Registration No: PFO 347
Chassis No: BN6L937
MOT: August 2024

• Desirable two-seater example
• Current family ownership since 1992
• Recently subject to c.£5,000 of mechanical fettling
• Offered with a collection of invoices

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 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 100mph), and Healey planned to build production versions at his factory in Warwick. As things transpired, the prototype captivated the public and so excited Austin's Managing Director, Leonard Lord, that he agreed to build the car in volume at Longbridge. The newcomer was renamed the Austin-Healey 100. The rest is history. The production bodyshells were made by Jensen and then transported to Longbridge where the cars were assembled alongside the A90. The early cars (code named BN1 and BN2) were equipped with the same four-cylinder 90bhp 2660cc engine as the A90. The 100 had 11-inch drum brakes all round. The front suspension was independent by coil springs while the rear featured a traditional live axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. The steering was by cam and lever. The last of the 100 models, the BN4 (2+2 seater) and BN6 (2-seater) had a two-inch longer wheelbase and were powered by the six-cylinder 2639cc BMC C Series engine previously found in the Austin Westminster. Early versions gave 102bhp, but by 1957 output of the 100-Six had risen to 117bhp (thanks to the adoption of a new twelve-port cylinder head).

‘PFO’ has come from long-term ownership dating back to 1992. An Austin Healey 100/6, this desirable two-seater has a build date of 16^th May 1958. ‘PFO’ was originally destined for export to the USA in left-hand drive specification and finished in Ivory White with a Red interior and a Black soft-top hood. Further to the USA specification, there is a record of delivery with a laminated windscreen, heater, wire wheels and overdrive. ‘PFO’ was repatriated back to the UK from a car-friendly Texas climate in 1992; there is correspondence regarding the import from Texas on file.

An older restoration c.1995-1996, there is a quantity of old invoices and correspondence relating to the extensive restoration of the 100/6 by the Midland Austin Healey Centre. Correspondence refers to a new radiator, carburettors and linkages, a full set of seals and floor pans. There had been a full repaint and retrim back to the car’s original colour scheme and trim. Photos on file, show the car in Texas wearing red paintwork. Subsequently, post-restoration, the car lay little-used, for many years. In October of 2023, Moorland Classic Cars provided services to finally get the 100/6 back onto the road. At a cost of some £5,000, the mechanical work to recommission ‘PFO’ included a new 6v battery, a clutch master and slave cylinder, a brake and handbrake overhaul, aluminium petrol tank, wheel bearings and an overhaul of the front and rear suspension and the charging system. The engine bay and underside were steam cleaned to remove old Waxoyl and the wheels were cleaned and degreased. The engine was got to a running condition, with the oil pressure checked and the carburettor adjusted. The exhaust was cleaned and painted. The car then went through an MOT and successfully received the ‘ticket’ until 6^th August 2024.

The 100/6 is offered with a current MOT on file, a collection of old invoices, old MOT paperwork and some tax discs, a BMIHT Certificate and the aforementioned pieces of import correspondence and documentation.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760