1957 Austin Healey 100/6 BN4

• 1957 Austin Healey 100/6 BN4 Longbridge-built car dispatched originally to the US
• Subject of a recent no-expense-spared restoration to the highest standards; rebuilt onto a new chassis with all new inner body panels and new aluminium outer panels
• Fitted with a high-specification engine which includes a full race aluminium cylinder head, DWR2 camshaft, triple Webers, gear reduction starter motor and roller rocker assembly
• Specification includes a 4-pot brake caliper kit, six-branch stainless steel exhaust manifold, stainless steel side-exit exhaust, high-ratio Dennis Welch Motorsport steering box, limited-slip differential, aluminium radiator, Kenlowe cooling fan, and overdrive
• Finished in Colorado Red with black trim, black mohair hood and black mohair tonneau, with colour-coded 72-spoke wire wheels
• Only 70 kilometres covered since completion, a simply stunning example ready for fast road use or events

"After a really gruelling road test, I can say that this new sports model is ideal for Continental touring. It also stood up to lap after lap of the Nürburgring at racing speeds, without complaint, and that must be equivalent to a vast mileage under more humane conditions. Finally, it has the kind of appearance that will make many prospective purchasers reach for their cheque books." – John Bolster on the Austin-Healey 100/6, Autosport, 12th October 1956.

Introduced for 1956, the 100/6 represented the most radical step forward in the Big Healey's development. Despite its initial success, sales of the original Austin-Healey 100 had begun to decline by the mid-1950s and so the model was revamped as the '100/6', BMC's 2.6-litre C-series six replacing the original four-cylinder Austin Atlantic engine. At the same time the wheelbase was lengthened from 7' 6" to 7' 8", which enabled the inclusion of two occasional seats in the rear of the BN4 variant. In 100-6 tune the pushrod six produced 102bhp – 12 horsepower more than its predecessor. Although stylistically very similar to the preceding 100, the 100/6 was nevertheless easily distinguishable by its 'crinkle' radiator grille and bonnet-top air intake. In 1957 an improved six-port engine became available, and this 117bhp unit was fitted to all the newly introduced BN6 two-seater roadsters. Top speed improved to 111mph and 1.7 seconds was cut from the 0-60mph time.

The car presented here is a 1957 Austin Healey 100/6 BN4 Longbridge-built car (before production was transferred to the MG plant at Abingdon), being dispatched originally to the US in LHD configuration.

Owned by an avid marque enthusiast in Europe, the car is now in the UK (on a NOVA, with all taxes paid) and resides with Austin-Healey specialist ‘Murray Scott-Nelson’ of Yorkshire. Offered to the market with their assistance and knowledge of the car, this is an opportunity to acquire a car that has had all the work done and is now ready for some spirited driving.

This car has been the subject of a no-expense-spared restoration to the highest standards and the highlights include: built onto a new chassis of stronger metal with all new inner body panels and with all new aluminium outer panels, vented front wings and louvered bonnet; a high specification engine with a DW full race-spec aluminium cylinder head, DWR2 camshaft, DW roller-rocker assembly, triple Weber carburettors, DW inlet manifolds, gear reduction starter motor, crankshaft damper, competition endless timing chain, heavy-duty clutch, alternator, aluminium backplate, 123 electronic ignition, Kenlowe cooling fan, oil cooler, aluminium radiator (an exact copy of original), Facet fuel pump, aluminium fuel tank (an exact copy of original) and electric overdrive.

The spec also includes a six-branch stainless-steel exhaust manifold and stainless-steel side exhaust, 4-pot aluminium front brake calipers, Alfin aluminium rear brake drums, a Quaife LSD and high deflection prop shaft, heavy duty front and rear anti-roll kit and Panhard competition stabilizer stag, plus anti-tramp bar kit, DW uprated front stub-axle and top trunnion with roller bearings (making easier steering), together with a DW high-ratio steering box, both rev-counter and speedometer are electronic.

Quite a spec-sheet! Due to a change in circumstance, after this outlay and effort, the car is now for sale. It would make a fantastic companion for hill-climbs, tours, or fast-road driving. Not for the faint-hearted, this is a potent classic car, waiting for its next adventure.