1957 Austin Healey 100/6 BN4
Highlights
- High quality specialist bodywork, trim and mechanical restoration
- Matching numbers car with factory 117bhp 1957-onwards specification
- Very good condition due to light, sparing use since completion
- Classically finished in Old English White with red leather interior
- Runs and drives very well with responsive engine and tight steering and gearbox
- Extensive history file with £7,000 recent recommissioning
The Appeal
A simple digit change discreetly introduced a raft of changes to the original 100/4 Austin Healey. Extending the wheelbase by 2in gave the new 100/6 the choice of a 2+2 layout to meet North American market demands while the C-Series engine added more power and smoother six cylinder propulsion.
From 1957 the 100/6 got even more power, hiked more than 10% to 117bhp. This pretty BN4 2+2 benefits from that upgrade. It was originally supplied to a vendor in San Francisco before returning to the UK in 2001 when a high end restoration began. Since returning it has remained with its single UK keeper.
This work was completed in 2005 and carefully replicated the factory Old English White over red leather specification. The restoration covered bare metal respray, mechanical rebuild, cabin retrim and conversion to RHD. Used sparingly for car shows and classic events, it comes to market in very good order. It is said to run and drive particularly well, indicating the extent and quality of that earlier renovation.
With good reason the beautiful and characterful 100/6 is one of the classic world’s most enduring sports cars. Here is an opportunity to acquire a very good, very well cared for car that has reluctantly been released by its long term keeper.
The History and Paperwork
- Built in December 1957 and originally supplied to first owner in San Francisco
- Matching numbers car in original colour scheme
- BMIHT certificate dated 8th August 2001 confirms Old English White over red leather scheme
- Factory BN4 2+2 car supplied originally in LHD
- Factory fitted with optional wire wheels, heater, overdrive and laminated screen
- V5C in current keeper’s name
- Thick history file showing extensive recent recommissioning work
- Supplied to its single UK keeper by a North Yorkshire marque specialist in 2001 for restoration
- First UK registered on 20th April 2005 following completion of restoration
- UK keeper works for a UK classic car parts supplier so is very familiar with these cars
- Only used for local shows and events
- Serviced 1,000 miles ago and engine said by vendor to now be run in
- Restored 15 years ago to very high standard which is evident from photographs
- Highlights of this work are detailed below
- Last MOT expired 10th April 2013 with no advisories showing
- Parts list booklet and Austin Healey owners handbook
- 2 keys
- Classic & Sportscar Centre valuation dated 11th January 2023
- £7,000 recommissioning between 2022 and 2023 with notable highlights below
2001 to 2005 restoration to high standard, highlights being:
- New sills and floors
- Body and chassis stripped and fully repainted in original OEW
- Mechanical overhaul including original engine stripped and rebuilt
- Converted to RHD from original LHD
- Retrimmed interior in red leather as factory
- Chassis cleaned and painted
- All chassis ancillaries replaced or refurbished
- Bodywork fittings professionally rechromed
- New chrome wire wheels and tyres
- Car has covered very few miles since work completed
£7,000 2022 and 2023 recommissioning including:
- Replacement coil
- Clutch system repairs
- Reconditioned dynamo
- New regulator
- Alternator belt
- Minor bodywork rectification repairs
- Fitting seatbelts
- Brake system overhauled
- New tyres fitted
- New battery
- New fuel pump
- New clutch plate
- Various other parts acquired as detailed in photographs
The Condition
- High quality Old English White paintwork in very good order
- 2+2 BN4 configuration with small rear seats
- Original restoration carried out over 15 years ago, showing some wear and tear
- There are some very minor signs of use across paintwork but not immediately visible
- Bodywork reflects restoration quality with very good panel fit and shut lines
- The boot lid is slightly misaligned and would benefit from light attention
- Factory correct colour scheme including black vinyl roof
- Roof in good order with clear screen, removable side screens and matching tonneau
- Chrome wire wheels tidy and fitted with quality Michelin tyres
- Supplied classically arranged without bumpers fitted but these are supplied with the car
- Red leather interior with white piping trimmed to a high standard during restoration
- Recently fitted with period-style seatbelts
- Door cards demonstrate level of attention with correctly stitched apertures
- Fitted with a later wooden steering wheel but original supplied with car
- Owner has original dash pot
- Slight lifting of vinyl around windscreen vents
- Original tool kit and jack with some spares
Action
The beautiful lines of the 100/6 continue to beguile despite their familiarity to classic enthusiasts. This is a sleek and handsome car that is virtually a schoolchild’s definition of a classic car shape.
It looks particularly good in the factory-correct Old English White of this car. The quality of the older restoration is obvious from the photographs, most evident in the paint finish and panel fit. The smart chrome wire wheels complete the sense of a carefully preserved car. Since 2022 the car has been extensively recommissioned at considerable cost, the work including rectifying minor bodywork defects and fitting period-style seatbelts.
Inside the story continues with smart red leather interior - again factory correct - that reflects the sparing use since the restoration was completed in 2005. The roof, tonneau and side screens are also in good order. The sense of originality continues with the availability of the original factory three-spoke wheel alongside the fitted wooden one.
The Mechanics
- 100/6 factory-fitted 2,639cc 6cyl C-Series engine
- Later 117bhp factory model available from 1957
- 4spd manual gearbox with optional factory overdrive
- Very tidy engine bay albeit with some brake fluid staining on the bulkhead from fluid
- One non-original SU carb diaphragm housing due to original dash pot damper having a stripped thread
- Light oil weep from sump gasket, which is not unusual for these cars
- Engine has been run in and serviced 1,000 miles ago
- Car is described by vendor as tight with strong engine and cruises well at high speeds
- Good oil pressure
- Smooth gearbox and overdrive
- Vendor reports that the car handles very well, with good brakes
- Well suited for regular use and classic touring
- New clutch and reconditioned overdrive during recent 2022 and 2023 recommissioning
- Drum brakes pull straight and are good for this type of system.
The 100/6 gave buyers a sports car with performance to match the svelte looks. This particularly applies to the 1957 onwards cars like this one that received a factory-fitted power increase to 117bhp.
This car is a matching numbers example with 4spd gearbox and desirable optional overdrive. The engine was stripped and rebuilt during the restoration work completed in 2005 and has covered very few miles since. The overdrive unit was refurbished more recently and the clutch system also overhauled. £7,000 has been spent recommissioning this car since 2022, the majority of it directed at the mechanicals. The tidy engine bay reflects this attention, with only a coupe of minor points to note as outlined above.
The vendor reports that the car runs and drives very well with good oil pressure, tight steering and gearbox and smooth engine. We are told it will cruise well at high speeds, its optional overdrive making it ideal for classic car touring and events.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1957
- Make Austin Healey
- Model 100-6
- Colour White
- Odometer 70,456 Miles
- Engine size 2639
Listing Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Ripon
- Location Yorkshire
- Country United Kingdom
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