1954 FIA Austin-Healey 100/4 (BN1) to 'M' spec

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.

OWD 726, the delightful 1954 BN1 100/4 on offer here was shipped from Longbridge to the Donald Healey Motor Company in Warwick on 29th March 1954. It was registered by Healey Cars Limited on the 30th April 1954 (Certified copy of Warwick-Registration in the history file) and we assume that in the intervening few weeks, whilst at the Cape, it was fitted with the factory's popular 'Le Mans' tuning kit as mentioned above.

Fully restored in the past and now classically presented in BRG over a gently patinated black leather interior, this lovely BN1 is being offered for sale as our private vendor’s plans have changed. It's accompanied by a full history file which contains its BMIHT History Certificate, photographs of the bare metal restoration, receipts for thousands of pounds worth of work carried out over the years, a set of current FIA papers, and an FIVA passport meaning that it is potentially eligible for many of the major historic motorsport events around the world. It has recently been set-up by engine tuning specialist Andrew Grabowski, and details of this work are available upon request.

The Healey looks exactly as you might hope with silver wires, a Moto-Lita wood-rim wheel, a single leather strap over the louvred bonnet, 100M badges and a full set of weather protection, hood and side screens and, with its 4-speed overdrive gearbox, we understand that it drives and performs very well. It was most recently in action at a Blyton Park track-day where noted VSCC racer and multiple class record holder, David Pryke, took it out for several laps and proclaimed it 'exceptional'.

As a genuine BN1 with the factory-fitted 'Le Mans modification kit', FIA papers and an FIVA Passport, this eminently usable 100/4 would be welcome anywhere.