1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6
1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6
1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6
1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6
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Roadster
 
Introduced in 1957, the Austin-Healey 100-6 Roadster was powered by a 2.6-liter Austin engine with 102 horsepower. The car had new, longer body, which allowed two children's seats to be fitted in the rear of the cockpit. The new model was heavier and less sporty than its predecessor, but it appealed to a wider clientele. Donald Healey drove a prototype version of this car over 200 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats in August of 1956. The 100-6 was the first Austin- Healey to have a six-cylinder overhead cam engine with two SU side draft carburetors, a four-speed transmission with electric overdrive, and a new six-port cylinder head. In 1957, 7,382 100-6s were produced, with the vast majority of them being sold in the United States.
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Roadster
 
The Austin-Healey was the winner of a 1952 competition to design a new medium priced sports car that would be based on Austin mechanicals. Donald Healey's Hundred won the competition, receiving an award at the Earl's Court Motor Show in London. The car was renamed the Austin-Healey by Leonard Lord, head of BMC, prior to production in the spring of 1953. Initially the car was offered with the 90HP, 2660cc, four cylinder, 3-speed powertrain from the Austin A90 Atlantic. A new 102 HP, 2639cc, six, with a four-speed and electric overdrive, was introduced in 1957. This became the 100-6, which had a wheelbase increase to 92 inches, from 90.

Austin-Healeys soon became popular in America due to their reasonable price, good looks and tough, reliable drivetrain. Service was available at Austin dealers throughout the US. The same basic body and chassis were used through the final year of production in 1967. The 100-6 had a top speed of 104 mph, with 0-60 mph time of 12.9 seconds. A total of 10,826 100-6's were produced from August, 1956 to March, 1959. Its P.O.E. price was $3,195.

This car is equipped with the standard steel wheels and a two-tone paint scheme with matching interior. It has undergone a total body-off-frame restoration to the exact factory specifications.
The Austin Healey 100 was introduced in October of 1952 at the Earls Court Motor Show. The first Austin Healey 100's were known as 100-4 or BN1. The name 100 came-about by being able to break the 100 mph barrier. The BN also had meaning. The B represented the engine class which meant it had between 2000 and 3000 cc. The N represented the body-style configuration, two-seat and open-top. The 100 was powered by a A90, 2660 cc, four-cylinder engine capable of producing 94 horsepower. The manual three-speed transmission was also borrowed from the A90. However, the first gear was blocked off and was fitted with overdrive on the second and third gears to provide extra power.
The name 'Austin Healey' was formed by a partnership comprising of the designer, Donald Mitchell Healey, and the manufacturer, Austin.

During its total production cycle, 10,688 examples of the BN1 were produced.

In October of 1955, the BN2 was introduced. The BN2 was similar to the BN1 in design but now featured larger drum brakes and a new four-speed transmission with overdrive.

During its production run, 3,924 examples of the BN2 were produced.

The Austin Healey 100S was produced in limited numbers, only 55. Their primary purpose was for competing in racing and rally events as well as for development and marketing purposes. They were entered into races such as Sebring, Mille Miglia, and Le Mans. They were copies of special factory test car that Stirling Moss raced in the 1954 12-hour Sebring race where he placed third. The 100S's were produced at the Healey Warwick factory and most were decorated with the American racing colors, white and blue. Of the 55 that were built, only 10 remain unaccounted for. The 100S, when compared with the 100, featured Dunlop disc brakes on all four wheels, different cylinder head and internal engine modifications, four-speed gearbox without overdrive, and a light-alloy body shell.

The 100S was followed by the 100M. The 100M was a Le Mans variation of the BN2 with an increased horsepower rating of 100-110. It featured bigger carburetors and modified distributor. Valve springs and anti-roll bars were added to the suspension. During its production run, 1100 of the Le Mans BN2's were produced.

Over time, about 100 BN2 were later modified but in order to qualify for the Le Mans configuration the vehicles needed to meet specific standards. These standards included a 1.75 inch H6, SU carburetors, cold air box and air tube, Le Mans regulation strap and a factory style louvered hood.

The four cylinder engine was used from 1952 through 1956, after which a BMC six-cylinder engine was used. The car was dubbed the '100 Six'. Three years and a few engine modifications later, the car was named the '3000' and today is known as the 'Big Healey'. Over the production lifespan of the 3000, it could be assembled with multiple options such as a two-seater or 2+2, hard-tops, single or duo-tone paint schemes, overdrive, and more.

In 1962 the body was redesigned with a curved screen and wind up windows. The interior of the vehicle was revamped in 1964 and also received more ground clearance.

The 3000 was produced from 1959 through 1968. The original engine produced 124 horsepower and was capable of about 114 mph. Modifications to the engine throughout the years increased the horsepower to around 148 and the top speed to 121 mph. The size of the car, the power of the engine, and weighing in at around 2400 lbs made this car responsive, competitive and fun to drive.

In all, there were around 73,000 100's and 3000's produced with 58,000 featuring the six-cylinder engine.

Photos grouped by event

Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance

Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca

Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance

18th Annual Burn Prevention Foundation Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

2006 Walnut Street Invitational Car Show in Shadyside

2005 PVGP Car Show

2005 Crown Royal Invitational Car Show on Walnut Street

1957 Austin-Healey 100-6

Year1957
MakeAustin-Healey
Model100-6
Body StyleRoadster
Engine LocationFront
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Production Years for Series1956 - 1959
Weight2478 lbs | 1124 kg
Combined MPG0.00

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis NumberBN432315

Performance
Top Speed140 mph | 225.3 km/h Similar top speeds

Engine  
Engine ConfigurationS
Cylinders6
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement2660.00 cc | 162.3 cu in. | 2.7 L.
Valves12 valves.
2 valves per cylinder.
ValvetrainOHV
Horsepower180.00 HP (132.5 KW)
Torque149.00 Ft-Lbs (202 NM)
HP to Weight Ratio13.8 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter66.7 BHP / Liter
Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
Gears4
TransmissionManual
Final Drive4.13


 
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Vehicle Ratings
StylingVehicle Styling Rating: 100%
PerformanceVehicle Performance Rating: 80%
InteriorVehicle Interior Rating: 80%
QualityVehicle Quality Rating: 80%
OverallVehicle Overall Rating: 100%
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Articles and Event Coverage
Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance
Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca
Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance
18th Annual Burn Prevention Foundation Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
2006 Walnut Street Invitational Car Show in Shadyside
2005 PVGP Car Show
2005 Crown Royal Invitational Car Show on Walnut Street
2005 Chicago Il

Additional Resources and Links
Walnut Street Invitational Car Show in Shadyside Official Website
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Car Show Official Website
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Official Website
Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States Official Website
Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance Official Website
Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance Official Website
Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca Official Website


Other Model Years
1959 100-6
1958 100-6
1956 100-6
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