Earls Court motor show Austin-Healey to go under the hammer at Festival of Speed

A 1955 Austin-Healey that appeared at the Earls Court motor show is heading to auction. The restored 100 BN2 will be offered for sale at the Goodwood Festival of Speed auction on 30 June.

Originally finished in Florida Green over Old English White, TAC 787 boasted Florida Green interior trim and upholstery. But despite its motor show provenance, it was discovered by its current owner, Steve Norton, in a sorry state.

Norton, who owns Austin-Healey specialist Cape International, set about bringing the car back to its former glory. Norton also turned detective to discover how the car went from show star to rusty wreck.

For the first decade of its life, the car’s travels and service history were meticulously documented Receipts detail every oil change, engine overhaul and clutch assembly. Images of ‘TAC 787’ at Lake Garda in Italy show that the car enjoyed Continental tours during the early 1960s before being sold, via the classifieds in The Times newspaper, to a gentleman in Woking.

Between 1965 and 1997, TAC 787 is thought to have had three further owners before being discovered by Norton. Norton realised the significance of the car (‘show car’ could still be seen written in pencil on some of the fittings) and dedicated years to its restoration.

In June 2016, ‘TAC 787’ was entered in the Austin-Healey Club national concours and duly won both the ‘100 class’ and ‘best of show’.

Auctioneers Bonhams estimate this historic Austin-Healey could achieve more than £100,000 when it goes under the hammer.