1950 Healey Silverstone

Introduced by Donald Healey Motors in 1949, the Healey Silverstone quickly gained attention from both motor enthusiasts and racing drivers, not least because it represented great value but also its versatility on both road and in competition. Donald Healey himself achieved a class win at the 1949 Alpine Rally alongside co-driver Ian Appleyard. Further International success for the Silverstone included other victories at the Liege-Rome-Liege Rally and the Coupe des Alpes. Gaining recognition on Rallies and proving to be a desirable model, the Healey Silverstone would attract customers such as US Racing Driver, Briggs Cunningham and gave first track experience to future racing drivers, most notably Tony Brooks.

Powered by a torquey 2.4-litre Riley engine, the Silverstone was designed as a lightweight two-seater with a number of innovative and practical design elements. These included a windscreen which drops into the scuttle instead of folding flat, twin headlamps mounted behind the radiator grille and the famous spare wheel design that tucks into the tail compartment of the car, meaning that the wheel doubles up as a bumper.

This car, chassis D26 is an early D-type Model, of which 51 were built. According to The Healey Silverstone Register, the first owner of D26 was a Mr Howard Riddel. As noted in the history file, D26 was first registered in 2nd May 1950 and retains the same registration to this day (LGK 49). In 1969, D26 was purchased by well-known racer and collector Ray Fielding of Forres, Scotland where it stayed for some fifty years in his eclectic collection that included many of the greatest racing Maserati’s in the world.

Mr Fielding was very careful to keep the caras authentic as possible and corresponded and consulted with Donald Healey Motors and the Healey Owners club regarding works carried out on D26.

The present owner has lavished a great deal of expenditure on the car in recent years right down to the chassis with invoices showing in excess of £40,000.

Highly eligible, tremendous fun, great value and ready to roll…