Lot details
Registration No: 100 CRA
Chassis No: BN1152727R
Mot Expiry: June 2006

As part of his tireless publicity campaign to promote the newly introduced Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1, Donald Healey entered a team of four pre-production cars for the 1953 Le Mans 24-hour race. Running with standard windscreens, interiors and even bumpers, two of this mildly tweaked quartet survived to finish 12th and 14th overall (an amazing result for such comparatively inexpensive cars in near showroom condition). Eager to capitalize on this success (and also to comply with the event's homologation requirements) Healey persuaded BMC to list a 'Le Mans kit' (twin 1.75 inch SU carburettors, high-lift camshaft, revised distributor advance curve and stronger valve springs etc) in its parts catalogue for 1954. Known officially as part P-280, it was available to fit on new or old models alike and by dealers or private individuals. Adopted by BMC themselves (together with the addition of a louvred bonnet complete with leather strap) for the 100M version of the BN2 100/4 introduced at the 1955 London Motor Show, it has remained a popular modifications package ever since.
Finished in red over white with black leather upholstery, this particular Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 is thought to have been originally purchased by a Mr John Bemrose of Derby. Although not listed by the BMIHT as factory built, '100 CRA' is believed to have been modified to 100M specification in period or so a letter on file from renowned Jaguar specialist Nigel Dawes would imply when it mentions "a previous owner who states that the car was raced from new as a 100M". Dated 24th April 1987, this same source records that the 100/4 was in the possession of a Mr Roy Nanson by the late 1950s / early 1960s. Apparently crashed by him and left in a "bad state", it then passed to a Mr P. Ryan who "raced the car quite extensively" during his three-year ownership from 1965 to 1968. Run thereafter by a garage proprietor from St Anne's, it was bought by a Mr Draycon in 1970 who in turn sold it to Mr Dawes. At that time it sported a louvred bonnet complete with straps, quick-release 100S catches and a carburettor cold air scoop. Other modifications included a 'Monza'-style fuel filler cap, four-speed 'taxi' gearbox (with overdrive on every gear) and a special front anti-roll bar. A right-hand drive 'home market' car with an interesting history, it is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until 17th June 2006 and historic class (free) road tax until June 2006.