Description
The Austin-Healey 100/ 6 (BN4) went into production in August 1956 and was a replacement for the Austin-Healey 100/ 4 (BN1 & 2). It was followed by a BN6 variant in March 1958 which was a 2-seat roadster. The Austin-Healey 3000 (BN7) was introduced in 1959 and together the three models became known as the 'Big Healey's'.
The 100/ 6 BN4 featured a 2" longer wheelbase than the 100/ 4, a more powerful 2639cc straight-six engine and included a pair of small occasional seats in the rear. It had a smaller but wider radiator grille, an air scoop on the bonnet and the windscreen was now fixed. The cars used a tuned version of the BMC C-Series engine previously fitted to the Austin Westminster, initially producing 102 bhp (76 kW) and increased in 1957 to 117 bhp (87 kW) by fitting a revised manifold and cylinder head. The previously standard Overdrive unit was made optional. In December 1957 production was transferred from Longbridge to the MG plant in Abingdon and 14, 436 100/ 6's were produced before production ended in 1959 when it was replaced with the Austin Healey 3000 MK1 (BN7).
A 117 bhp (87 kW) BN6 was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959 and it recorded a top speed of 103. 9 mph and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 10. 7 seconds. Overall fuel consumption of 20. 8 miles per gallon was recorded. The test car cost £1, 307 including taxes of £436.
According to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, this original RHD Austin Healey 100/ 6 (BN4) Four Seater - Chassis No: BN4-0/ 38340 and Engine No: 1C/ H38340 was built in Longbridge, Birmingham on 10th April 1957 and was finished in Ivory White over Black with a Black vinyl interior piped in White, Black carpets, a Black Vinyl Soft Top and Side Screens, stove enamelled Wire Wheels, Overdrive, Laminated Windscreen and less Heater (although it has now had a Heater fitted) and it was delivered to BMC Distributor The Bromley Motor Works in Kent. It was then sold by BMC dealer Johnson and Brown in Bromley to its first owners - Goodhale Engineers Ltd in London, SE23 and first registered on 17th May 1957 with the number plate 6 AKM.
History:
The car remained in Goodhale Engineers ownership until February 1976 when it was bought by a Mr N Mallinson from Tadcaster in Yorkshire. He only drove the car for a couple of years before storing it in a garage where it remained untouched for 10 years before being purchased by the third owner a Mr Charles Pettingell from Collingham in Yorkshire on 5th October 1988 and there are hand written notes in the file regarding this. Mr Pettingell subsequently embarked on a total restoration of the car in 1989 which included many new body panels and associated parts - all supplied by Austin Healey Spares. We do not know why, but it seems that a replacement Engine - No: 29DRU202 was obtained and rebuilt along with its gearbox by the Northern TR Centre in Cleveland in February 1989. There is a large photo album of this restoration along with a huge number of invoices for all parts replaced and for works carried out in the history file.
Mr Pettingell, who was an Austin Healey Owners Club member enjoyed the car for the next 10 years before selling it to a Mr David Fox from Otley in Yorkshire on 2nd August 1999. He did however retain the original number plate 6 AKM and it was issued with its current plate MFO 196 by the DVLA in December 1995. Mr Fox kept the car for 8 years and there are lots of invoices in the file for servicing and a few repairs during his ownership and also a correct an original 2639cc Engine - 1C-H/ 42842 from 1957 was installed including a Denis Welch Motorsport Fast Road Aluminium Cylinder Head. He sold the car to an Italian - Mr Giacomo Spallasso in September 2007 and it was subsequently registered in Cabella Ligure, Italy on 21st September 2007 and was also registered with the Automotoclub Storico Italiano in 2007 with a Certificate in the file.
Mr Spallasso carried out lots of additional restoration works on the car including a complete rebuilt of the engine with a new set of SU Carburettors and a full repaint of the car - now in Colorado Red over Black - and there are lots of invoices for parts and photographs in the file. After 6 years of ownership, It was sold to a Monaco resident - Mr Franco Dapino on 15th October 2013 and he registered the car in Monaco. He barely used the car during his ownership and it spent most of its time in his garage in Monaco or in storage at a friends garage near Milan. Because it is was a Right Hand Drive car and still registered with the DVLA, he thought it would be much easier to sell the car in the UK, so he came to visit us earlier last year to ask if we would be interested in buying the car from him which we did, and we shipped it back to England and re-registered the car in our name with its number plate MFO 196.
During our re-commissioning and preparation of the car last summer, we unfortunately discovered that the head gasket had blown and the oil pressure was reading very low, so although it had a complete engine rebuild in Italy with only 3, 000 miles driven since then, it was obvious that something was wrong with the engine and an investigation by specialist Crown Classic Cars in St Margarets confirmed the worst. After removing the Dennis Welch aluminium cylinder head it was clear that the gasket was not fitted correctly and the engine had been assembled incorrectly with the pistons fitted the wrong way around in the cylinders!
They have now just finished a total rebuild of the engine, fitted a new Clutch and clutch hydraulics, given the car a full brake overhaul and fitted many new ancillaries as can be seen on their invoice and list of parts shown in the documents below. The total cost to us for the rebuild and associated works came to £13, 640. 05 with £6, 664. 21 spent on parts alone! The engine is now really smooth, but it will need to be run in for 500 miles and have the cylinder head re-torqued down before it can be driven in haste, but we will organise for this to be carried out with the new owner.
This really is a lovely example which looks and drives beautifully. It unfortunately owes us a lot more than we were expecting, but whoever does buy the car can be assured that they will not have to worry about the mechanics of the car!
Upon sale, the car will come with a new MOT and our own standard 6 months Mechanical Breakdown Parts & Labour Warranty.
This car is of course Road Tax Free, MOT exempt, ULEZ compliant and it is also eligible for the Mille Miglia!
Car on display at our showrooms in Mortlake, SW London.
NB: Classic Chrome Ltd make every effort to ensure that the information in this advertisement is accurate and all statements as to provenance and condition are given as opinions only. When describing any car that is more than 20 years old, we sometimes have to rely on the car’s history file and any information provided by the previous owner(s). This information in passed on in good faith and is therefore not purported to be a statement of fact. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves as to the condition and fitness for use of the vehicle. This does not affect your statutory rights.
