In 1953, two Austin-Healey cars took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Officially, they were registered with the license plates NOJ 391 and NOJ 392 and were at the start. However, a mishap occurred and NOJ 391 was involved in a collision with a lorry on the way from the car check-in to the hotel. The car could not be saved in the time available.
In an emergency, the test car, normally equipped with the registration number NOJ 393, was fitted with the components prepared for racing (engine, brakes and all parts stamped at scrutineering). Of course, the start number was also painted on and the NOJ 391 license plate was mounted, and the car was ready to go. The two Austin-Healeys held out and finished 12th and 14th overall and 2nd and 3rd in their class.
The two cars have never been together since, as NOJ 392 was soon shipped to Australia, NOJ 393 became the 100 S prototype and raced at Sebring, the Carrera Panamericana and Nassau before the car was involved in the unfortunate Le Mans accident in 1955.
Later, towards the end of the 1960s, the legendary sports car ended up in private hands with the aim of being restored. However, the project made no progress for 42 years and in 2011 the car was auctioned "as is" by Bonhams for the record price of £843,000.
The car was subsequently restored by Marsh Classic Restorations in Australia on behalf of the new owner and returned to the condition it was in when it competed in the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans.
At Goodwood on July 12, 2013, Bonhams will now auction the second car that was on the starting grid in 1953, i.e. NOJ 392 . The estimated price has been set at £500,000 to £600,000. To celebrate and promote the upcoming auction, the two cars were united and immortalized in photographs. An automotive happy ending!
