Description
The Holmes Motor Company was founded in 1984 by brothers Graham and Peter Holmes in Stroud, Gloucestershire and they started building their new car which was inspired by the Austin Healey 3000. Although the body shape was very similar to the original Healey, the car was an extremely capable modern sports car in its own right and was widely regarded as the finest in its class, so much so that Geoffrey Healey endorsed it himself and the new car would have been launched with the blessing of the Healey family had it not been for a trademark dispute with Jensen in 1989 preventing them from using the Healey name. Despite this draw back, the 'HMC MKIV' as it was named, had excellent reviews from magazines such as Motor Sport and Performance Car and it was featured on Top Gear in March 1996 by Quentin Wilson who said ‘No Austin-Healey was ever this well built’ and specialist sports car manufacturers like Lotus and TVR should take a long, hard look at the HMC to see how it really should be done.’ The motoring press agreed that this car was far more than an homage to the Austin Healey 3000 and only 167 MKIV cars were built by the Holmes brothers before production ceased in 1999 due to parts supply issues. This beautiful example - Chassis No: SA904943GTURT0080 is the 80th car to be produced by the Holmes Motor Company and was first registered on 16th September 1996. It has a very interesting history having been through our hands twice before and was owned by BBC Radio One DJ and presenter Mike Smith who we sold it for to the well known Historic racer Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams in July 2004. Barrie kept the car for almost 4 years and always raved about how good these HMC's were and we sold it for him to the current owner in March 2008. Finished in Signal Red with Black Leather trim piped in Red, Black carpets and over-mats, a Black Mohair Soft Top, burr walnut dashboard with Smiths instruments and it has the customary all-aluminium Rover 3947cc 190bhp V8 Engine coupled to a Five Speed Gearbox and driving through an aluminium Differential, Independent front and rear Suspension, factory fitted Immobiliser and Gear Lock System, Power Assisted Brakes, Stainless Steel Exhaust System and 15'' Chrome Wire Wheels. This example is in beautiful condition throughout and is a very rare car being the 80th of only 167 MK1V's built in total. It has now covered only 41, 000 miles from new and has been maintained meticulously to an excellent standard by specialists including Holmes Motor Company. It comes with all its original books and paperwork including Sales Invoice, lots of invoices, MOT Certificates and HMC literature. HMC's really do need to be seen in the flesh and driven to fully appreciate just how good they are to drive and own and with prices steadily increasing, they do represent a sound investment! Upon sale the car will come with a pre-sales service plus our own customer care package including a 55-point pre-delivery inspection and 6 months mechanical breakdown Parts & Labour Warranty which can be upgraded and extended at additional cost if required. It was MOT'd on 30th August 2024 with No Advisories. Car on display @ our showrooms in Mortlake, South West London. NB: Classic Chrome Ltd make every effort to ensure that the information in this advertisement is accurate and all statements as to provenance and condition are given as opinions only. When describing any car that is more than 20 years old, we sometimes have to rely on the car’s history file and any information provided by the previous owner(s). This information in passed on in good faith and is therefore not purported to be a statement of fact. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves as to the condition and fitness for use of the vehicle. This does not affect your statutory rights.
