and carpets

Opening the door to this Healey reveals an exquisitely crafted scene, with new leather and carpeting throughout. The seats are covered in dark blue hide with contrasting white piping and the leather continues onto the transmission tunnel and door cards. 

The driver is presented with a leather-bound steering wheel, which sits in front of an elliptical instrument cluster featuring wonderful original Smiths gauges and Lucas pull switches. The leatherette covering the dashboard remains in excellent condition, and behind this can be seen an original glass screen wash bottle, which can be very hard to come by.

Deep blue carpets were fitted by the current owner and remain in very good condition. Similarly, a new tonneau and side screens were made, along with the hood which is in great condition

The Exterior 

Sills rebuilt

Fully sand blasted and painted blue and ivory

Hood, tonneau and side screens replaced

The vendor informs us that this 100/6 was originally painted in one shade of blue, but it has recently been resprayed in a very attractive combination of blue and ivory. The car was reportedly sand blasted back to bare metal, with all necessary repairs to the bodywork being carried out, then painted in this fetching colour scheme. The paint remains in fantastic condition throughout, with hardly a blemish to be found. 

The chrome plating was left largely untouched, as it was decided that it was in generally good condition and some of the car’s sense of history wanted to be preserved. There is of course some light pitting to be found, but this certainly doesn’t detract from the look of the car. 

Running on steel wheels with large chrome hubcaps, the car looks great, and the tyres are said to retain good tread. We think the steel wheels particularly suit the car, but many Austin-Healeys of this vintage have been fitted with wire wheels. Underneath, the body appears to be in good condition and we’re told that the sills have been completely replaced on both sides. 

The Mechanics 

Engine rebuilt in 1975 to Healey 3000 specification

Wheel hubs and rear leaf springs replaced

Said to drive magnificently, with amazing acceleration and a fantastic exhaust note

LeMans engine kit

Back in 1975, this Healey was reportedly subject to an engine rebuild which included replacing the engine block and cylinder head with later items from the larger 3000 engine. This increased the car’s power and performance, along with the twin SU HS6 carburettors which were fitted at the same time. 

The vendor tells us that since the car was purchased in 2016, they have replaced the rear leaf springs and the wheel bearings, as well as fitting electronic ignition. The fuel tank was replaced in 2012 and there is a long list of other work carried out since the car was purchased in 1958. 

The car reportedly drives extremely well, with its upgraded engine providing plenty of power. It feels light, accelerates well and steers directly. The vendor also tells us that the drum brakes function very well.