1952 Nash Healey Roadster Roadster Sports Convertible

Englishman Donald Healey and Nash-Kelvinator Chief George Mason had a chance meeting while crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth. They discussed the prospect of collaborating on a sports car. After an agreement was reached, batches of Nash Ambassador six-cylinder engines and three-speed gearboxes with overdrive were shipped to Warwickshire, England. They were then mated with Healey Silverstone chassis and a Panelcraft body of Healey design. Production began for the 1951 model year in December of 1950. Racing versions finished 9th in class in the Mille Miglia and fourth overall at Le Mans. During that first year, just 104 examples were produced, perhaps due to the steep $4,063 price tag.

Mason was not impressed with the styling of the car so he contracted with Italy's Battista 'Pinin' Farina to style the senior Nashes for 1952. He also asked Farina to update the Nash-Healey, too. Steel bodywork replaced aluminum. The price jumped to $5,858, and a total of just 150 were produced. A companion LeMans coupe on a six-inch longer wheelbase was introduced for 1953, yet production remained low with just 162 units built for the model year. Production ended in 1954, after a total of 506 units had been built.

This highly original Nash-Healey has been in the current owner's possession since coming to the United States in March of 2008. It had been found resting in a warehouse in Holland for the better part of 25 years. It is a numbers-matching car, including the original engine. The car was repainted many years ago with the remained of the car still likely all-original.

Power is from a six-cylinder, 234.8 cubic-inch engine offering 125 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive and there are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2013