1955 Austin-Healey 100M

Automotive developer and racer Donald Healey, looking to reach a broader sports car market, developed this iconic British sports car in the early 1950s using a 4-cylinder Austin A90 engine. An initial success, British Motors Corporation saw the value of a strong competitor to the Triumph TR Series and took over production.

The Austin-Healey 100 made its debut at the 1952 London Motor Show. The attractive little car caught the attention of the then-acting director of Austin, Leonard Lord, who wanted to add 'Austin' to the name through a partnership deal, proposed by Donald Healey. After funding was in place, the production of the Austin Healey 100-4 began, from 1953 until 1956. These little roadsters were successful both on the road and the track, being campaigned at circuits worldwide by both factory racecars and privateer entrants. Two mildly modified examples were entered in the Le Mans 24-Hour Race, finishing in 12 and 14th overall, and second in class. The name 'Le Mans' was later used for a bolt-on tuning kit offered through Austin-Healey dealers, allowing private owners to have cars brought to a specification approaching that of the works entries. The kit added a pair of 1¾-inch SU HD6 carburetors plus a special inlet manifold and cold air box, high-lift camshaft, stronger valve springs, and distributor with alternative ignition advance curve. The kit brought horsepower from the standard 90 to 100 bhp.

Beginning in October of 1955, the conversion became available from the factory on the successor BN2 model in the form of the 100M. The 100M added the LeMans kit plus high-compression pistons, stiffer front anti-roll bar, special Armstrong front dampers, and a louvered bonnet. Power rose to 110 bhp and top speed was rated at 120 mph.

The exact number of BN1s converted by their owners is not known. However, 1,159 examples - mostly BN2s - were built or later modified to 100M specifications between 1955 and 1956. Of those, approximately 640 were completed at the factory, and around 544 were exported to the USA. It is believed that around 200 survive.

The 1955 Austin-Healey 100 Sport Roadster had a base price of nearly $3,000. The 100M specification brought the price to almost $3,300 while the 100S (Sebring) was $5,000. The 100S was a racing version that had an aluminum body without bumpers, a modified engine with Weslake cylinder heads, and all-around disc brakes. Just 50 examples of the 100S were built in 1955. The highly tuned engine offered 132 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque.

Few changes were made to the 1955 Healey except for the addition of a four-speed gearbox in place of the original three-speed unit. Standard equipment included knock-on wire wheels, twin carburetors, 4-speed with manual-activated overdrive, and a defroster.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster
Chassis number: BNIL/225762
Engine number: IB225762M

This 1955 Austin-Healey 100M LeMans Roadster was offered for sale at the 2007 Christies auction of 'Exceptional Motor Cars at the Monterey Jet Center.' It is black with white coves with red interior. Power is from a four-cylinder engines breathing through twin carburetors and capable of producing 112 bhp. There is a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive and disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear.

It was not long after World War II that Donald Healey secured himself a reputation as being one of the most respected British rally competitor and sports car engineers of the time. His cars were run with great success at the Mille Miglia and LeMans, proving the cars capabilities and stamina.

The Austin-Healey 100, first seen at the 1952 London Motor Show, continued the tradition of an attractive, winning sports car. In 1953 the Austin-Healey 100 was raced at LeMans. It featured modifications such as a high-lift camshaft and stronger valve-springs. The engine's breathing was improved with the help of 1.75-inch SU HD6 carburetors fitted to special inlet manifolds, and drawing through a cold air box. The suspension was given equal attention with larger dampers and anti-roll bar. The heat from the engine was removed with the help of a special louvered bonnet. A production version consisting of these changes was seen in 1955 with the introduction of the 100M. In total, there 1,159 examples produced.

The 100M models had a top speed of 109 mph with the screen up. When lowered, the top speed jumped even higher, to 120 mph. The car could race from zero to a quarter mile in a mere 18.1 seconds.

This example has had recent routine maintenance. Its owner has driven the car regularly and has even had the actress Jennifer Love Hewitt in the car. At auction the car was estimated to sell for $45,000 - $65,000. Those estimates proved to be very accurate, as a new owner was found and willing to purchase the vehicle for $55,000, including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Roadster

This Austin Healey sports car was created by Donald Healey in 1953, using a 2.7-liter, four cylinder Austin A-90 engine. The 100M was a special enhanced version of the car offered for just one year, 1955-1956. Modifications included a high compression head, four-speed gearbox with overdrive and improved front brakes. 100Ms competed in the Mille Miglia in 1953 and 1954.

Sport Roadster

This Austin Healey is a factory built LeMans 100M Roadster. It is one of 640 factory built cars and currently less than half have survived. This car is entered into the 'Worldwide 100M LeMans Registry', categorized as an FC Top, Gold Level 'Registry Confirmed Factory built 100M.'

Sport Roadster

This car was selected by Donald Healey to introduce the new 100M model to the public at the Earl's Court Motor Show in London in October of 1955. To attract attention it was painted black, with pink coves and a pink interior (colors selected by the car's designer, Gerry Coker, along with Donald Healey). This being the only Austin Healey to ever be completed by the factory in these colors. It was raced by Donald Healey and Roy Jackson-Moore in Nassau, Bahamas in December of 1955 and by Jackson-Moore at Santa Barbara and Palm Springs, California in 1956. As an old race car, it was lost for 20 years, when Alan Alfano purchased it, installed a correct 100M motor and proceeded to restore it. It still has a pink leather interior. It was not until 1985 that the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust informed him it was the Earl's Court 100M show car. He completed his restoration in 1991.

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.

by Dan Vaughan