1956 Austin-Healey 100M BN2 LeMans Roadster

Before the start of series production of the new 'Hundred' roadster that had been introduced at the Earls Court in 1952, Donald Healey commissioned a small batch of pre-production examples for the motor show circuit and racing events. At the Mille Miglia, one example suffered a broken throttle linkage which required withdrawal from the event. Four cars were entered in the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans. With stock bumpers and windscreens, two of them finished 12th and 14th overall. In celebration of the accomplishments at LeMans, a small batch of 640 BN2-based 100M models were factory-produced in 1955 and 1956. They had a reclining windscreen, and a louvered bonnet with Le Mans-regulation leather retraining strip. Mechanical upgrades included a high-lift camshaft, larger 1 3/4-inch SU carburetors, high-compression pistons, a free-flowing intake manifold, a cold-air box, and a special distributor. The modified engine produced 110 horsepower and handling was improved with enlarged anti-roll bars.

This example is an original left-hand-drive export model that was completed on May 4th of 1956 and shipped to San Francisco. It was factory-equipped with a heater and a laminated windscreen.

The car's intervening history is not known; it was treated to a sympathetic restoration which was completed in 2008.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2014