1955 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 Roadster
Registration no. HBR 44
Chassis no. BN1-224571
Engine no. 1B224574

Donald Healey's stylish Austin-Healey 100 caused a sensation when it debuted at the 1952 London Motor Show. Intended as a low-cost high-performance sports car and aimed at the US market, which took almost 100% of production initially, the Austin-Healey 100 sourced its major components from the Austin Atlantic saloon. Low-revving and torquey, the latter's 2,660cc four-cylinder engine produced an unremarkable 90bhp, but when installed in the lighter and more streamlined Healey the result was a genuine 100mph-plus car capable of reaching 60mph in under 11 seconds. A three-speed gearbox equipped with overdrive on the top two ratios was an unusual feature of the original BN1, which was superseded by the short-lived, conventional four-speed BN2 for 1956. In 1953 the works had entered two mildly modified cars in the 1953 Le Mans 24-Hour Race, which finished in 12th and 14th places, a highly praiseworthy achievement for what were recognisably 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 carburettors plus a special inlet manifold and cold air box, high-lift camshaft, stronger valve springs and distributor with alternative ignition advance curve. With the kit installed power increased from the standard 90 to 100bhp.This conversion was available factory-fitted on the successor BN2 model in the form of the '100M'. We are advised that the BN1 offered here was fitted with one of the 'M' kits in the early 1960s. The car has also been fitted with an alternator and a larger-than-standard radiator. 'HBR 44' was acquired in the early 1960s by Ivor Jones from Durrington, who was told by a previous owner that it was not exported to Australia, contrary to what the accompanying BMIHT certificate states. An engineer by profession, Ivor Jones spent some three years rebuilding the engine and kept the Healey until 2006 when his friend, renowned marque specialist Gerald Stevenson, carried out a 'ground upwards' rebuild using original panels. The car subsequently passed to Colin Brangwin and thence to the current vendor. Eligible for the Le Mans Classic and many other prestigious historic motoring events, this fully restored Austin-Healey 100 is presented in generally excellent condition and comes with old-style logbook, sundry restoration invoices and Swansea V5C registration document.