1956 Austin-Healey 100M Roadster

ing is everything and it??™s something that British motor industry veteran ald Healey knew quite a bit about. This was a man who had won the e Carlo Rally in 1931 driving an Invicta but failed to finish in 1935 after his Triumph mite straight-eight collided with a train.? Following World r II Healey began building high-quality sporting cars using existing engines and running gear from companies including Alvis and . These were moderately expensive cars that could be driven to work and rallied or raced on the weekends and he gained a loyal following of enthusiastic owners.The ambitious Healey wanted a car that could be built in larger numbers was suitable for export and would sell for less money than his prior cars. ing the four-cylinder 2.6-liter stin A-90 engine and transmission as well as other components from the parts bin of newly-formed BMC (a merger of the stin and Nuffield/ companies) Healey produced a lovely prototype styled by ry . The resulting ???Healey Hundred??? was shown at the 1952 rls Motor Show in the UK and caught the eye of visiting BMC boss ard Lord ??“ undoubtedly a carefully timed and executed encounter!Lord selected Healey??™s car over a new MG prototype thus delaying the replacement of the old-fashioned MG TD which was also in the BMC family. When it went on sale in 1 in the ited States and was clocked at more than 110 mph. Those first cars designated BN1 used the 90 bhp stin engine a three-speed transmission with overdrive and were happily received in the ited States which took most of the 10688 cars produced.The improved stin-Healey 100 BN2 followed in the summer of 1955. A few details visually differentiated the BN2 from its predecessor but the most important changes were a new four-speed transmission with overdrive a new rear axle from the BMC parts bin and brake drums with shoes offering greater braking surface. It is estimated that that 4600 BN2s were built before production ceased in 1956. Including the 50 high performance 100S competition versions there were 14 a high-performance Le s or M version of the BN2 was offered including a louvred hood with leather bonnet straps Le s engine kit??”including an airbox??”that increased power to 110 bhp heaver front anti-roll bar and revised shock absorbers. There were 640 factory-built M models built but an additional 500 or so kits were offered for dealer or owner installation ??“ often on existing BN1 models.At some point this stunning BN2 was converted to 110-hp Le s specifications including the airbox and louvered hood believed to be a dealer-installed kit. Finished in a gorgeous combination of dark blue with a cream interior piped in blue it sports a Moto- a steering wheel and chrome wire wheels while Flame-Thrower headlamps are fitted to complete the marvelously sporty package.This gorgeous example benefits from a well maintained and detailed restoration with high quality paintwork excellent chrome and a lovely inviting cockpit. An original left-drive USA-Spec car it was completed in February 1956 and equipped with laminated windscreen MPH speedometer and heater. It is believed the Le s pack was dealer-installed though it is not clear if this was before or after delivery to its first owner. The car retains its original numbers-matching engine per the BMIHT Certificate.To many collectors and enthusiasts the stin-Healey 100s are the purest of the big Healeys. They??™re sleek gorgeous and have that big torquey engine. And though a good example like this one is ideal for carving up deserted back roads it can also keep up with modern traffic. One drive in a well-sorted 100/4 like this car is enough to see why there is ever-increasing demand for these marvelous early stin-Healeys.? fers welcome and trades consideredFor additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7533-1956-austin-healey-100m-roadster/