Description
Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
Viewing: Tues 20th May from 12pm
Auction: Wed 21st May from 9am
Location: St John's Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE
1959 Austin-Healey 100/ 6
Ultra rare 'home market' 100/ 6 two-seater, 1 of just 133 produced
Estimate
£30, 000 - £35, 000
Registration No: WLU 990
Chassis No: BN6/ 4489
MOT: Exempt
Ultra rare ‘home market’ 100/ 6 BN6, 1 of just 133 cars in BN6 two-seat format
Comprehensively restored in the United Kingdom during the 1990s
Thereafter displayed in a German showroom for 10 years
In current ownership since 2016 and significantly improved during this time
Donald Healey's eponymous company built a prototype two-seater sports car for display at the 1952 London Motor Show, which was dubbed the ‘Healey Hundred' (a moniker chosen to reflect the car's ability to reach 100mph). As things transpired, the prototype captivated the public and so excited Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, that he agreed to build the car in volume at Longbridge, with the newcomer renamed the Austin-Healey 100. The rest is history! The production bodyshells were made by Jensen and then transported to Longbridge where the cars were assembled alongside the A90. The early cars (code-named BN1 and BN2) were equipped with the same four-cylinder 90bhp 2, 660cc engine as the A90. The 100 had 11-inch drum brakes all round with independent front suspension by coil springs, while the rear featured a traditional live axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. The last of the 100 models, the BN4 (2+2-seater) and BN6 (2-seater) had a two-inch longer wheelbase and were powered by the six-cylinder 2639cc BMC C-Series engine previously found in the Austin Westminster. Early versions gave 102bhp, but by 1957 output of the 100/ 6 had risen to 117bhp, thanks to the adoption of a new twelve-port cylinder head.
Manufactured on the 30th of January 1959, chassis ‘BN6/ 4489’ was dispatched new to Car Mart Limited of London, NW1 being registered as ‘WLU 990’. One of just 133 home market two-seater 100/ 6 (BN6) examples produced, it is believed to be one of just 15 built during 1959. Finished from the factory in the desirable Pacific Green paintwork with a Grey interior upholstery, the BN6 was specified with the factory equipment of wire wheels shod with Roadspeed tyres, a laminated windscreen, and the all imported overdrive gearbox. Comprehensively restored during the 1990s, the Austin-Healey remained in Britain until 2007 when it was thereafter exported to Germany. Residing throughout its whole time while on the continent in a showroom as a static exhibit, the Healey was repatriated to the United Kingdom by the vendor in 2016, but not before benefiting from a John Skinner interior panel kit.
Extensively improved and regularly used during the vendor's ownership, the Healey has received aluminium fuel tank in 2016; a full ignition system with sports coil and 123 electronic distributor, new stainless steel calipers, and Triplex windscreen in 2017; an electronic fuel pump in 2018; and radiator refresh in 2019, with some £4, 000 spent on parts alone and fitted by the engineer vendor, and additionally new wire wheels fitted with the more convenient Firestone tubeless tyres. Achieving 2nd in Class in the 2019 Austin-Healey Club GB (Midlands & Overseas Centre) Concours d'Elegance at Elford Hall, the Austin-Healey started readily, and both ran and drove very well during our recent photography session. Further benefitting from Girling disc front brakes, heater, straight-cut gearbox, a stainless-steel exhaust, and Mike Lempert steering wheel, the Healey also boasts a history file including a Heritage Certificate, a large collection of invoices with many from AH Spares, and a V5C document showing five former keepers.
Also accompanied by a spares package including a brand new brake servo and the original steering wheel and distributor, as well as its hood assembly and a new Mohair fitted tonneau cover. One of the ultra-rare home market BN6 two-seater Healey 100/ 6s, and benefitting from the desirable overdrive gearbox, the Healey will also be driven to the sale!
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
