1954 Austin-Healey 100 BN1

Not only is this stunning Austin-Healey 100 BN1 a genuinely rare beast, being an early, original UK right hand drive example, but it also has one of the most comprehensive history files we have seen for some time. With known history from new, it has enjoyed fastidious ownership since its restoration back in the late 80’s including being for the past seventeen years the property of Jamie Knight, the former Chairman of Motoring at Bonhams. It has also featured on the cover of Classic & Sports Car magazine as part of an eight page article on 50’s sportscars.

But perhaps what really stands out about this Austin-Healey 100 is not only the way it sits and looks but the way it performs. It really is a joy to drive. So, if you have been searching for a properly restored and subsequently well maintained Austin-Healey 100, we would recommend you take a closer look at this rather fine example. You will not be disappointed.

About TKN 888

The Heritage certificate that accompanies TKN 888 (which happens to be its original registration number issued on the 1st of October 1954) shows it was built on the 14th September 1954 as a RHD home market car and was finished as it is today, in Healey Blue, with a blue interior. It is important to point out that the vast majority of Austin-Healey’s went over seas either in LHD or RHD form to destinations such as America and Australia. It is therefore rare to find a genuine RHD home market example as we have here. The selling agents were Wallace Motors and the first owner was Airmesco Products Ltd.

The history file contains an older style buff log book that shows a few changes of ownership from 1961 to 1974. Not much is known about TKN 888 then until the mid 1980’s when it was purchased by Wilstoration Limited needing restoration. A letter in the history file from them dated 1991 helps explain the circumstances around the restoration. TKN 888 was in store with them for a while until it was purchased by one of their customers a Mr Prosser, who instructed Wilstoration to go ahead with the full restoration. There is a photographic record of this extensive work. In 1990 TKN 888 came up for sale via a Lambert & Foster auction in Kent. It was purchased then by a Mr Allum and the actual sales catalogue from 1990 is in the history file. There is plenty of correspondence during Mr Allums ownership until he decided to sell via a Brooks sale at Beaulieu in 1997. Again, we have a copy of this auction catalogue. This would turn out to be an interesting crossing of paths for TKN 888 with Jamie Knight the future owner, as he then sold it at auction to Orchid Cars of Amesbury. A few months later in the same year former Army office and Rolls Royce aero engineer Giles Harvey acquired TKN 888. In 2005 Jamie Knight of Bonhams decided it was time for him to acquire an Austin Healey 100 having taken a keen interest in the marque for a good number of years. At this point it is perhaps best to hear what Mr Knight had to say on the whole process………….

“My interest in Healey started in 1988 when, at Christie’s, I handled the sale of ‘67 ARX’, the ex-Works 3000 Rally car. I had the privilege of meeting Geoff, Bic, and other members of the Healey families and became hooked. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to have handled any number of important Healeys, including Works Rally and Sebring 3000s, Sebring and Le Mans Sprites, ex-Works and customer 100Ss – including the ex-works Lance Macklin ’55 Le Mans car and the ex-Donald Healey 100S Coupe.

I always told myself that my first classic car would be a Healey 100 and it became a reality with TKN 888 in 2005.

I had been looking for a while but most of my visits to classified advertisers were a waste of time: they were generally over-described or too non-original. So, I joined the AHOC and placed a ‘Wanted’ advertisement in the magazine. I got a few replies, but one in particular sounded promising. It was from a thoroughly nice gentleman called Giles Harvey who said he was thinking of selling and thought his car might suit me. I had no idea at the time that I was in for a surprise.

When I met Giles a few days later I realised it was a car I had previously handled, selling it for the owner at the Brooks Beaulieu auction in 1997. We sold it to Andrew Booth of Orchard Cars and Giles acquired it from Andrew. Giles was just the sort of gentleman from whom I wanted to buy a car: his background as a former Army officer and a Rolls-Royce aero-engineer gave me total confidence that the car had been well looked after.

I didn’t want (nor could I afford) a mint restored car. I wanted a car in good condition that I could drive, enjoy and not be too precious about.

I’ve taken it on Continental tours and Club meets and get-togethers but mostly just enjoyed driving it in the countryside with my wife – more often than not with a pub as our destination.

A fair bit of work has been done in recent years, with Classic Motor Hub, Thornley Kelham and Woolmer Classic Engineering. These works include event preparation, brakes, clutch, suspension, lighting, electrics (including conversion to electronic ignition) and of course servicing according to requirements. Invoices for these and other works are on file. I also had the car re-painted a few years ago.”

We have totalled up the invoices during Mr Knights ownership and “a fair bit of work” has amounted to nearly £20,000 (which does not include the repaint) and most of this within the past 3 years or so. None of this was structural work by the way, just overhauling the drive train, suspension, steering, brakes, electrics etc. some of these works included the fitment of an aluminium cylinder head, a new aluminium fuel tank, an aluminium baffled sump and electronic ignition.

Earlier this year the current owner acquired TKN 888. He has a collection of mainly Jaguar’s and Lotus’s both road and race. We recently sold him another Lotus (which was not really in his plans, but he couldn’t resist!) and with space now an issue for him, something had to give. So rather unexpectedly but fortunately for the next lucky custodian, TKN 888 is here for sale.

TKN 888 Today

The pictures you see are current having been taken recently and they give a good overall view of TKN 888’s condition. The restoration has had time to mellow and there is a natural, honest feel about the car. Nothing is over restored and there is a nice patination throughout. Even the seats with their worn edges look and feel right. So, whilst TKN 888 has great “kerb presence” it is not restoration fresh and therefore does show some signs of age and use.

The paintwork has a good shine and deep lustre to it, but its not perfect. There is the odd blemish to be found and the odd one or two small stress type cracks but nothing too unsightly. It was repainted we believe around 2015.

Whilst TKN 888 is achingly, aesthetically pleasing from every angle it is perhaps the driving experience that is just as exciting and enjoyable to immerse yourself in. You really feel part of this car when you slide in. With a little choke it starts first time and ticks over nicely with a soft burble. With a little temperature you set off and immediately everything feels right and its clear that the investment in TKN 888 has been well spent. It pulls nicely and selecting the gears is easy and light. The overdrive on 2nd and 3rd works as it should. Its very sure footed and it rides any bumps in the road with ease. The oil pressure is good and the water temperature stays constant. The brakes when required pull up in a nice straight line.

On a bright sunny day recently, we took TKN 888 on “test drive” to our nearest town, Marlborough and it was great fun. But what really took us back was the amount of attention it received from passers by whilst we grabbed a coffee. And that’s one of the joys of classic cars, the conversations they start up with people you don’t know!

As previously mentioned TKN 888 comes with one of the most comprehensive history files we have seen for some time. And one of the most charming examples is an AA Motorists Logbook which Giles Harvey started in 1997 and Jamie Knight continued until 2022 which details all the cars journeys with mileage and fuel consumption it has been on during those 25 years. There is a copy of the Classic & Sports Car magazine plus a CD with the images on it. A service manual. An owner’s manual, two parts catalogues, a Bonhams in house magazine featuring Jamie Knight with him pictured sitting in TKN 888 and extensive maintenance history. And lots of correspondence from previous owners. There is also a small collection of spare service parts including a standard starter motor which was changed recently for a high torque one.

Please feel free to contact us to arrange a viewing and test drive. We are available by appointment 7 days a week.

We would also consider a part exchnage of a lower value. So, what have you?

£SOLD