The Purchase, Part 1
In March of 1962, Nerheim took the decisive step and visited England in pursuit of a Healey. These photos are from his visit to the "Healey Cars Sales Ltd." showroom on Grosvenor Street in London. While the factory - the "works" - was in Warwick, Donald Healey's small company also operated a car sales showroom in London for a time. The back of two of the photos is annotated:
PLACE: LONDON, ENGLAND
DATE: Tues. March 6, 1962
Here we see Nerheim inspecting the Healey he will soon own, at Donald Healey's own showroom in London. Note the Bonneville Salt Flats poster on the wall showing one of the record-setting Healeys on a trailer.
Another view of Nerheim's Healey with Nerheim still inspecting the interior. Note the MG Midget at right. The Midget would likely have been a new car at the time.
Here is Nerheim about to embark on his first drive - the test drive - in his Healey. Note that the hood has been folded, the side curtains removed and the windscreen lowered to the "racing position" as he backs out of the garage into London traffic.
Back from the test drive.
The previous owner of Nerheim's Healey, noted as "Stephens" on the sales paperwork, had installed "wing mirrors" that have since been removed and the holes filled, as well as a Lucas driving light and a Lucas fog light mounted behind the bumper overriders.
Nerheim removed these mirrors and extra lights long ago, and they are no longer with the car.
Note the registration of RYW 188 indicating that the car was registered in London, and both the front and rear plates are still with the car and included in the sale, of course.