Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Donald Healey, a British rally racing driver and car manufacturer, founded the company bearing his name in 1945. Healey had started out racing, and then, turned to car manufacturing. He was a Technical Chief at Triumph, and also, had helped Riley build some of their proven race-winning engines. At first, the Donald Healey Motor Company manufactured box-section chassis. Riley supplied the engines and the rear axles. The Riley engine Healey used was 2,443 cc. It had overhead valves actuated by twin, high-mounted camshafts and pushrods. Healey used his box-section chassis and independent coiled spring front suspension in conjunction with the Riley engine to create two chassis models. Healey created a roadster known as the Westland and a saloon called the Elliot. Both were unveiled in 1946.
Healey then decided to make a car truly made for sports car racing. In 1949, Healey introduced the Silverstone. Virtually a single-seat styled grand prix car with fenders, the chassis consisted of what was a heavily-rounded box chassis, made up of aluminum. The nose was rounded off and fell steeply at the very front. Interestingly, behind the vertical-bar grill set the car's two headlights. The front suspension incorporated a trailing link design similar to the German cars of pre-war design. In addition, the tires were neatly covered by cycle fenders. One of the other interesting design aspects of the Silverstone was Healey's placement of the spare tire. Healey dramatically rounded the rear end of the car and pulled it in slightly from the sides. A slot was cut out of this rear end. This slot was used to house the tire. The tire then doubled as a bumper.
Healey had created two generations of the Silverstones. The first example was known as the D-Type. The follow-up was the E-Type. The E-Type improved upon the D-Type, specifically by making the car a bit wider and the cockpit more comfortable. By making the car a little wider, the lightweight E-Type chassis experienced great success on the race track, especially in club events.
The Silverstone offered at the 2011 RM Auction in Arizona bore chassis number E-69, and was owned and raced by A.G.H. Rimmel. Rimmel received the car in 1950 and competed with the car extensively at Silverstone over the next couple of years. E-69 had the standard Riley 2,443 cc OHV four-cylinder engine that developed 104 bhp. It sports a four-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, a live rear axle with coil spring suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
From 1952, until 1954, the car was raced by Mr. B. Simpson. Then, in 1965, the car was purchased by Leslie Cato.
Mr. Cato was the founder of the Healey Driver's Club and, by the early 1960s, was instrumental in establishing the Healey Register. The Healey Register became the Austin-Healey Club in 1962. When in the possession of Mr. Cato, the car didn't sit around. The car took part in both touring and racing events. Mr. Cato had even published his account of driving the car on a London-to-Rome tour.
In the 1970s, the car was sold and made its way to the United States. It was seen quite often at tracks throughout the New England area. Bill Emerson decided to purchase the car in the late-80s. By that time, the car was still running rather well, but, was nowhere near its original condition. Just as with its race-track namesake, this 1950 Healey Silverstone has been through troubled times, but has been rescued and restored to incredible condition. In all, the car's restoration took 12 years. What has emerged from restoration is a prodigious show winner. The car has won Best of Show honors some 16 times.
As it appears for the auction, the Silverstone Healey has been meticulously taken care of; ready for either the concours or competition. This fast and delightfully handling car was estimated to fetch between $155,000 to $190,000. Only 105 Silverstones were built. Truly, this car upholds the Silverstone name and honors well the memory of Donald Healey.
Sources:
'Buy: Feature Lots (Lot 128: 1950 Healey Silverstone Sports Roadster)', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r340&fc=0#). RM Auctions Arizona. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r340&fc=0#. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
'How Stuff Works: 1950 Healey Silverstone', (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1950-healey-silverstone.htm). 1950 Healey Silverstone. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1950-healey-silverstone.htm. Retrieved 3 January 2011.By Jeremy McMullen
Healey then decided to make a car truly made for sports car racing. In 1949, Healey introduced the Silverstone. Virtually a single-seat styled grand prix car with fenders, the chassis consisted of what was a heavily-rounded box chassis, made up of aluminum. The nose was rounded off and fell steeply at the very front. Interestingly, behind the vertical-bar grill set the car's two headlights. The front suspension incorporated a trailing link design similar to the German cars of pre-war design. In addition, the tires were neatly covered by cycle fenders. One of the other interesting design aspects of the Silverstone was Healey's placement of the spare tire. Healey dramatically rounded the rear end of the car and pulled it in slightly from the sides. A slot was cut out of this rear end. This slot was used to house the tire. The tire then doubled as a bumper.
Healey had created two generations of the Silverstones. The first example was known as the D-Type. The follow-up was the E-Type. The E-Type improved upon the D-Type, specifically by making the car a bit wider and the cockpit more comfortable. By making the car a little wider, the lightweight E-Type chassis experienced great success on the race track, especially in club events.
The Silverstone offered at the 2011 RM Auction in Arizona bore chassis number E-69, and was owned and raced by A.G.H. Rimmel. Rimmel received the car in 1950 and competed with the car extensively at Silverstone over the next couple of years. E-69 had the standard Riley 2,443 cc OHV four-cylinder engine that developed 104 bhp. It sports a four-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, a live rear axle with coil spring suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
From 1952, until 1954, the car was raced by Mr. B. Simpson. Then, in 1965, the car was purchased by Leslie Cato.
Mr. Cato was the founder of the Healey Driver's Club and, by the early 1960s, was instrumental in establishing the Healey Register. The Healey Register became the Austin-Healey Club in 1962. When in the possession of Mr. Cato, the car didn't sit around. The car took part in both touring and racing events. Mr. Cato had even published his account of driving the car on a London-to-Rome tour.
In the 1970s, the car was sold and made its way to the United States. It was seen quite often at tracks throughout the New England area. Bill Emerson decided to purchase the car in the late-80s. By that time, the car was still running rather well, but, was nowhere near its original condition. Just as with its race-track namesake, this 1950 Healey Silverstone has been through troubled times, but has been rescued and restored to incredible condition. In all, the car's restoration took 12 years. What has emerged from restoration is a prodigious show winner. The car has won Best of Show honors some 16 times.
As it appears for the auction, the Silverstone Healey has been meticulously taken care of; ready for either the concours or competition. This fast and delightfully handling car was estimated to fetch between $155,000 to $190,000. Only 105 Silverstones were built. Truly, this car upholds the Silverstone name and honors well the memory of Donald Healey.
Sources:
'Buy: Feature Lots (Lot 128: 1950 Healey Silverstone Sports Roadster)', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r340&fc=0#). RM Auctions Arizona. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r340&fc=0#. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
'How Stuff Works: 1950 Healey Silverstone', (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1950-healey-silverstone.htm). 1950 Healey Silverstone. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1950-healey-silverstone.htm. Retrieved 3 January 2011.By Jeremy McMullen
2017 Gooding & Co. : Scottsdale, AZ
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $250,000-USD $300,000
Lot was not sold
2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $155,000-USD $190,000
Sale Price :
USD $192,500
1950 Healey Silverstone Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Healey Silverstone
(Data based on Model Year 1950 sales)
1950 Healey Silverstone Chassis#: E64 Sold for USD$42,750 2017 Silverstone - Classic | |
1950 Healey Silverstone Chassis#: E66 Sold for USD$361,186 2014 Silverstone : The Silverstone Classic | |
1950 Healey Silverstone Jaguar Competition Roadster Chassis#: D48 Sold for USD$144,101 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | |
1950 Healey Silverstone Roadster Chassis#: D31 Sold for USD$100,938 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motorcycles, Motor Cars and Related Memorabilia & Spares | |
1950 Healey Silverstone Sports Roadster Chassis#: E-69 Sold for USD$192,500 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions | |
1950 Healey Silverstone Roadster Chassis#: D37 Sold for USD$60,656 2005 Bonhams - Sports, Competition & Collectors' Motor Cars, F1 Memorabilia, Automobilia & Models |
Healey Silverstones That Failed To Sell At Auction
1950 Healey Silverstone's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1950 Healey Silverstone Jaguar Competition Roadster | D48 | 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $140,000 | $180,000 | |
1950 Healey Silverstone Competition Roadster | D36 | 2018 Bonhams : Zoute Sale | $230,000 | $300,000 | |
1950 Healey Silverstone E-Type | E69 | 2017 Gooding & Co. : Scottsdale, AZ | $250,000 | $300,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $150,355 range.
2023 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT LAST CALL BLACK GHOST EDITI Chassis#:2C3CDZL98PH581760 Sold for $150,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1971 OLDSMOBILE 442 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:344671M175684 Sold for $151,800 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1971 Chevrolet Corvette LS6 Coupe Chassis#:194371s112761 Sold for $151,250 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1968 Citroen DS Le Caddy Henri Chapron Series 2 by DS Manufaktur Chassis#:7605754 Sold for $151,200 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1988 BMW M3 Evolution II Chassis#:WBSAK010602191899 Sold for $151,200 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet Chassis#:1507 Sold for $151,200 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1966 CITROEN DS21 LE LEMAN Chassis#:4350025 Sold for $151,200 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
1995 Aston Martin Vantage V600 Coupé Chassis#:SCFDAM2S2SBL70153 Sold for $149,939 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary Saloon Chassis#:SCA1S68074UX00304 Sold for $149,939 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
2012 Audi R8 5.2 quattro Spyder 'R Tronic' Chassis#:WUAVNAFG0CN001225 Sold for $151,200 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1977 FORD BRONCO CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:U15GL025832 Sold for $151,800 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2020 FORD F-450 CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:1FT8W4DT8LEC91819 Sold for $150,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1967 FORD MUSTANG CUSTOM FASTBACK Chassis#:7F01A102204 Sold for $150,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 Chassis#:1G1Y52D93K5800444 Sold for $150,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1972 GMC JIMMY CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:TKE182S513804 Sold for $150,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 Chassis#:1G1Y52D97K5802696 Sold for $151,800 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:194676S109641 Sold for $150,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:j58s106003 Sold for $151,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 JL8 Chassis#:124379l528686 Sold for $150,700 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1969 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#:223379n106244 Sold for $151,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee |
1950 Healey Silverstone
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Healey Silverstone model years