A Star is Born – Jackie Cooper’s Healey 100S

A stunning presentation remains after Fourintune Restoration – Image Courtesy of RM-Sotheby’s

Among the early acolytes to the Healey faith – and certainly among the most well known at the time – Jackie Cooper was an ardent admirer of Donald Healey and his machines. From the first introduction of the iconic 100 in 1953, Cooper used the car for both transportation and competition in an era when an owner could do both without much trouble. He was present on the Bonneville Salt Flats when the crew from Warwick set about their record breaking endeavors in 1954 and figured prominently in the promotional efforts that followed upon their return from Utah.

When Healey had informed him that an even hotter 100 was in the works, Cooper was eager to place an order and received the first Healey 100S chassis built – and the fourth completed car finished – that had been used as the mule for the development of the novel Dunlop disc braking system. Finished in Spruce Green with a matching verdant interior at Cooper’s specification, it was the only 100S to be finished in that hue.

It speaks volumes to Cooper’s importance as a customer (and spokesman) that his car was delivered to him in Florida in time for the 1955 12 Hours of Sebring. As an Academy Award nominee and acclaimed Naval Officer, Cooper was in the spotlight in the hours leading up to the race and the 100S was subject to much media attention. Driving with Roy Jackson-Moore – an Austin representative living in the states – Cooper and his 100S were one of seven such models entered including the factory entry piloted by Stirling Moss and Lance Macklin. Not just a movie star, Cooper was a talented driver and he had the car in 7^th Place Overall and Second in Class (behind Moss and Macklin) when faulty wiring caused a battery failure that killed the fuel pump.

Jackie Cooper and Roy Jackson-Moore at the 1955 Sebring Race – Image Courtesy of the Healey Museum NL

Displaying the spirit that would make a Spartan proud, Cooper pushed the car for over a mile into the pits to effect repairs. While the electrical issues pushed the pair down in the standings (they finished 42nd overall), Cooper was lauded for his competitive fire and he was named Automotive Sportsman of the Month and was featured on the cover of Sports Car Illustrated. He continued to campaign the car in several events including the Nassau Trophy Races in the Bahamas and on the fabled course at Watkins Glen before it was no longer competitive and sold off to a succession of lesser privateers.

In 1976, the car was purchased by noted collector Bill Wood, who, at that time owned another 100S that was in need of several missing components. After placing an ad in Road & Track seeking extra 100S parts he received a response offering him the engine and gearbox from an authentic 100S. Wood purchased the items and subsequently found that they were from Cooper’s car. Several years later, he happened on an engineless 100S that was being readied for MGB power when he swooped in and exchanged a motorcycle for the historic car. With the drivetrain and car reunited, the vehicle was sent to Fourintune for restoration in 1990.

A historic car is hammered across the block at $920,000 – Image by Andy Reid for The British Motoring Journal

With a new lease on life, the car made various stops on the show circuit before it was sold to an Italian who used it to compete in the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia Storica before passing the car on to a series of new owners in North America. The car was sold at the RM-Sotheby’s Auction in Amelia Island, Florida on March 14, 2015 for $920,000 across the block against an estimate of $975,000 to $1.3 million. Given its impeccable provenance and presentation, I would have to call this well bought given the recent rise in 100S prices.

By Johnny Oversteer