1959 Austin-Healey 100-6

Perhaps inspired by his work with Nash, Donald Healey began working on a prototype automobile built using British running gear and presented in October of 1952 at the London Motor Show. American servicemen in Europe fueled the growing popularity of the British sports cars, and Healey hoped to capitalize on this lucrative U.S. clientele. His two-seater wore a design by Gerry Coker which caught the eye of Leonard Lord, head of Austin-parent British Motor Corporation. Lord struck a deal with Healey to build the motorcar in quantity. Jensen Motors was tasked with building the bodies and mechanical components were courtesy of Austin built at its Longbridge factory. The car was renamed the Austin-Healey 100 and entered production in 1953.

True to its name, the Healey was capable of achieving 100 mph. Its successor, the Austin-Healey 3000, would be been named after its 3,000cc engine displacement size. The 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine powering the Austin-Healey 100 offered 90 horsepower. The undersquare engine had a 3.4-inch bore and a 4.4-inch stroke. The original three-speed gearbox was replaced by a four-speed unit with overdrive in 1964 and the model designation was changed from BN1 to BN2. 11-inch Girling drum brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power. The suspension was comprised of modified Austin A90 components with an independent setup in the front with double wishbones using coil springs, while the rear used a rigid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. The steering was by Austin's worm and peg system.

Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 11.2 seconds and the top speed was 106 mph. Before the BN1 was replaced by the BN2 model in AUgust of 1955, a total of 10,030 examples were produced.

The Austin-Healey 100 BN2

The BN2 came with a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive on the top two gears. Two-tone paint was optional, and different rear axle and slightly larger front wheel arches were among the distinguishable changes. Two-tone optional paint schemes included Healey Blue/White, Florida Green/White, Black/Reno Red, Reno Red/Black, and White/Black.

Including the 100M versions, a total of 4,604 examples of the BN2s were built through July of 1956.

The Austin-Healey 100M

The 100M was a high-performance version of the beloved Austin-Healey 100, with high-lift camshafts, 8.1:1 compression pistons, larger carburetors, and a cold air box to increase engine airflow. Horsepower was rated at 100 bhp at 4,500 RPM. Along with improvements to the engine, the suspension was stiffened, a leather belt secured the bonnet, and louvers were added to the bonnet. Most (approximately 70 percent) of the 100Ms were finished in a two-tone paint scheme, including one White over Red and another in Black over Pink for display at the 1955 London Motor Show.

The factory-built 640 examples of the 100M, and these high-performance components were also available for purchase and installation through BMC. It was known as the Le Mans Engine Modification Kit and could be installed in either a BN1 or BN2.

The Austin-Healey 100S

The 'S' in the 100S nameplate was for 'Sebring' and these models were built primarily for racing. Their highly-tuned engines delivered 130 bhp at 4,700 RPM, and only 50 of these aluminum-bodied 100S were hand-built by the Donald Healey Motor Company at Warwick. Five 'Works' development cars, with 'SPL' chassis number prefix, were built during 1953 and 1954, with one winning its class at Sebring in 1954, prompting the 'S' designation.

A Weslake designed aluminum cylinder head replaced the cast iron unit, and the overdrive unit was not installed. Bumpers and hood were removed, the grille reduced in size, and a plastic windscreen replaced glass. Dunlop disc brakes were placed all-round, earning the 100S the distinction of being the world's first production car so equipped in front and rear.

The Austin-Healey 100-6

In late September of 1956, Austin-Healey announced a two-seater roadster named the 100-6. It would serve as a replacement for the Austin-Healey 100 and would remain in production from 1956 to 1959. Its successor was the Austin-Healey 3000.

The 100-Six, alternatively known as the 100-6, was the first update of Donald Healey's very successful Austin-Healey 100. It brought more power and performance courtesy of its twin-carbureted version of the Austin Westminster's 2,639-cc 'C-Series' inline six-cylinder engine, expertly tuned by Geoff Healey, Eddie Maher, and Harry Weslake, with engine output raised to 102 bhp at 4,600 rpm. Additional updates included a wider and lower oval-shaped radiator grille, a fashionable and functional hood scoop, a slight streamlining of the body, and a thoroughly revised cockpit.

The 100-6 was produced in two model designators, the 2+2 BN4 from 1956 onwards and the 2-seat BN6 in 1958 and 1959.

In 1957, a revised intake manifold and cylinder head brought output to 117 bhp. The previous standard overdrive unit was made optional. With the 117 bhp engine, zero-to-sixty mph was achieved in 10.7 seconds and had a top speed of 103.9 mph.

Production at the Longbridge plant was transferred in late 1957 to the MG plant at Abingdon. By the time production came to a close in 1959, a total of 14,436 examples of the 100-6 had been produced.

To generate publicity for the upcoming launch of the new six-cylinder Healey and to prove the effectiveness of its power unit, special competition versions were built and dispatched to the fabled Bonneville Salt Flats during the summer of 1956 for an assault on a number of speed records. Driving duties were handled by Donald Healey and American driver Carroll Shelby, and by the time the many speed runs were concluded, the six-cylinder Healey had broken 28 International and American records, including a record beyond the 200-mph barrier in a supercharged Healey.

The Austin-Healey 3000 was produced from 1959 to 1967 when it was replaced by the MG MGC. It was powered by a 3-liter BMC C-Series engine and added disc brakes for its front wheels.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: BN6L3511

It is believed that just 329 examples of the 100-Six two-seater BN6 produced in 1959. This vehicle was given a cosmetic restoration in 1989 that included a paint re-spray, new correct Connolly leather upholstery, fresh carpeting and a new convertible top and tonneau. It is one of the later variants equipped with the more powerful six-port engine head. It includes a number of authentic accessories, including its original side curtains and their stowage bag, rare original AMCO white rubber floor mats and a factory hardtop. The car is finished in its original color scheme of Healey Blue over Ivory White.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was expected to sell for $75,000 - $90,000. As bidding came to a close, the car was sold for the sum of $46,200 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: BN6L4541

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 Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: BN4L-0/75787
Engine number: 26D-RU-H/75787

This 1959 Austin-Healey 100-6 BN4 has a matching-numbers engine, chassis, and body. It was built on March 11th of 1959 and left the factory as a left-hand drive example destined for North America, specified for Canadian export (to a dealer in Halifax, Canada). It originally wore a Healey Blue exterior with a blue top and a blue interior. Factory equipment included roadspeed tires, wire wheels, transmission with overdrive, an adjustable steering column, a heater, miles-per-hour speedometer, and a laminated windscreen.

At some point in the car's existence, it received a restoration and finished in red with color-matched hardtop and fender-mounted mirrors. There are chrome knock-off wire wheels, a Smith heater, and an overdrive transmission. The interior is trimmed in black with red welting. The dashboard is done in black leather, and there is a suite of Smiths instrumentation.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

The Austin-Healey 100-6 BN4 was a 2-seat roadster produced from 1956 to 1959. Late 100-6 models were called 'MM' or Mille Miglia. The 2.6-liter inline 6-cylinder engine produced 117 horsepower and was paired with a manual transmission with electro-hydraulic overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears. This example was given a 30-year frame-off restoration that was completed in 2016.

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