Over the years, we’ve seen more Austin Healeys than most people could shake a stick at and, consequently, we like to think that we’ve got a reliable eye when it comes to spotting a good example of the breed.

Well, we don’t recall ever seeing a much better example than this.

Finished in its factory colour scheme of ‘Colorado Red’ with black leather upholstery, this rare, original, RHD home-market example was the subject of a comprehensive 2003/4 restoration to near concours standard, since when the car has covered around 9,000 miles and had just one long-term owner.

The vendor, who is in the classic car trade and really knows his Austin Healeys, tells us that the chassis is reassuringly free of any signs of unsightly repairs or previous accident damage, and that it and the insides of the wheel-arches are painted (as they should be) in the same colour as the bodywork.

The car is believed to have been dry stored and unused for many years before being unearthed and subsequently restore...