1959 Austin-Healey 100-6 Roadster

The Austin-Healey 100-Six, arrived in September 1956 and was the first update of Donald Healey's successful Austin-Healey 100. It came with more power and performance. The Austin Westminster's 2693-cc 'C-Series' inline six-cylinder engine was given twin carburetors and expertly tuned by Geoff Healey, Eddie Maher, and Harry Weslake. Other updates to the 100-6 included a slight streamlining of the body, functional hood scoop, and a wider and lower oval-shaped radiator grille. The wheelbase was extended by two-inches, allowing additional room for a pair of occasional rear seats in the BN4 2+2 models. The sportier two-seat BN6 was available for 1958 and 1959 on the same 92-inch wheelbase.

In 1957, with the help of a revised cylinder head and intake manifold, horsepower increased to 117. Overdrive, previously standard equipment, was made optional. The two-seat BN6 roadster had a top speed of nearly 104 mph, with 0-to-60 mph taking just 10.7 seconds.

To help promote the launch of the next six-cylinder Healey, special competition versions were built and dispatched to the Bonneville Salt Flats during the summer of 1956 for an assault on a number of speed records. Carroll Shelby and Donald Healey handled the driving duties, and broke 28 International and American records, including a record beyond the 200-mph barrier in a supercharged Healey.

This is a late-production 100-6 and includes the desirable front-disc brakes. The car was completed during the first week of February 1959 as an original left-hand drive North American export model and dispatched on February 11th for the United States via Los Angeles. It came from the factory with an adjustable steering column, heater, overdrive, Road Speed tires, and a set of wire-spoke wheels.

The current caretaker purchased the car in 2010, from the prior owner of some 25 years. It has been given a body-off-frame restoration with the work being completed in 2014. Its post-restoration show debut was at the Austin-Healey Club Concours where it achieved Gold honors. This 100-6 was then loaned for display at the Le May Automobile Museum in Tacoma, Washington.

Since the restoration was completed, it has logged just 100 miles.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015