1953 Nash-Healey Roadster

Coachwork by Pininfarina

252ci OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin Carter Carburetors
140bhp at 4,000rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
Independent Front Suspension – Solid Rear Axle with Coil Springs
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*One of 507 Nash-Healeys produced
*Recent $15,000 mechanical service completed earlier this year
*Accompanied by two pallets of parts and spares
*Eligible for numerous vintage rallies and tours

Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

THE NASH-HEALEY

Late in 1953, Nash-Healey introduced a handsome new coupe model with the name "Le Mans." It was more than an honorary title. Nash-Healeys had competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours since 1950, when Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton entered a prototype model in the famed French endurance race. It finished fourth out of 29 cars that had completed the race. Clothed in lightweight aluminum bodies, there were four of these racers, which had Nash Ambassador engines upgraded with aluminum high-compression heads, special manifolds and twin SU side-draft carburetors.

In 1951, Rolt and Hamilton were fourth in class and sixth overall, behind a Jaguar but ahead of two Ferraris. The following year, with Leslie Johnson and Tommy Wisdom driving, Nash-Healey finished third overall behind two works Mercedes 300SLs, taking first-in-class from Luigi Chinetti's Ferrari and beating Briggs Cunningham's C4-R by a full ten laps. Additionally, they earned the Rudge-Whitworth Cup for the best performance over two consecutive years and the Motor Gold Challenge Cup. Johnson also contested the Mille Miglia that year, with motoring correspondent Bill McKenzie as passenger. They managed seventh overall, in a race won by Ferrari.

For 1953, Johnson again took the helm, but partnered with Bert Hadley. Starting from 27th place, Johnson and Hadley managed to advance to 11th by race's end, despite the fact that they had achieved a higher average speed than in 1952. By this time, however, Nash Motors was busy with the merger negotiations that led to American Motors, and further racing was discontinued.

Nash-Healey Roadster production ended in 1953. The final 90 cars built in 1954 were all Le Mans coupes.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Only 506 Nash-Healey's were produced in all, and this car is one of just 162 built in 1953. The earliest history of this Nash Healey is unknown, but it has spent a significant portion of its life in the Northeast, having been acquired by the current owner in 1986 from a collector in Guilford, Connecticut. A few years after acquiring the car, it was sent to A.J. Romano Jr. of Romano's Restorations for an extensive, frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration. A four-year process, the completed Roadster was finished in red over tan and was featured in a multipage spread in the September 1994 issue of Car Collector magazine.

Sparingly shown and enjoyed since the completion of the restoration, the car continues to show well today. Most recently, the Roadster was subject to an extensive, $15,000 mechanical service. Completed by North East Auto Doctors, the eight pages of receipts details work to the engine, clutch, transmission (including servicing the overdrive system), gas tank, brakes, speedometer and tachometer, carburetors, coolant system, electrical system, clutch, and rear end. Needless to say, an oil change was performed too. Work was completed in early July of this year.

Fresh from its mechanical service and reported by the seller to be a good driver, it is accompanied by an original brochure and two pallets' worth of hard-to-find spares including a core engine. These rare American and European hybrids offer the reliability and ease of maintenance of an American car with the handsome good looks of the best of Europe. Combine that with the vast number of events for which a Nash-Healey is eligible, including the esteemed Mille Miglia, and it only sweetens the pot.