1955 Austin Healey

Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Manual

Gasoline

Warning: This car is not for the novus car enthusiast. No joke! Only an experienced driver/hot rodder should consider purchasing this car. It is very drivable, but very, very quick. It is without question the quickest car I have ever owned and I have had some pretty nice fast cars in my time. If one is not careful managing the horse power one could easily find themselves in trouble. It is seriously suggested that only an experienced adult driver take under consideration purchasing this little rocket.You are "NOT" viewing a kit car. You are viewing an original professionally built 55 Austin Healey 100-4 BN1. Originally purchased in California and spent it's entire life in California with the exception of this last year and a half. Starting in the early 60's it was road raced for a few years with an early 283 Chevy small block. Stored and used little until 1997 when it was professionally built and altered to accomodate a proper V8 conversion. The car has had approximately 4,000 miles since the engine was completed. This car represents a classic example of what was commonly done with big Healeys in the 60's particularly in California matching up American muscle with light weight English autos. This a true American Hot Rod in it's purest form. I would just assume that this car go back to California where it was reborn. Please note the particulars about the car below.Paint and body:The body is steel/aluminum except the hood, which is a fiberglass after market levered hood modeled after the 100M. The body panels seams were filled and fiberglassed over to smooth the body lines out. Very well done with no stress cracks The lower portion of the front nose of the car is fiberglass. The rear inner fenders have not been tubbed. The rest of the outer body is original. Hundreds hours of fabrication has been done to make the car what it is today. Stainless steel was used to replace the original firewall. The frame is original and rust free and only slightly altered to accomodate the SBC V8 and transmission. The under car is very clean. No top or side curtains. The paint is a 7 out of 10 with a few chips that have been touched up. Running gear: Engine: The engine was professionally built by BACA Speed Shop in South San Francisco in 1997 for a cost of 10K. 1970, 4 bolt main, LT1 Corvette block 350, cased iron Dart heads, Dart Sportsman high rise aluminum intake manifold, Proform 830CFM mechanical double pumper carb, no choke. 10.5 to 1 compression, forged crank, rods, TRW forged aluminum pop up pistons (build sheet/receipts available). Home made headers. CNC hydraulic throttle. Oil cooler with 8 qrt, 9 oz oil capacity, 7 quart race oil pan above frame. Clean install. Conversion engine mounts were done professionally with proper angle and clearance. Puts out approximately 390 HP, which is plenty for this 2,000 pound rocket.Transmission: Muncie M21 close ratio 4 speed (totally rebuilt 500 miles ago with new HD clutch) with rebuilt Hurst shifter. Lakewood scattershield, Hydraulic clutch with short track type throw out bearing (Tilton Engineering), (no slave or clutch arm), direct feed through bellhousing to throw out bearing with clutch safety switch due to TR7 peddle assembly. Very clean and quick shifting. Driveline safety loop.Front suspension: Original front suspension beefed up with later Austin Healey disc brakes. Power brake booster is TR7 as well as TR7 rack and pinion steering. All rebuilt. Regular piston shocks.Rear end: Ford 9 inch narrowed with new 370 gear ratio with posi-traction clutch (new 500 miles ago). The rear end was set up correctly with adjustable radius rods from axle shaft to frame. Power disc brakes. All engineering and fabrication was done professionally with no backyard fabrication or use of original Healey drivetrain. Original leaf springs. Regular piston shocks.Exhaust: New 2 1/2 inch exhaust with new Super trapps wrapped with fiberglass header tape from headers to Super trapps. Sounds awesome!Interior: The entire interior is new and looks very nice. Original Austin Healey 3000 seats frames with new seat pans. New original Smith AC Cobra gauges with mechanical oil temp, oil pressure and temp. Speedo is mechanical and electric stepper tach like the old days. 7 gauges, Speedo, Tach, oil pressure, oil temp, fuel, amp, water temp. The dash is a very rare polished aluminum early 53 Austin healey 100-4 that is two piece, which was available only in the early production models before they went to a one piece stamped dash. The shift handle is Hurst with a 68 Camaro boot and a 69 Camaro chrome bezel. Beautifully restored 13 inch stainless steel wood steering wheel with quick release. Before the interior was installed a layer of heat resistant material was used to keep down noise and heat. Wheels: Brand new Radir 5 spoke 3 rib wheels with satined out centers with pinwheel spinners. Gives the car that late sixties look and theme. Fronts are 3.5 X 15 inch wheels with MT bias drag tires. Rears are 8 X 15 with MT Sportsman Pro bias street/strip wrinkle wall tires. Nice set up and look.Note: As stated the engine was built 10 years ago, but has only 4,000 miles. The following represents recent work done to the car in the last 5 months: Heads, intake and headers removed. Upper engine gaskets replaced, heads plained with new valve seats, headers bead blasted and painted with hi temp header paint. Transmission, clutch, differential gears and clutch pack and complete interior all new or rebuilt. New gauges, restored dash, steering wheel and custom quick release hub. The car was Dyno tuned to dial in the engine for peak performance. Even though this car is a blast to drive and very much enjoy owning it I am selling the car for the right reasons as I am building my dream car.... a 68 427 Dana Camaro with a budget only to own one car. If you want a car to turn heads, own a car that that no one else has, remind yourself of the 60's, have fun with your hot rod buddies and give yourself a thrill on occasion to remind yourself that you are alive than this car is worthy of your consideration.This beautiful 55 Austin Healey is forsale with consideration of stopping the auction for realistic offers and selling outright. For serious buyers only....feel free to call and discuss particulars about the car. If you are considering building or buying a Healey V8 conversion car this ride is certainly worthy of your consideration. Why build one when you can own one today and start enjoying now. The effort, man hours, money and custom fabrication to build this car is a tall order and very costly. To build this car from the ground up today using a solid original early 100-4 would cost upwards to 70K to do it right with labor. If one would like to purchase the only way I will reveal the asking price is if an interested party calls me directly. I will not respond to emails asking for the selling price or reserve with the exception of over seas inquiries. Plenty of more pictures available upon request.Disclaimer: This car is being sold in "AS IS" condition with no said or implied warranties or guarantees.