For Chevrolet and BMC, the earliest Corvette and Austin-Healey models were the beginning of sports car dynasties.
nally into the 3000 “BJ8” model through 1967. In the end, advancing U.S. safety regulations and financial challenges at British Motor Corporation proved the end for the Big Healey.
“BMC had closed down everything, and no one even had any parts for them,” Leach continues. “As time went on, the later six-cylinder cars, which were more refined, took over as the most desirable, and the 100-4 owner got looked at as somebody who didn’t appreciate a fine sports car. Only the purists liked them. They were fun to drive but unreliable, and the BJ8s were stronger and heavier. But the desirability factor is now revers- ing, and in my opinion, ultimately the 100-4 values may go beyond the BJ8s.” According to Hagerty Price Guide #20, a 100-4 BN1 in number 2 condition is valued at $43,200, while a BJ8 in similar condition is valued at close to $75,000.
WHE R E TO INVE S T The British expression “as different as chalk and cheese” is perfect when discussing the 1953 Austin-Healey 100-4 and Corvette. You can park them door-to- door and argue the details all day long, but in the end it’s like comparing a Napa chardonnay to French Champagne — the real winner is whichever you prefer.
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HAGERTY.COM
1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ENGINE 235-cid OHV inline six TRANSMISSION 2-speed automatic CARBURETION 3 x 1 bbl. HORSEPOWER @ RPM 150 @ 4,200 TORQUE, FT-LB. @ RPM 223 @ 2,400 ACCELERATION, 0-60 MPH, SEC. 11.5 CURB WEIGHT, LB. 2,886 TOP SPEED, MPH 105 NUMBER PRODUCED 300 ORIGINAL BASE PRICE $3,498
VALUE RANGE $154,500–$410,000
With its sturdy box frame, utilitarian running gear and a weatherproof sit-on- top body molded of plastic resin and glass-fiber, the Corvette was like the Antichrist of European sports cars in its day. In contrast, the Healey is light, spare and reserved in its design and construc- tion, and while a good performer with its torquey engine, it proved generally vulnerable. Though both cars survived a rough first few years before flourishing, only the Corvette endured — and it has surfed a peculiarly American wave of interest ever since.
In terms of investment potential, unquestionably the 1953 Corvette has enjoyed its day in the sun already, with prices ramping up wildly during recent decades as Baby Boomer lust built to a crescendo. So in the future, don’t expect to see much of a price increase — es- pecially as nostalgic Boomers begin to sunset out of collector-car buying. Regardless of this, the ’53 will remain indelible as the original Corvette, and so
given the few examples extant, it is likely quite bombproof in terms of value.
By contrast, the 1953 Austin-Healey has long been overshadowed by the later Big Healeys, so it looks like a bargain compared to almost any early classic Cor- vette. Though it is not an American icon, it was built primarily for the U.S. market and is rightfully an iconic British sports car. Thanks to its lovely design, spirited perfor- mance, good racing pedigree and ample availability, the ’53 Healey 100-4 has the potential to emerge from the shadow of the later six-cylinder 3000 series cars.
Both the Corvette and 100-4 represent an era in America where sports cars were still in their infancy. You’ll never go wrong with either, though at a cheaper point of entry — and with more of them to choose from — you’re likely to get more driving satisfaction from the Healey. But the Corvette will always be America’s Sports Car, and those built in 1953 forever sit at the head of the table.
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