1956 Austin-Healey 100M BN2 LeMans Roadster

Approximately 640 examples of the Austin-Healey 100 were built to 100M specification with 544 exported to the United States. This particular 100 BN2 was completed at the Longbridge Austin-Healey works in February of 1956. It is a left-hand drive example that was dispatched from the factory on March 6th of 1956. It was destined to the Donald Healey Works agency in Warwick, UK before being sold to S.O.G.I.D.A. sports car dealer in Brussels, Belgium. This car may have been modified by Donald Healey Works in Warwick to 100M Le Mans specifications. It may have been used for sports and competition events during its early years in Belgium.

This Healey was equipped with a heater, kilometers per hour speedometer, double vertical dip headlamps, a blue hardtop manufactured by Universal Laminators, sliding side screens, and a laminated windscreen. Its original colors, which it wears today, are Healey Blue over Blue upholstery.

Years later, the car migrated to the United States and purchased by a prior owner in 1979 before coming into the care of the current owner a few years ago. Over the years, the car has been kept in largely original and preserved condition, with its original, matching-numbers engine, bodywork, and sequential 100M Le Mans parts. The car has never been fully disassembled for restoration; it has received a mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment in 2019 which included rebuilding the shock absorbers, braking system and suspension while fresh Vredestein tires and a stainless-steel exhaust system were fitted. A new interior was installed, and the dashboard and gauges were restored.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2020