1955 Austin-Healey 100S

1955 Austin-Healey 100S
Ex-1955 Sebring 12h

Châssis no AHS3502
Moteur n° 1B222702
Boîte de vitesses n° 17437/ 2
2nd Austin-Healey 100s built of approx. 43 examples left worldwide

Born the fabled '100S', one of the rarest and most highly sought after of all Austin-Healey sports cars. The project that would culminate in the '100S' model began in 1953 when the factory began preparing the Austin-Healey 100 for competition. Dunlop disc brakes were one of the first important upgrades, followed in 1954 by the adoption of a Weslake-designed, 'single-port', aluminium cylinder head. Instead of the three-speed overdrive gearbox of the standard production model, the '100S' was fitted with the new C-series four-speed unit. Healey's body suppliers, Jensen, built the '100S' bodies in aluminium, the slightly different frontal treatment with its smaller oval radiator intake having been arrived at during development. There was no weather equipment, merely a low Perspex windscreen, while another of the model's distinctive features was its seats with their vertically slotted backs. A 20-gallon fuel tank filled the boot. With a claimed 132bhp on tap from the 2, 660cc four-cylinder engine, the '100S' was good for a top speed of around 210km/ h (130mph).

When a prototype driven by Lance Macklin and George Huntoon finished an excellent 3rd overall at the Sebring 12-Hour Race in March 1954, it seemed only logical that the competition version should be called the '100S'. The new car was premiered at the London Motor Show in October 1954 with deliveries commencing in February '55. Austin-Healey's contemporary advertising made much of the recent successful speed record attempt at Bonneville, Utah where a prototype had run for 24 hours, averaging 132. 2mph. Excluding prototypes and 'Special Test Cars' to '100S' specification, only 50 production versions were made, all being completed during 1955 and all with right-hand drive, approximately 50 percent of which were despatched new to the USA.

Chassis number 'AHS3502' is the second of these 50 '100S' competition models built by the Donald Healey Motor Company. The car was dispatched on 10th February 1955 to the Austin distributor in New York, USA and sold to Robert H Fergus from Columbus, Ohio, a well know sports car competitor. 'AHS3502' was entered in the Sebring 12-Hour Race in March 1955 to be driven by Fergus, Harley B Watts and Sandy McPherson, carrying competitor number '41'.

However, the car hit a wall on the way to the event and did not make the start. Number '41' was then taken over by one of the reserves, another Austin-Healey 100 driven by Bill Milliken and Les Smalley, which failed to finish. 'AHS3502' subsequently competed in various races in the USA and at Nassau in the Bahamas during the 1955 season (see Lawrenceville on file).

In 1958 the Healey was sold to Ralph Stevens of Maine, who undertook documented maintenance and repainted the car red in 1962, the recorded mileage at that time being 23, 000. In 1968, 'AHS3502' was acquired by Stan Hallinan of Concorde, New Hampshire, who kept the car until 2007, during which period it was scarcely used.
In 2007, after being locked away for approximately 39 years in a shed, the car was purchased from Stan Hallinan by Craig Hillinger, owner of The Healey Werks in Lawton, Iowa. Hillinger promptly sold it on to Stanley Bauer of Los Angeles, the recorded mileage at this time (July 2007) being 28, 467. On Stanley Bauer's behalf, leading Healey authority and restorer Steve Pike and one assistant from Marsh Classic Restorations (Australia) carried out a sympathetic refurbishment keeping all the original parts, repainted the car in factory Old English White and Lobelia Blue and re-commissioned it for road use. Completed in only 42 days at John Wilson's workshop, the Healey was then driven by Steve and Stanley to the latter's home in Beverly Hills, California.

Shortly after completion, 'AHS3502' featured as the cover car for 'Healey Northwest' magazine's December 2007 edition (copy on file). In March 2008, Stanley Bauer raced 'AHS3502' at the Phillip Island Historic Races in Melbourne, Australia and in May 2009 competed with it in the Mille Miglia in Italy. The car was shown at various events in the USA between 2007 and 2010
In November 2010, 'AHS3502' was sold to the previous owner in Switzerland, arriving there on 31st January 2011 (recorded mileage: 31, 875). Since then the Healey has participated in various touring events in Europe, competed in the Mille Miglia again in 2013

Sold to the current owner in 2014 who did many events as the 2015 - 2019- 2020 Mille Miglia, Tour Auto, Modena.

One of the most original '100S' models surviving, this fully documented car retains its original engine, gearbox, 2. 9:1 rear axle and aluminium body panels. Likewise original, the leather seats, instruments, cockpit surrounds, steering wheel and quick-release filler cap of this 56-year-old car are delightfully patinated.- Eligible for worlds most prestigious motorsports events
- One of the most original 100s in existence
- Very rare and sought after 100s
- Various spares