Rare Healey Silverstone for sale at auction

A rare 1950 Healey Silverstone will be sold at auction in next month. The car, one of only 105 made, is part of the Silverstone Classic sale on 29-30 July.

The aluminium-bodied lightweight ‘Clubman Racer’ features a 105bhp Riley 2.5-litre ‘big four’ engine, and is Mille-Miglia eligible. Offered by Silverstone Auctions, the car 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. Hodges 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.

Power comes from a 105bhp Riley 2.5-litre ‘big four’.

This example was discovered in dry storage in 1998 - where it had been since 1966 - by the current family owners.

Five years’ restoration work took the Healey back to its original specification. The odometer reads 10,501 miles and while this can’t be fully substantiated, an MOT certificate from 1986 records the mileage at 5000 and the condition of the car suggests light use.

A ‘giant killer’ thanks to its low power-to-weight ratio, Healey Silverstones was popular on the 1950s international motor sport, achieving successes on the Coupe des Alpes, Liege-Rome-Liege, and Manx Cup.

With chassis number E64, the Silverstone was first registered on 17 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.

Spare wheel doubles as a bumper.

To find out more about the 1950 Healey Silverstone and the Silverstone Auctions Classic Sale visit silverstoneauctions.com.