Lot 122: 1955 Austin Healey BN 2

The Healey 100, launched to a surprised public at the 1952 London Motor Show, caused a sensation and met universal approval. It looked superb with performance to match; producing 94bhp at 4,000rpm, it could achieve lll mph and 0-60mph in 10.3 seconds, while road holding was of a high order. The new car also caught the attention of BMC supremo Leonard Lord who at once struck an agreement with Healey to market the car as the Austin Healey 100. Production, with bodies made by Jensen, began in May 1953 and soon the model was selling like hot cakes and featuring strongly in competition. The 100's competition debut was in the 1953 Mille Miglia when it retired but June that year saw similar lightweight, aluminium-bodied 100s, with just 104bhp, take 12th and 14th overall in the Le Mans 24 Hours against far more powerful opposition. More power, however, was needed and in the 1954 Sebring 12 Hours a 132bhp 100 took a sensational 3rd overall and class win over much more specialised machinery. Later that year the 132bhp 100S was announced with aluminium body, smaller grille, a perspex windscreen and racing-type filler for a 20 gallon tank. Only 50 of the desirable 100S cars were built but subsequent demand for a faster road-going model led to the launch of the 110bhp 100M (type BN2) in 1955. Distinguished by a louvred bonnet with transverse leather retaining strap and two-tone paintwork, the 100M was capable of 118mph and 0-60mph in 10 seconds while uprated suspension improved handling. This superb example of the highly sought after 100M underwent a comprehensive restoration in Holland in 2004, a full photographic record of which comes with the car. It has covered only minimal mileage since, and having had, most unusually, just one owner from new, it is offered in first class condition with German registration papers. Dieser hervorragende Austin Healey des gesuchten Types 100 M wurde im Jahre 2004 von einem hollaendischen Spezialisten umfassend restauriert, was fotografisch dokumentiert wurde. Seit diesen Arbeiten wurde das Fahrzeug nur sehr spaerlich von seinem immer noch ersten (!) Besitzer bewegt.