Pick of the Day: 1956 Austin-Healey 100M

Of all the classic British sports cars, the Austin-Healey 100 series are about as classic as you can get. Sure Jaguar XK120/140/150 are all more popular and more expensive as well, but the Healey 100 cars are in my opinion more of a pure sports car that any of the Jags. They are lighter, somehow have a bit more interior room that a XK120, are also smaller, and handle better. They do not have the exquisite twin cam engine under their bonnet but the big, almost 4-liter, 4-cylinder engine has ample power and sounds almost as good as the engine in the XK Jaguar. If that were not enough, the Healey 100 was a strong competition car in its time, and it ran successfully at events including Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This all adds up to my idea of a truly great British sports car that is still pretty affordable. The Healey 100 got its name as it was able to go 100 mph. This was a big deal in the 1950s, and not only can it go that fast it is stable at that speed. In fact the competition cars were able to cruise at speeds much higher than 100 mph, which led to their success at racing events.

If all of the above were not enough reasons to like it, the Healey 100 is eligible for any vintage driving or racing event you can think of including Vintage Le Mans and Goodwood. Possibly the most affordable way into those events.

The Pick of the Day is one of these cars, a 1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 with an M specification Le Mans Kit located in St. Louis, Missouri. I mention it being a kit as it is in fact not one of the 640 factory built 100M cars but was converted later. This is not a big deal, and the upside is that this car is much less expensive than a factory built 100M and yet still offers all the upgrades of one. Those include a louvered hood with leather bonnet straps, a Le Mans engine kit-including a competition airbox that increases power to 110 bhp, a larger front anti-roll bar and revised shock absorbers.

The seller describes this Healey 100 as being finished in a gorgeous combination of dark blue with a cream interior piped in blue, it has a Moto-Lita steering wheel, chrome wire wheels, and Lucas Flame-Thrower headlamps fitted to complete the marvelously sporty package. They add that this example benefits from a well maintained and detailed restoration, with high quality paintwork, excellent chrome, and a lovely, inviting cockpit. They also state that this is an original left-drive USA-Spec car that was completed in February 1956 and when new was equipped with laminated windscreen, MPH speedometer, and heater. They believe that the Le Mans pack was dealer-installed, though it is not clear if this was before or after delivery to its first owner. Importantly this Healey 100 retains its original numbers-matching engine, per the BMIHT certificate. 

The photos of this car show the kind of Healey that anyone looking for one should buy. The body likes look correct, the paint, interior, and engine compartment look neat and clean, and overall it looks like a great example. The first rule of Healey ownership is to buy the very best car you can get, as restoring one will cost more than the car is worth. Always spend a little extra to get a nicely restored example that someone else paid for.

The asking price for this M specification 1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 is a very fair $89,500 and this is an example that I would happily purchase at the asking price.

If you have always wanted the classic British sports car experience it really doesn’t get much better than a Healey 100.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.