1955 Austin Healey 100M BN1 'Le Mans'
Rare BN1 fitted with a 'Le Mans' kit from the factory

Registration No: URK 397
Chassis No: BN1223802
MOT: Exempt

• Understood to have been despatched directly to Donald Healey Garages in 1955 before receiving a full conversion to M-specification
• Believed to have been raced in the US and at the Nassau Speed week before being repatriated to the UK as early as 1958
• Retaining its original M-specification engine plus a BN2 four-speed gearbox with overdrive
• Mille Miglia eligible

Donald Healey's eponymous company built a prototype two-seater sports car for display at the 1952 London Motor Show. It was based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals and sported a notably sleek body designed by Gerry Coker and built by Tickford. It was dubbed the 'Healey Hundred' (a moniker chosen to reflect the car's ability to reach the magic 100mph), and, subject to a suitably encouraging response, Healey planned to build production versions in-house at his factory in Warwick. As things transpired, not only did the Ice Blue prototype more than impress the public, but it also excited Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, so much that he struck a deal to build the car in volume at Longbridge. The newcomer was renamed the Austin-Healey 100/4. The rest, as they say, is history.

The 100/4's chassis was a departure from the company's previous backbone designs and comprised a pair of three-inch square box-section side members running the length of the car, some 17 inches apart. These were braced by parallel and cruciform cross-members to which the steel floor pressings were attached. After the first 25 cars had been constructed at Healey's own premises in Warwick, the production of the mainstream bodyshells was turned over to Jensen. Once complete, the shells were transported to Longbridge, where the Healeys were assembled alongside the A90.

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 capitalise 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. A handful of BN1 100s were to be delivered from Longbridge directly to the Donald Healey Motor Co. to be fitted with the 'Le Mans Modification Kit' when new; but upon launch of the BN2 it was to be adopted by BMC themselves for the 100M version and subsequently introduced at the 1955 London Motor Show. The upgrade has remained a popular modification package ever since and continues to be reproduced today.

According to the accompanying Heritage Certificate, chassis BN1/223802 was built on 8^th February 1955 in right-hand drive configuration for the Australian market. It is said to have all the hallmarks of a car that was uprated to ‘Le Mans’ specification at Donald Healey’s Warwick factory rather than being modified (either in period or more modern times) by a dealer or private individual. The requisite ‘telltales’ apparently being: a bend in the shroud bracket to clear the cool air box, aluminium louvred bonnet (crafted by Jensen cars) and hand etched numbering to the uprated SU carburettors etc. Seemingly shipped to the Bahamas when new (rather than Sydney), the 100 is further understood to have participated in that year’s Nassau Speed Week. Sadly, there are no reliable records to confirm its participation. The Big Healey is understood to have had a damaged rear end and have been repainted British Racing Green over Yellow when it was found by Dr Pryor whilst holidaying in the Bahamas during 1957. The vendor believes there is a chance that BN1/223802 was diverted to Nassau at the behest of Sir Sydney and Lady Greta Oakes who were prominent members of the Caribbean racing scene at the time and friends with Donald Healey.

Repatriated by Dr Pryor in 1958 and issued with the Croydon registration number ‘URK 397’, he took the two-seater off the road following an accident in which his daughter was injured but retained possession until 1971. First owned by the vendor from 1980-1985 during which time he had it restored and repainted in its original Ice Blue over Old English White colours, the 100 later passed to Tony Elshof who previously served as the Austin-Healey Club’s Competitions Secretary and amassed a collection of significant examples of the marque. Changing hands several times thereafter, including a sojourn in France, ‘URK 397’ was reacquired by the seller during 2018. Entrusted to Rose’s Garage and Bushell’s Vehicle Restorations for servicing and maintenance since then, the Big Healey is deemed to be in ‘very good overall’ mechanical condition. Running and driving well during our recent photography session, the improved BN2 four-speed manual gearbox and gearlever-operated overdrive were both a boon. Although no longer concours, the two-seater remains presentable. Potentially eligible for such prestigious events as the Mille Miglia Storica, ‘URK 397’ is offered for sale with extensive history file, spare wheel, hood, tonneau cover and spare parts (the original, very rare distributor vacuum unit and the original cylinder head). It will also be accompanied by the V5C Registration Document.

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For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430