1950 Healey Silverstone

£ 130 000

1950 Healey Silverstone E76 – Alpine Rally Provenance and Known Ownership

A well-documented Healey Silverstone with period Alpine Rally success, Coupe des Alpes honours and continuous, traceable ownership history from new.

Competition History and Period Use

Few post-war British sports cars capture the spirit of early competition quite like the Healey Silverstone. Designed with rallying and endurance events in mind, they were purposeful machines from the outset. Chassis E76, registration HCJ 210, is a particularly appealing example with well-documented ownership and genuine significant period competition history.

The car was used exactly as Donald Healey intended. Within days of delivery it was entered in the 1950 Alpine Rally, beginning an active early competition career.

Highlights include:

1950 – Alpine Rally (shortly after delivery)

1951 – Alpine Rally – Joint 1st in Class and winner of a Coupe des Alpes

1952 – Goodwood Nine Hours entrant alongside fellow Silverstones D48 and E71

1953 – Charterhall International, Alpine Rally, and the 6 Hour Relay at Silverstone

1954 – LAC Morecambe Rally

The Coupe des Alpes, awarded in 1951, was reserved for crews completing the circa 2000-mile Alpine Rally without penalty points. The car’s Alpine Rally history is fully recorded, including photographs, in “Les Healeys Dans Les Alpes” by Herve Chevalier, and it also features in the Healey Silverstone Profile series (No. 71).

Ownership and Provenance

The car was originally campaigned by its first owner, Edgar Wadsworth. He retained the car until March 1954, when it was sold to Mr Heyworth of J & J McLerie Ltd, Bacup, who kept it for 18 years until 1972.

Ownership then passed briefly to Dr M. D. Brydson of Crewe before being acquired by Patrick Betts. The car later appeared at the Brooks auction during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 1998, where it was purchased by Mr and Mrs Cakebread.

The history file includes original material from that sale, including reserved seat passes from the Brooks marquee behind Goodwood House, retained by the Cakebreads.

Mechanical Work and Ongoing Care

Prior to the 1998 sale, the original Riley 2.5-litre ‘Big Four’ engine was rebuilt in 1987 by Holbay Racing Engines, including a balanced crankshaft and rods along with new pistons. The odometer was reset at this point, and the car has covered 6,359 miles since.

Following their purchase, the Cakebreads carried out further sympathetic work, including brake refurbishment, the manufacture of new aluminium front wings, localised paint refreshment where required, and the fitment of a mohair hood, tonneau and side screens.

Well Positioned for Today’s Historic Events

Healey Silverstones are consistently sought after for their versatility and strong event eligibility. HCJ 210 stands apart with its well-documented history and clearly traceable story from new.

The model is Mille Miglia eligible, and with a Coupe des Alpes to its name, this example presents a compelling case for entry into premier historic events.

There is also a personal connection to its early ownership, reflecting the close-knit nature of the historic motorsport community.

For further details or to discuss suitability for events or touring use, please get in touch directly.