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Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec

Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec

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Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec
Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec
Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec
Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec
Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans SpecAustin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec
Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec
Lot number 77
Hammer value £33,000
Description Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Le Mans Spec
Registration DSK 628
Year 1955
Colour Blue/White
Engine size 2,660 cc
Chassis No. 50445716
Engine No. 1B220557M

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 car was immediately renamed the Austin-Healey 100 and was finished alongside the A90 at Longbridge based on fully trimmed and painted body/chassis units produced by Jensen in West Bromwich.

The first 100s (series BN1) were equipped with the same 2.6-litre four-cylinder engines as the stock A90, but the gearbox was modified to be 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.

The BN2 was in turn replaced by the longer and heavier six-cylinder 100/6 in 1956, but many enthusiasts believe that the earlier four-cylinder car is a better balanced machine. A stock BN1 tested by The Motor magazine in 1953 had a top speed of 106mph and could accelerate from 0-60 in 11.2 seconds with fuel consumption of 22.5mpg. A total of 10,688 BN1s were built and are now perhaps the most desirable of the Healey models being the purest and the most fun to drive, not to mention being eligible for many historic events including the Mille Miglia.

As with the vast majority of Healey 100s, this particular BN1 was exported new in 1955 to America, returning here from California in September 1990 where it had one owner before being acquired by the vendor in May 1996. A good, rust-free example from the outset, the vendor had the car substantially restored and uprated shortly after purchase, his intention being to use it as a historic rally car on long-distance Continental events, hence why it has retained its LHD configuration (FIVA Papers being gained in 1996).

As he already owned several other classics, including two rally-prepared ones, the Healey never got used competitively but is still suited to such a purpose should the new owner so desire. The list of work carried out to date is too detailed to list in full here, but highlights include: body restoration and repaint in 1997; full Brown & Gammons engine rebuild with new pistons and unleaded head and a rebuilt differential in 1997 at a cost of £9,000; Dennis Welch engine upgrade in 2000/2003 to Le Mans spec with high-lift cam, Stage 2 head, uprated carbs and manifolds, spin-on oil filter conversion, rear crank seal upgrade kit, tuned exhaust etc. The car retains its original 3-speed gearbox with overdrive on 2nd and 3rd.

The chassis was rust-proofed in 2007 and the braking system overhauled. More recently new batteries have been fitted and the engine has been tuned and serviced with various bills on file. Inside, the car has been fitted with period competition seats with three-point race/rally seatbelt anchor points and matching blue seat belts (included but not yet fitted). The original seat frames are also included should the new owner prefer to return it to standard. A competition steering wheel, battery cut-off switch and a few other modifications complete the interior package. A soft top and frame are also included along with a spare wheel, two spare road tyres and five barely used mud and snow tyres.

Since the engine was rebuilt the car has only covered some 2,800 miles and it is said to drive beautifully, certainly firing up instantly and running nicely as we manoeuvred it for these pictures. Supplied with a good file of bills and some 17 old MOTs showing light but regular use, the car is currently MOTd until July 2015 with no advisories recorded. Altogether a nicely upgraded car from long-term enthusiast ownership which is ready for a new owner to enjoy right away.  

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