Description
The Austin-Healey adventure begins in 1952 with the 100, fully designated as 100-4 BN-1. Admittedly, a little sexy name but the car makes up for everything. The design comes from Gerry Coker and is still appreciated as one of the most successful designs there is when it comes to classic cars.
Donald Healey was a man who realized that success in motorsport would also mean success in the sales of his cars. With the 100M and 100S, he launched two models that would become the most beloved classics of the brand. After its debut in 1952, Healey enters two cars for the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans. The cars are slightly modified and finish 12th and 14th. An impressive result for the debut at the legendary race and enough for Healey to offer a road car tuning kit that goes by the name of ‘Le Mans’. The kit is offered through dealers and consists of a much-loved aluminum cylinder head from Denis Welch, combined with a fast camshaft with high-ratio rocker arms, high compression pistons and a lighter flywheel. A 1¾” SU HD6 carburettor with intake manifold, coldairbox and special exhaust also find their way to the Healey. With the kit, the power increases from 90 to 100 hp and there is significantly more torque and power available throughout the rev range.
The condition of the Ivory White with Lobelia Blue ‘100M’ you see here is beautiful. The superb condition of the body is the result of a very extensive restoration and sparing use since then. The 100M is clearly cherished.
The original Dutch car was delivered in 1954 through the dealer in Heerlen and after about ten years of use, the car disappeared into a ‘hibernation’ for several decades. After the turn of the millennium, the car was awakened and thus fully and expertly restored. Nothing was overlooked, so that both the body with all the beautiful fits and beautiful paintwork and the perfectly matching details provide a top appearance.
The interior is also very nice, with stylish and high-quality dark blue leather and ivory-colored piping. The carpets are also in dark blue and, together with the dark blue soft top and the tonneau cover in the same colour, complete the look.
We can be relatively brief about the technology: the very pleasant four-cylinder, which is linked to a manual four-speed gearbox with overdrive, is in absolute top condition and has the right specifications to go through life as ‘100M’. The engine picks up beautifully and performs excellently, it is inevitable that this Healey drives like Donald Healey once imagined. The condition of the engine and associated parts is very good and trouble-free driving is therefore the order of the day with this beautiful English roadster.
The chassis and the good brakes also stand out positively, all in all, this Healey is a great party to be on the road with. A beautiful sound, good steering characteristics and more than appealing performance ensure that this BN1 is not only a pleasure to look at but also to drive.
This Austin-Healey 100, which is included in the ‘Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Registry’ with the associated certificates, also has a Heritage Trust certificate and Dutch registration documents.
