Registration No: NWD 981
Chassis No: G525
MOT: Exempt

• Understood to be the only Healey Sports Convertible fitted with the 3848cc Nash Ambassador 'Le Mans Dual Jet Fire' Engine
• Presented in 'barn find' condition in need of restoration
• Described as being in exceptionally well-preserved original order
• Presented with history file that includes both the original buff logbook and continuation buff log book

Due to a chance meeting between Donald Healey and Nash Kelvinator CEO George W. Mason whilst they were crossing the Atlantic aboard the Queen Elizabeth in December 1949, the Nash-Healey was born as a US-Market only model that was considered as 'the first American sportscar to be introduced by a major manufacturer since the 1920s'. Powered by a Nash Ambassador 3848cc OHV 'Dual Jet Fire' straight-six engine utlilising a bespoke alloy cylinder head which was allied to a three-speed manual plus Borg Warner overdrive transmission, the smoothly shaped bodywork was penned by Gerry Coker and crafted by Panelcraft of Birmingham in lightweight aluminium which foreshadowed that of the Austin-Healey 100.

From 1951, Alvis teamed up with Healey to offer their 3 litre engine and gearbox as fitted to the TB21, and a new chassis known as the 'G-Type' was designed to accommodate this power unit. Now offered to the UK Market, this model was marketed as the Healey Sports Convertible and it is believed that merely 28 of this chassis type were produced. The body (again produced by Panelcraft) was subtly different from that of the earlier Nash-Healey and featured lockable doors, a convenience rarely found on British sports cars of the period. It was equally unusual that a heater and radio were standard equipment as well as wind-up windows and the sofa-like leather bench seat had room for three abreast. It is estimated that 25 of the 28 produced were fitted with the Alvis power and transmission unit, however Healey are understood to have experimented with an Armstrong Siddeley unit in one example and the very last G-Type chassis was fitted with the Nash power train from the US built cars in another, which is the example that is now offered for sale by our vendor.

According to the first buff logbook on file, 'NWD 981' was first registered to the Donald Healey Motor Co Ltd on 30th September 1953 with the engine number 'H 63381' and was sold later that year to its first private owner, a Mr. David Alexander Gray of Chester-Le-Street, Durham who sold the car in 1955. 'NWD 981' was under the custodianship of four further owners, with the continuation logbook stating the latest known tax date as April 1968. It is understood that the car was bought in 1985 by Andrew Currie who also owned the Nash-Healey Le Mans FHC Race Car purchased the car to scavenge for parts. The race car was sold to the USA, but the relatively intact 'NWD 981' was sold in 1986 to the current keeper, Mr Richard Chamberlain. Mr Chamberlain purchased the car as a non-runner with the intention of restoration and there is a large amount of correspondence with various Healey and Nash related clubs and businesses attempting to piece together what the car was and also to buy the appropriate parts for the restoration. Unfortunately, life got well and truly in the way prior to the restoration being completed and although there are photographs of the engine block and cylinder head being worked on it was never put back together and was put away with the hopes of continuing at some stage. Unfortunately, due to the passing of Mr Chamberlain, the car is now offered for sale by his widow as a project in need of restoration that is believed largely complete.

To be sold strictly as viewed, this one-off Healey presents an opportunity to own one of the rarest British sports cars ever produced and would give any prospective restorer a rewarding challenge.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430