One of only 105 ever built, a rare 1950 Healey Silverstone will go under the hammer at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the Silverstone Classic, on 29th – 30th July. The aluminium-bodied lightweight ‘Clubman Racer’ features a 105 bhp Riley 2.5 litre ‘Big Four’ engine, and is Mille-Miglia eligible. Offered by Silverstone Auctions, the Healey Silverstone is expected to sell for between £165,000 and £185,000.
The Silverstone was created by the Donald Healey Motor Company between 1949 and 1950 and designed by Len Hodges who created a lightweight two-seater in aluminium with cycle wings, and headlights mounted close together behind the radiator grill for better aerodynamics. A unique feature is the rear mounted spare wheel which protrudes from the rear and acts as a bumper.
This example was discovered in dry storage in 1998 – where it had spent most of its life since 1966 – by the current family owners, and work began immediately to restore the Healey Silverstone to its original specification. The work was completed in 2003 and the car used sparingly ever since. The odometer reads just 10,501 miles and while this can’t be fully substantiated, an MOT certificate from 1986 records the mileage at 5,000 and the condition of the car suggests light use over its lifetime.
A ‘giant killer’ thanks to its low power-to-weight ratio, Healey Silverstones enjoyed immense popularity in the fifties in international motor sport, achieving successes on the Coupe des Alpes, Liege-Rome-Liege, and Manx Cup. The British sports car introduced many future stars into the motor racing world including future Formula One driver Tony Brooks.
“We’re delighted to be offering such a stunning British sports car at the Silverstone circuit, and at and event and location that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Healey Silverstone”, says consignor Will Smith, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions. “It retains a wonderful road presence today and it’s extremely rare.”
With chassis number E64, the Silverstone was first registered on 17th July 1950 with the registration number NUG 918. The engine number B4520 in the original buff log book is clearly stamped on the Riley block.
To find out more about the 1950 Healey Silverstone and the Silverstone Auctions Classic Sale please visit: https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1950-healey-silverstone–9987.
Notes
Formed in 2011, Silverstone Auctions is a world-class, specialist auction house for the sale of classic cars, modern supercars, all types of competition cars, modern and historic motorcycles as well as automotive memorabilia.
The company holds the exclusive automotive auction rights for Silverstone circuit and host sales as stand-alone events as well as an integrated element of some of Europe’s biggest motorsport events such as the Silverstone Classic Festival.
In addition to sales at the circuit, it also host a number of auctions each year at other major classic car events including the NEC Classic Motor Show, Race Retro and Salon Privé.
