1956 Austin Healey 100M BN2 Factory-built

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 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 a distributor with alternative ignition advance curve. With the kit installed, power increased from the standard 90 to 100bhp.

From October of 1955, the conversion was available, factory-fitted on the succeeding BN2 model in the form of the 100M. In addition to the Le Mans kit, the latter boasted high-compression pistons, a stiffer front anti-roll bar, special Armstrong front dampers, and a louvered bonnet. Power increased to 110bhp and top speed, with the windscreen folded flat, was within a whisker of 120mph. The number of BN1s converted by their owners is unknown, but 1,159 cars—mostly BN2s—were built or subsequently modified to 100M specification between 1955 and 1956. Of these, approximately 640 were completed at the factory, some 544 of which were exported to the USA.

Resplendent in its original colour scheme of Florida Green over Ivory with a black interior and hood, this extremely rare matching numbers 'Factory' 100/4 BN2 ‘100M’ was built on 3rd March 1956, as confirmed by the BMIHT Heritage Certificate, before being despatched to a US serviceman in Yokohama, Japan, eventually returning to the United States of America with him at the end of his tour of duty. It appears to have spent some time as an exhibit in a restaurant before being unearthed as a genuine ‘Factory 100M’ and restored by Tom Kovacs at Fourintune, renowned Austin Healey specialist based in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

Changing hands a couple of times post-rebuild, the BN2 was eventually imported to the UK in 2011 and was correctly UK-registered at that time. With International tours and rallies in mind, its new custodian decided that a mechanical refresh and upgrade was required and entrusted the work to Healey 'guru', Dennis Welch. The work included a full engine rebuild incorporating a steel crankshaft and rods, a full gearbox rebuild, complete suspension, brake and final drive refurbishment, high-ratio steering, an alloy fuel tank and to complete the extensive refurbishment, new wheels and tyres. With expenditure totalling some £50,000, this genuine ‘factory’ BN2 100M, one of just 640 produced, must now be one of the very best available.

Complete with FIVA and MSA paperwork, this outstanding Healey is eligible for a variety of prestige events within the world of historic motorsport and would be welcome anywhere.