Long-Stored Project: 1956 Austin Healey 100/4
In the early 1950s, the Donald Healey Motor Company was producing four models, all of them large-ish cars, and all of them expensive. After a trip to the US in 1951, Healey concluded that a market gap existed between the Jaguar XK120 and the MG T-series. Over the course of the ensuing year, his team built the Healey 100. Designed by Gerry Coker – who had never penned an entire car before – the little Healey 100/4 BN1 finally emerged after many design changes, utilizing Austin’s economical OHV four-cylinder engine, gearbox, and suspension. Its body was built by Jensen and assembly was by Austin. The car was capable of 100 mph (frequently exceeding that figure in tests). Demand proved strong but niggling issues resulted in changes. The three-speed overdrive gearbox was less than satisfactory and the aluminum bodywork was expensive. By 1955, the car had a true four-speed overdrive gearbox and two-tone paint. This was the BN2. About 14,600 examples were made, including all variants, from 1953 through the end of production in 1956. Here on craigslist is a late series BN2, this 1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 project car. The asking price is $22,500 and the car is located in Saratoga, California. Thanks to T.J. for spotting this garage find!
The AH 100/4 motor, fitted with two SU 1.5″ carburetors, displaces 2660 cc’s and produces 90 hp. But Healey, a veteran of the track, tweaked the engine and went racing. Placing 12th and 14th at LeMans in 1953 generated even more excitement around the new car. Seizing on the opportunity, Healey marketed the famous “LeMans kit”, sold through dealers, for ordinary 100/4s. A high lift camshaft, stronger valve springs, a modified distributor, a new inlet manifold with two SU 1.75” carburetors, and a cold air box boosted horsepower by ten ponies. (Anyone know what famous American went racing with Donald Healey to Bonneville with two heavily modified Healeys? Let us know below!) This gearbox should be a four-speed with overdrive. This example is said to be “mechanically sound and complete” which I translate to mean it is running and driving.
The seller indicates he bought this car from its original owner, and that it has been garaged for forty years. Some restoration work has been performed, including stripping panels for paint and removing the floors. It does have rust, and while the interior is in worn original condition, a new paint job will only emphasize its fading and flaws. That’s why partial restorations can be so vexing – sometimes a car calls for all or nothing.
The underside has that comforting sheen of British oil; the limited photos show no accident damage or debilitating frame rust. The seller indicates that substantial original documentation accompanies the car, showing its purchase in Paris, France, by a member of the US Air Force and subsequent importation. The car has a clean title and pink slip. The price is on target – perhaps even a bit on the low side – given its condition. How would you tackle this restoration?
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Comments
That would Be Carroll Shelby, Michelle. I once had a nice conversation about Austin-Heleys and Donald Healey himself with Carroll, who also raced a Healey 100S in the Carrera Panamericana. That resulted in a crash and a broken leg….
Carroll’s first choice for what became the Cobra was, in fact, an Austin-Healey with a domestic V8 (he wanted Chevy, but GM said “no”). BMC was lukewarm as well.
I owned a BN2. A lovely car, and much-improved with the four-speed gearbox. Mine was not as nice as this when I got it, but then as now, parts were easy enough to come by.
The antics of a shady restoration shop caused a parting of the ways, but I wish I still had it. This one would do well and, given the state of the market now, the price is right, assuming there is no rot lurking.
Just as a final aside, the first BN2 I ever drove was a very clean example on a used-car lot, circa 1969. The dealer wanted $750 for it. I thought that was too high!
You win, Shelby it was. Yes, the conversation about gracing the AH with a V8 went nowhere, so AC got the glory. I wonder if there were any regrets about that…. And also, I found a couple AH 100 cars with V8s installed in the day, kinda cool.
Yes, I remember seeing a few 100s with SBCs in ’em. Even a 100S, which I thought was the pinnacle of heresy!
The swap made sense: more power, and less weight. But none of my three Healeys — a Frogeye Sprite, 100 and 3000, in that order — was terribly exciting when it came to straight-line speed. It was the overall driving experience that grabbed me.
It was serendipitous for all concerned (Shelby, the Hurlock Brothers of AC, and Ford Motor Co.) that the Bristol six-cylinder engine went out of production when it did. BMC had a replacement on hand when the A90 “four” was phased out, and that kept Austin-Healey going until 1967.
I was 15 and found a 100/4 sitting in the parking lot of a golf course in Pelham, NH with a hand written for sale sign. Peering underneath the car I could see the oil pan was missing. I bought it for $300. Found the oil pan in the trunk, and not really knowing much about engine mechanics. I put the oil pan back on and when I turned 16 this was my daily driver through my last 2 years of high school. Mine was a 1956 with the 4 speed plus overdrive. It was a fun car, but in the summers even with the top down that engine made some serious heat in the cockpit. I worked the evening shift at a gas station and my coworker had a 1967 TR4A with it’s roll up windows and wood grain dash, it seemed like a Rolls Royce next to my barebones Healey. But after work when we raced, it always had the better of that TR4.
Our two ’55s were a lot of fun. One just required paint, the other had rust problems we had to solve but did keep it on the road while we repaired it. Had the 3 speed box with the granny first gear blocked off in both cars. Would loved to have this car to start fixing up.
The first Healey 100 displayed at the Earls Court Motor Show of 1952 was all-aluminium. The production cars were a mixture. They were steel-bodied but with alloy deck lids front and back. It remained that way until 1967.
This particular BN-2 seems “kinda” reasonably-priced and is worth fully restoring. Prices will only continue their overall upward trend.
As a 20 year old automobile enthusiast working my way through Art school by repairing all my friends transportation vehicles, one friend found an original 1956 BN2 Factory LaMans with matching serial numbers on trunk stay, front valance, louverd hood, and firewall, documented similar as military service man imported from Iceland! The car was in San Diego disassembled into the smallest possible parts. Because I had to touch every part, it assembled lake a Revel model. The car sold at auction or a record amount at the time, $8,500.00 to Bill Fishfader of Vacaville, CA, a Cadillac dealership owner. The car won Hillsbourgh Concourse twice in non consecutive years! Last I heard it was in Switzerland. AHHHH Memories. That car had torque like a locomotive! Great fun! Very high valued! This car deserves similar attention. Go for it!
Love this model Healey. Would love to own a tinker on this one!
@Ray T. The Austin Healey 100/4 had the Austin A70 4 cylinder engine. The Austin A 90 was a six cylinder engine used in the 100/6 and the 3000cc.
Just checked Geoff Healey’s book (“Austin Healey”) and he refers to the engine as being from the Austin A90. IIRC, the “six” was from the Austin A105.
The BN1/BN2 engine displaced 2660 ccs. According to a hasty Internet search, the A70 engine was 2.2 liters….
You are absolutely correct Ray T. I owned an A105 Westminster back in 1963 which was a six cylinder and thought that it was just an upgraded A 90. Just shows how a person that thinks he knows everything learns something new every day, even at 83 years old!
I see an LS3 sitting in that car just for the fun of it.
Ridiculous!
I started writing to Donald Healey when I was 12 and we became good friends. He invited me to England when I was 20… had an incredible time. His son Brian gave me a personal tour of the Jensen factory, which at the time was constructing the Jensen Healey.
I still drive a BugEye,( Donald’s favorite car!) but I must say, ( and Donald agreed) the 100-4 is the most beautiful Healey ever made!