Classic Cars for sale (4591)
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SilverstonePrice on request
Description
HEALEY SILVERSTONE - 1950 Healey Silverstone Chassis Number E55
The Donald Healey Motor company completed its first car in 1945, going into full-time production the following year. The firm’s first offering was a 2.4-litre Riley-powered sports saloon with welded-up chassis and Healey’s own trailing arm independent front suspension. For the clubman racer there was the dual-purpose Silverstone, a model equally at home on road or track. The saloon’s engine and basic underpinnings were retained, though with shorter frame, stiffer springing and – unusually for the time – a front anti-roll bar. Designed by Len Hodges, the lightweight two-seater body was crafted in aluminium, while the car’s purposeful look was enhanced by cycle wings and closely spaced headlamps mounted behind the radiator grille. Another unusual feature was the spare wheel protruding from its compartment in the tail, thus doubling as a bumper!
The Motor, when it announced and featured the model in July 1949, described the Silverstone as a ‘light competition-type two-seater to sell at the basic price of £975′ while observing that ‘weighing only 18.5cwt, the new Healey offers improved performance for competition work, yet remains entirely suitable for normal road use.’ Getting the price down to less than £1,000 had been an important consideration in the Silverstone’s development, as that was the level at which the swingeing 66% Purchase Tax would be levied.
The Silverstone was soon making a name for itself in rallying and circuit racing, with Donald himself, together with co-driver Ian Appleyard, securing a class win in the 1949 Alpine Rally, in which they were the highest placed British car. Other noteworthy international successes include Peter Riley and Bill Lamb’s class win in the 1951 Liège-Rome-Liège Rally; Peter Simpson’s 6th place overall in the 1951 Isle of Man Manx Cup Races; and Edgar Wadsworth and Cyril Corbishley’s victory in the 1951 Coupe des Alpes.
Many future stars gained their first track experience in the Silverstone, most notably Tony Brooks
There were two generations of Silverstones, designated D-Types and E-Types, in addition to two prototype “X” models. The D-Type had a front anti-roll bar and stiffer springs and retained the Riley powerplant and rear axle. An improved E-Type, with a wider body and more comfortable cockpit, was introduced in 1950. Silverstones were very successful on racing circuits, particularly in club events.
This car offered here for sale is an outstanding example of this rare E Type.
Chassis Number E 55 is a car with successive Period Race & Rally history from 1950.This Blue Matching Numbers Healey, possibly the very best to come to the market,in recent years.
In the cared for ownership of the last owner since 1999, based in Switzerland, the car has been meticulously maintain’d & has a record for finishing the World’s most Prestigious Events which have included Mille Miglia in 1996,1999 & 2008 also the Nuvolari event in 2008.
The original RHD interior with Bucket seats & Sculptured body allow extra room for a taller driver, origins lay with the Needs of Duncan Hamilton — who Won the class in 1949 on the Mille Miglia. Note the Lamps behind the Grill,aid aerodynamics.
Suffice to say such a well known car has a much Loved presence at events such as the Mille, offering a much “simplified entry” for a new owner to Blue Ribband events for which an oversubscribed entry list is common Events such as the Mille Miglia ,Goodwood & Classic Le Mans all welcome these very rare Cars.
In Preparation for sale Chassis Number E 55 has had a total Drive-Train Overhaul ,this has been completed, to include the rebuild of the rear Axle,Gearbox and Prop-shaft .
The Chassis has been carefully treated & re-painted,Brakes & Suspension fully overhauled.
In addition Re-paint of Cycle Wings & front nose section -combine to Present the Car in Near Concourse Condition with immaculate paint work.
A full engine Detail completes the fabulous preperation of this car in readiness for the 2013 Season.
This car has been the subject of a total Nut & Bolt Restoration in recent years with a full Photographic record complementing the all important “History File”.
The Healey Silverstone has an excellent power to weight Ratio offering fantastic Performance from a car, which was a Pace setter in 1950 offering exhilarating performance to the most discerning enthusiast in excess of 100 mph well within the stride of this Iconic 1950 Sports Car.
A car with wonderful road presence,very rare just 105 cars ever built offering Blue Chip Investment potential which can be realised arguably– very very Quickly — year on year these fabulous cars are appreciating in front of our Eyes .
Cars with Rock Solid Provenance such as this supported with Mechanical Integrity & With known fully Documented regular past Participation in events such as the Mille Miglia are oh so rare !
In Deep Navy Paint with Beautiful Green Leather this car arguably one of the prettiest to come to the market for many years.
The Car is available to be viewed here with us in Suffolk & will come with us to Essen Techno Classica in Germany, Hall 12 ,stand 109 From the 10th to 14th April.
As always our Overseas Visitors can be collected from London Stansted &both European & Worldwide delivery of the car, facilitated with ease.
Please do not hesitate to Contact Phil directly— should you wish to further your enquiry.
Race and Rally History of Chassis number E55
1950 May 29th Blandford driver Sir Francis Samuelson
1950 Aug 26th B.R.D.C. productions car race at Silverstone driver Sir Francis Samuelson
1951 March 26th Goodwood driver Sir Francis Samuelson
1952 Aug 4th Trengwaiton hill climb driver Ken Rudd
1953 Trengwainton Hill climb driver H.J. Hunter 1st in class
1953 Prescott Hill Climb I.Meeting driver Ken Rudd
1954 Brands Hatch Mid Surrey meet Driver Ken Rudd
1996 Mille Miglia Driver Klaus Brecht
1999 Mille Miglia St.Nr. 180 Driver Dieter Crone
2001 1.Trofeo Baleares Classico St.Nr.36 Driver Dieter Crone
2001 Eifel Klassik Driver D. Crone
2002 Liege – Rom – Liege
2002 Copa Classica Driver: D. Crone
2007 Silvretta Classic St.Nr.:38 Team: Hübner
2008 Mille Miglia St.Nr.: 167 Team: Hübner
2008 Nuvolari St.Nr.: 78 Team: Hübner
2009 Ennstal-Classic St.Nr.: 21 Team: Hübner
2010 Raid Suiss-Paris St.Nr.: 9 Team: Hübner
General Information
Print this adMake: Healey
Model: Silverstone
Year: 1950
Price: Price on request
Condition: cond 2 Excellent
Contact Information
See other items of this sellerName: Premium Classic Cars
Country: United Kingdom
State or Region: Suffolk
Postal code: IP12
Languages: English, German
Tel: +44 (0)1394 459 493, +44 (0)7899 912 226
Website: www.premiumclassiccars.com