1956 Austin Healey 100-4

Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

none

Clear

Gasoline

Up for auction is my 1956 Austin Healey 100-4. I purchased this car on April 22, 1978 for $3,500 from Ralph Twombly in Manchester, New Hampshire. Ralph worked for the phone company during the day and worked on Austin Healeys at night. In his yard were rows of garages, former chicken coupes I suspect, filled with about 17 Austin Healeys, all painted red. His wife was threatening divorce unless he sold them. I picked the 100-4. Ralph got to keep a 1958 100-6 two seater, red of course. I purchased the car with 45,500 miles back in 1978 and during the 33 years that I owned the car I have put on only about 12,000 miles. During the 1980’s it was off the road for the most part. I was working full time and going to school at night, married and raising a family. During the 90’s I started to drive the car again. I found a great British mechanic in Somerville; his shop was called “Plug ‘n Spanner Garage”. With vintage Bentleys and XKE’s in his shop I knew he was qualified. The car always ran great when it left his shop. One of the first things he did was switch the car from positive ground to negative ground. During the 2000’s the red paint job, that I assume Ralph did himself, was flaking off, and the car started to look kind of shabby. In 2004 the car was repainted. At that time the front fenders were replaced with new ones. An aluminum louvered hood was added, replacing the old steel one. I also got 72 spoke chrome wire wheels. Now the car was looking good but it was starting to act its age. There is a small chip in the paint on the driver's door. My wife's bicycle fell against the car and a small mark where the driver door opened too wide hitting the front fender. There are pictures of both of these, monor but I thought I'd tell you about it. No rust whatsoever anywhere. I don't drive in the rain, I even removed the convertible top, which is also included in the sale. The top is the original top, a little worn, but functional. The top when installed was rubbing against the back of the newly upholstered drivers seat. I also have the original side curtains that are in need of rehab. I never used them. New top of the line tonneau cover was just installed by Steve Mackay last week. On January 16, 2006 I trailered the car to Healy Surgeons in Takoma Park, Maryland. They rebuilt the transmission and overdrive and put a new clutch and pressure plate in at the same time. Healey Surgeons also installed a new water pump. The old one was making a screaming noise. Now it could go, but had trouble stopping. Enter Steve Mackay from Wakefield Mass. Steve has worked on a lot of MG’s and when I first went there, in his garage, was a 1956 Austin Healey stripped down to the frame with the wheels, suspension and engine looking like it was brand new. He later completed that 100-4 and it won 1st prize at its first meet. Steve MacKay in April 2007 installed new brakes, did some front end work, new sway bar and installed new shocks. He also installed new carpet, heat shield, reupholstered seats, new seat belts. He also got rid on the points and went with electronic ingintion. On October 9, 2008 Steve MacKay removed the dash for painting and sent the combination water temp/oil pressure gauge to Nisonger Instruments for repair. On October 16, 2008 Steve Mackay replaced the fuel tank that had developed a split on the top. I could always smell gas around the trunk. My last visit to Steve was March 31, 2011where he freed a carb jet and installed new spark plugs, distributor cap & rotor, ignition wires and a new coil. The car is running great at this point. He did a complete compression and leak down test and his report states that “compression was within specs, Leak down was marginal”. This means that some time in the future, the car will need a valve job and perhaps rings. He didn’t feel that it was necessary at this time. I drove to New Hampshire yesterday, the car runs great. It cruised between 70 and 80 easily while in overdrive in 4th gear. I have the original title from 1978, 100-4 repair manual, sissors jack, original 48 spoke wire wheels and lead hammer to take the tires off with. I'm selling the car to purchase another sports car that I have been looking for and finally found. I'll miss this Healey, the first car I ever bought. Please let me know if you have any questions. For more pictures click here https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Rd6ppeHeBtjWf_Z4CL9BPYS1JHBNBjNxi7Njy-EPT5U?feat=directlink Inspection - I encourage you or an agent to inspect this car and we will make all efforts to accommodate that process. This vehicle is being sold "as is" and it is the buyers complete obligation. There is no warranty on this vehicle. Payment - A non-refundable deposit of $1000 is due within 48 hours of the auction close and the balance within 7 days of the auctions end. Buyer is responsible for all financing arrangements. All title and paperwork will be completed within 48 hours of receipt of cash or bank wire transfer, paypal is acceptible. Costs associated with express shipment of documents will be responsibility of the buyer. Shipping - Buyer is to arrange and pay for all shipping costs. I can assist in the coordination of transport pickup. The car is to be picked up within 30 days. Additional storage charges will be made after 30 days. On Apr-10-11 at 17:54:35 PDT, seller added the following information: Updated to include Vehicle Identification Number and update link to extra photos 4/10/11 For more pictures click here https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Rd6ppeHeBtjWf_Z4CL9BPYS1JHBNBjNxi7Njy-EPT5U?feat=directlink Vehicle Identification number is 544110180 On Apr-10-11 at 18:09:38 PDT, seller added the following information: The correct link for more pictures is https://picasaweb.google.com/baseballfan52/AustinHealey?authkey=Gv1sRgCMid9v_P36_yjgE&feat=directlinkOn Apr-10-11 at 18:36:00 PDT, seller added the following information: Movable windsheild - Juat a note that the 100-4 has a windshield that locks into the "racing position". Some of the pictures show it lowered. It's easy to move, there is a fastner on each side of the windshield, when both are losened, the windshield can be raised or lowered.On Apr-11-11 at 14:27:12 PDT, seller added the following information: I've added 16 more pictures of the bottom of the car and door sills. I never looked at the bottom before, looks like it could be spiffed up a bit, but the frame is solid. Click here to see the pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/baseballfan52/2011_04_11?authkey=Gv1sRgCMnXuoT8mbTfjAE&feat=directlinkOn Apr-11-11 at 14:56:37 PDT, seller added the following information: I took a picture of the VIN to confirm that I had it right, It appears that this is not the original engine, the firewall says engine #228137, the plate on the engine has B232179M, I'm no expert, but it would appear that perhaps this is not the original engine? I can say that this was the engine in the car when I bought it back in 1978. Please let me know if you have any questions. Here are 3 more pictures of the VIN and engine https://picasaweb.google.com/baseballfan52/HealeyPics?authkey=Gv1sRgCNKIzOC20vLRqwE&feat=directlinkOn Apr-17-11 at 19:56:46 PDT, seller added the following information: This item is advertised for sale locally, and I reserve the right to end the auction early and sell locally.