'Oldest' right-hand drive Austin Healey up for sale

THE OLDEST right-hand drive Austin Healey in existence is to be sold at auction within days.

Specialist car auctioneers Coys is to sell the car among other highly sought-after models as part of the True Greats event in London on December 3.

The 16th of 20 pre-production Healeys built before the model went into production is the oldest surviving example of a much-loved British classic, with genuine racing heritage and a lightweight bodyshell.

The all-aluminium shell was a feature unique to the pre-production models, among 50 or so differences from the eventual production-spec car.

This car was hand built at Cape Works in Warwick, before series production moved to Longbridge.

Its original owner was Betty Haig, great-niece of Field Marshal Haig and a talented rally driver. Just three weeks after taking delivery of the Healey in 1953 she entered it into the Great Auclum Speed Trials.

She raced it for a second time the following year at the Paris to St Raphael Rally, winning the ‘over two litres’ class and gaining plaudits for beating a pair of highly-fancied Lancias.

The historic Healey will go into the auction with an estimate of £100,000 to £130,000.

Chris Routledge, Managing Partner of Coys, said: “This car is arguably the most significant Austin Healey to be offered on the open market this decade. It is a unique opportunity to inherit a competition car rallied by a true legend like Betty Haig.”

By Press Association reporter