Heroshot

1953 Nash-Healey Le Mans

Coupe
RM Open Roads, April 2021 (Online Only)
Wednesday, 21 April - Thursday, 29 April 2021
$78,100
Sale Price
$75,000 - $90,000
Est. Range
Yes
Reserve
29 April 2021
Sold Date
290
Lot Number
#3+
Enthusiast restoration
RM Sotheby's
Auction House
Chassis no. 3048; Engine no. NHA1271. Red over beige leather. 253/140hp Nash Ambassador Dual-Jetfire OHV inline six, two Carter sidedraft carburetors, floor shift overdrive 3-speed, chrome wire wheel covers, pushbutton radio, whitewall tires, polished aluminum valve cover, Ronco Vertex magneto, exhaust header, underdash oil pressure gauge.

Evaluation: Restored in the 1990s to decent standards for the time but the paint has preparation flaws and age. The upholstery, carpets and interior trim are good and the engine compartment is orderly and clean. Pedal pads are badly worn. A sound, usable and presentable car.

Bottom Line: Rare bodywork produced only in the last year of Nash-Healey production. Built before Chevrolet introduced the Corvette, the Nash-Healey was rated at only 10hp less than Corvette and came with a proper 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive. An earlier owner of this example sought to compensate for the rated performance difference with the magneto and exhaust header. The result here is a thoughtful balancing of the Le Mans Coupe’s rarity and the driver-quality condition and should leave both seller and buyer satisfied.

by Rick Carey
5 May 2021
nash-healey side
nash-healey interior
nash-healey engine
nash-healey gauge

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