1956 Austin-Healey 100M BN2 Le Mans

1956 Austin-Healey 100M BN2 Le Mans
Chassis no. BN22-L/229678
Engine no. 1B/229678
2,660cc OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
2 SU Carburetors, 110bhp at 4,500 rpm
4-Speed, Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Documented ground up restoration
*Upgraded to 100M Le Mans spec
*In the Worldwide 100M Le Mans Registry
*Numbers matching example in original colors
*Eligible for the finest concours & rallies

THE AUSTIN HEALEY 100

Before the 100 LeMans, before the Healey 100S, there was simply the Austin-Healey 100, but what an amazing car it proved to be. The result of a partnership signed in 1952 between the head of BMC, Leonard Lord, and successful automotive engineer and Donald Healey, the '100' – so named for its top-speed capability – was unveiled at the 1952 Earl's Court Motor Show as a more sporting alternative to the rather stodgy Austin A90 Atlantic convertible. The 100 was simple and strong; the frame comprising a pair of steel rails that ran the length of the chassis about 17 inches apart, passing beneath the live rear axle and below the front lower wishbones. The alloy and steel body was supported by brackets extending outward from the main rails. The engine was the Austin 90 long-stroke four of 2660cc, developing 90bhp at 4000rpm and 144 foot-pounds of torque at 2000rpm. Griffith Borgeson would write "Such high torque at low engine speed is one of the competition assets of the Austin-Healey. Another is its durability...". The gear box was a three-speed manual unit with floor shift, enhanced by a Laycock de Normanville overdrive on second and third gears. In High Overdrive, top speed is about in excess of 100 mph. An endearing feature of the Austin-Healey is its lay-down windscreen, which adds greatly to its dashing, streamlined look, and not coincidentally, to its top speed.

Following the Austin-Healey 100's sensational debut at the 1952 Motor Show, the works had entered two mildly modified cars in the 1953 Le Mans 24-Hour Race. They finished in 12th and 14th places, a highly praiseworthy achievement for what were recognizably production sports cars. Accordingly, the name 'Le Mans' was chosen for a bolt-on tuning kit offered through Austin-Healey dealers, by means of which private owners could bring their cars up to a specification approaching that of the works entries. The kit included a pair of 1¾" SU HD6 carburetors, plus special inlet manifold and cold air box, high-lift camshaft, stronger valve springs and a distributor with alternative ignition advance curve. With the kit installed power increased from the standard 90 to 100bhp.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This stunning left-hand drive BN2 Roadster was completed on November 11, 1955 at the Longbridge works, bound for the U.S. market. The car left the factory wearing the gorgeous hue of Healy Blue, fitted with blue trim, and a blue top. The roadster was well optioned with a laminated glass windshield, a speedometer in miles-per-hour, a heater, and wire wheels.

In 2013, the 100 BN2 was brought to the renown restorers at BMC Classic Inc. of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where the Healey experts treated the car to an extensive ground up restoration. During the restoration the standard 100 BN2 was upgraded to full 100M Le Mans spec. The $95,000 restoration is wonderfully documented with a series of detailed photographs. Post restoration, the car was admitted to the worldwide 100M Le Mans Registry, where it is recognized as being an authentic Le Mans conversion. Since the completion of the restoration, the numbers matching roadster has only covered an estimated 5,000 miles. Today, the car is in outstanding condition; upon inspection it quickly becomes apparent that the car was built to a very high standard by experienced craftsmen. The car is accompanied by its tool roll and jack, owner's handbook, a British Heritage Trust Certificate, and its 100M Le Mans Registry Certificate (number C-163). This fine BN2 roadster would be a worthy addition to any collection of fine post-war British sports cars and would be eligible for such world-class motoring events as the annual California Mille.