1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Coupé by D'Ieteren Frères
- Engine
- 2.66L inline-four, ~90 bhp
A highly unusual 1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1, this left-hand-drive chassis is one of only six examples rebodied as a fixed-head coupé by Brussels coachbuilder D'Ieteren Frères, and one of probably just two survivors. Completed in January 1955, it was displayed at the Brussels Motor Show before sale to its first owner. The coupé features wind-up windows derived from a Citroën Traction Avant mechanism — possibly the first Austin-Healey so equipped. A comprehensive restoration was completed in Antwerp in 2001–2002, and the car has since earned concours recognition including a 'Best Car' award at the 2015 Big Healey Tribute Rally.
Ownership
- 2020-10-11Auction saleSold €110,000 (≈ $121K)
- 1955 →Private saleFirst owner (purchased at 1955 Brussels Motor Show)partial documentation
Acquired directly from the Brussels Motor Show stand; paid approximately 320,000 Belgian Francs, roughly four times the cost of the standard open roadster. Period photographs from the 1960s show the car still in this owner's possession.
- → 2001-09-01Acquisition unknownMotor dealer who refused sale to prospective convertible convertersnone documentation
Held the car idle for over 15 years and would only sell to buyers committed to retaining the coupe bodywork.
- 2001-09-01 →Private saleBruno Verstraetefull documentation
Well-known Healey collector and former Swiss Austin-Healey Club president; commissioned a thorough restoration in Antwerp during 2001–2002, with careful preservation of surviving original features.
- Date unknownInheritanceSon of first ownerpartial documentation
Received the car as an 18th birthday gift and added spotlights, a bonnet scoop, antenna, and a side badge during his tenure.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownUnspecified motor dealer (early 1980s restoration)none documentation
One of several trade owners after the 1970s; carried out a light restoration in the early 1980s.
Competition
- 19531953 Le Mans 24-Hour Race12th and 14th place finishes
Factory-entered mildly modified cars; mentioned as context for the model's competition pedigree, not a direct history of this specific chassis.
- 20042nd European Healey Meeting2004 European Healey Meeting Concours, St Moritz2nd prize, Healey 100 Standard Class
Runner-up to a freshly restored Austin-Healey 100S in the relevant concours category.
- 2015Big Healey Tribute Rally, AbingdonBest Car award
Maintenance & restoration
- 2001RestorationAntwerp-based restorer (unnamed)
Comprehensive high-standard restoration carried out in Antwerp over 2001–2002, with deliberate effort to preserve surviving original components. Reconstruction of the wind-up window mechanism — based on Citroën Traction Avant parts — was undertaken from scratch, requiring approximately 175 man-hours.
Commissioned by Bruno Verstraete shortly after his September 2001 acquisition of the car.
- —Modification
Several accessories were fitted by the first owner's son, including four spotlights, a bonnet scoop, an external antenna, and an Abarth side badge.
These additions are visible in photographs from the 1960s.
- —Restoration
A light or 'sympathetic' restoration was undertaken by a motor dealer during the early 1980s, details unspecified.
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