Austin-Healey 100/6 BN6

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. APLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED.

Launched at the 1952 London Motor Show, the Healey 100 sports car was developed by Donald Healey and was based on the mechanicals of the Austin A90 Atlantic. The design so impressed Leonard Lord, managing director of Austin, that a deal was struck with Healey to build it in quantity at Austin's Longbridge factory.

The first 100s (series BN1) were equipped with the same 90bhp 2,660cc four-cylinder engines as the stock A90, but the gearbox was modified to a three-speed unit with overdrive on second and top. Braking was by Girling 11-inch drums all round with independent front suspension using coil springs and a rigid rear axle with semi elliptic leaf springs. The steering was by a cam and lever system. These were built from May 1953 but were replaced by the BN2 model in mid-1955, now with a four-speed overdrive gearbox, slightly larger front wheel arches, a different rear axle and optional two-tone paint.

In 1956 came the last development of the 100 range, the 100/6. This came in either two-seat (BN6) or 2+2 (BN4) format and was powered by a tuned version of the six-cylinder BMC C-Series engine previously fitted to the Austin Westminster and producing 117bhp. The wheelbase was increased by 2-inches and an air scoop built in to the bonnet. As tested by The Motor in 1959, a 100/6 had a top speed of 104mph and could reach 60mph in 10.7 seconds. It was replaced by the Healey 3000 in 1959.

As its accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this particular BN6 two-seater was made between 9th and 13th May 1958 and dispatched to Düsseldorf, Germany, on 21st May 1958. Originally black with a red interior and a black hood, it had the desirable options of wire wheels, overdrive, a heater, laminated windscreen and double vertical dip headlamps.

Little is known of the subsequent history of the car but in May 2011 it was discovered in New England, USA, and shipped back to England among a batch' of classic English cars, to make up the numbers in a half-full container. On arrival in England, the engine was successfully ‘fired up’ with the injection of new fuel directly into the carburettors and it reportedly “ran quite well”.

The car comes complete with a full set of weather gear comprising hood, frame and sidescreens, plus a customs import form C&E 386 confirming that all duties have been paid. One of the most iconic British sportscars ever made, it should amply reward the straightforward restoration that is now required.