Lot details Registration No: RZ 9697 Chassis No: BN4-S-29458 Mot Expiry: June 2012
The prototype 'Big' Healey was the hit of the 1952 London Motorshow. It was based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals and sported a sleek body designed by Gerry Coker and built by Tickford. As things transpired, it was not only the public who were impressed, and the two-seater 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 and the rest is history. The production bodyshells were made by Jensen and transported to Longbridge where the cars were assembled alongside the A90. The early ones (BN1 and BN2) were powered by that model's four-cylinder 90bhp 2660cc engine. The Healey had 11-inch drum brakes all round. Its front suspension was independent by coil springs, while the rear featured a traditional live axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs, and 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 2639 cc 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 more like 117bhp.
This very smartly presented 100-Six is a home market BN4 that was manufactured in November 1956. Originally finished in Reno Red, it was supplied new to a Mr W Simpson of Knutsford Cheshire, courtesy of the local Lookers dealership. Apparently it lay dormant from circa 1979 until 2004, at which point it was treated to a well-earned 'body off' restoration by Resco Auto Restorations of Bangor, working in conjunction with the then owner; since when it has covered just 2,216 miles. The vendor acquired the car in 2009 and describes the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, engine and gearbox as all being in "very good" order. 'RZ 9697' is MOT'd until June 20th.
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