1954 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 with Heritage certificate, early three-speed-overdrive car

Why we picked it

Why we picked it: the BN1 is the first production Austin-Healey 100, with the 2.7-liter four, a fold-flat windshield and the three-speed gearbox with overdrive on all three gears, built only from 1953 to 1955 before the four-speed BN2 took over. This US-spec, left-hand-drive car on Hagerty Marketplace is offered by West Coast Classics in Torrance, has been refinished in Carmine Red over black vinyl with red piping, and comes with a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate and a clean Oklahoma title.

The bid is $9,000 with 8 bids so far, and the auction ends November 17. Comparable driver-grade BN1s have sold for $32,000 to $38,800 over the last two years, so there is a lot of room before this one reaches market money. Expect the bidding to climb well past today's figure, and set your limit from the comps, not the current number. The listing does not say whether it runs and drives, so ask before you bid.

The value check

The current bid is $10,700. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $32,000–$45,000, so the middle of the market is about $38,500. That put this car 72% under. Bids usually climb in the final hours, so the discount will likely shrink.

Driver-grade BN1s that needed cosmetic work sold for $32,000 to $38,800 in 2025-26 (BaT, Hagerty), and a nicer one failed to sell at a $46,000 high bid on Hagerty in Dec 2024. The current $9,000 bid is about 77% under the $38,500 midpoint, but there are 9 days left and bids usually climb a lot.

Where the numbers come from:

• 1954 Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1, Hagerty Marketplace, sold $38,788, Mar 2026
• 1954 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 BN1L221380, BaT, sold $37,250, Apr 2025 (classic.com)
• 1954 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 BN1L151000, BaT, sold $33,000, May 2025 (classic.com)
• 1954 Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1L219859, Hagerty, not sold at $46,000, Dec 2024 (classic.com)

What to check

• The seller says the car is titled under body number 49655165 from a plate under the hood, and an aftermarket Austin serial tag sits under it; confirm the title matches the chassis number BN1L219223 and the Heritage certificate before bidding.
• Running and driving condition, engine number and originality are not stated; ask for a cold-start and driving video and the engine number.
• Healey 100 chassis rails, outriggers, floors, sills and the bottom of the doors and rear shroud rust; ask for underside photos or an inspection.
• Driver's seat upholstery is torn and interior surfaces are worn, per the listing.
• 2,600 miles is shown but total mileage is unknown.
• Reserve status and buyer's fees are not stated; confirm both, plus shipping from Torrance.

Making it drive like new

A BN1 takes well to quiet upgrades that keep the look: a front disc brake conversion and an alternator with an electronic ignition fix the weak points, a modern radiator with an electric fan helps in traffic, and a five-speed conversion is popular, though keeping the original three-speed overdrive gearbox with the car protects value.