Austin-Healey 100
Encyclopedia
The Austin-Healey 100 is a sports car
built from 1953 until 1959. There were two models, the original four-cylinder Austin-Healey 100, built 1953-1956, and the six-cylinder Austin-Healey 100-6, built 1956-1959.
It was developed by Donald Healey
to be produced in-house by Healey's small car company
in Warwick and based on Austin A90 Atlantic
mechanicals. Healey built a single Healey Hundred for the 1952 London Motor Show, and the design impressed Leonard Lord, Managing Director of Austin
so much that a deal was struck with Healey to build it in quantity at Austin's Longbridge factory. The car was renamed the Austin-Healey 100.
Despite the names, the Austin-Healey 100-6 has more in common with the subsequent Austin-Healey 3000
than with the original Austin-Healey 100, both mechanically and in appearance. The "100" name comes from Donald Healey
, who selected the name from the car's ability to reach 100 mi/h, as opposed to the Austin-Healey 3000, which is named for its 3000 cc engine. Both six-cylinder cars used the BMC C-Series engine
, but the 3000 used the 2.9L version, as opposed to the 2.6L of the 100-6.
plant alongside the A90 and based on fully trimmed and painted body/chassis units produced by Jensen
in West Bromwich
— in an arrangement the two companies previously had explored with the Austin A40 Sports
. The first 100s (series "BN1") were equipped with the same 90 bhp engines
and manual transmission
as the stock A90, but the transmission was modified to be a three-speed unit with overdrive on second and top. The 2660 cc I4
engine featured an undersquare 87.3 mm (3.4 in) bore and 111.1 mm (4.4 in) stroke.
Girling 11 in (279.4 mm) drum brakes are fitted all round. Front suspension is independent using coil springs and at the rear is a rigid axle with semi elliptic leaf springs. The steering is by a cam and lever system.
A BN1 tested by The Motor magazine in 1953 had a top speed of 106 mph (170.6 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 11.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.5 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £1063 including taxes.
These were built from May 1953, and replaced by the BN2 model in mid-1955.
The BN2 was fitted with a real 4-speed manual transmission
, still with overdrive on the top 2 gears. Other features that distinguish the BN2 from the BN1 are the slightly larger front wheel arches, different rear axle and being the first 100 with optional two-tone paint. The colour alternatives available to the 100 were: Reno Red, Spruce Green, Healey Blue, Florida Green, Old English White, Black, and approximately 50 Gunmetal Grey cars. The BN2 two-tone colours were: White/Black; Reno Red/Black; Healey Blue/White; Black/Reno Red; and Florida Green/White.
In 1955, a 100M model was developed as well, with larger carburettors, a cold air box to increase air flow to the carburettors, high-lift camshaft and 8.1:1 compression pistons. It produced 110 bhp at 4500 rpm. The front suspension was stiffened and the bonnet gained louvres, along with a bonnet belt. Most (approximately 70%) of the cars were finished with a two-tone paint scheme including two cars finished in unique colour schemes: one White over Red and the other (for display at the 1955 London Motor Show
) in Black over Pink. There were 640 factory built 100Ms — all BN2 series cars. The 100M components (except for the high compression pistons) were also available as the Le Mans Engine Modification Kit which could be installed in either a BN1 or BN2 with the engine in situ, improving the power output to approximately 100 bhp at 4500 rpm. The Le Mans kit and its component parts could be ordered from BMC
, so cars were modified by Austin dealers and private owners.
Built primarily with racing in mind, the aluminium-bodied "100S" (for Sebring) model developed 132 bhp at 4700 rpm. Only 50 production cars were made, plus an additional five works development/special test cars which were hand built by the Donald Healey Motor Company
at Warwick. The cast iron cylinder head was replaced by one made from aluminium and the overdrive unit was not fitted to the gearbox. Dunlop disc brakes were fitted front and rear. To keep weight to a minimum, there were no bumpers or hood (convertible top), a smaller grille and the windscreen was plastic. The 100S was also the first production car in the world to sport disc brakes at both the front and rear. The car was approximately 200 lb (90.7 kg) lighter than standard. The majority of all 100S were two-toned White with Lobelia Blue sides. However, a handful of cars where produced in other colors including Spruce Green, red and one single black 100S.
The final BN2 was produced in July 1956.
100-Six cars.
To make room for the occasional seats the wheelbase was increased by 2 in (50.8 mm). The bonnet had a built-in air scoop and the windscreen no longer could be folded down.
The cars used a tuned version of the BMC C-Series engine
previously fitted to Austin Westminster
which at first produced 102 bhp increasing to 117 bhp in 1957 by fitting a revised manifold and cylinder head. The overdrive unit became an option rather than a standard fitting.
In late 1957 production was transferred from Longbridge to the MG plant at Abingdon.
A 117 bhp BN6 was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959 had a top speed of 103.9 mph (167.2 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 10.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.8 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £1307 including taxes of £436.
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
built from 1953 until 1959. There were two models, the original four-cylinder Austin-Healey 100, built 1953-1956, and the six-cylinder Austin-Healey 100-6, built 1956-1959.
It was developed by Donald Healey
Donald Healey
Donald Mitchell Healey CBE was a noted English rally driver, automobile engineer, and speed record holder.- Early life :...
to be produced in-house by Healey's small car company
Donald Healey Motor Company
-History:It was formed in 1945 by Donald Healey, a renowned auto engineer and successful racing driver. It was formed after Healey discussed sports car design with Achille Sampietro, a chassis specialist for high performance cars and Ben Bowden, a body engineer, when all three worked at Humber...
in Warwick and based on Austin A90 Atlantic
Austin Atlantic
The Austin A90 Atlantic was a British car produced by the Austin Motor Company, launched initially as a sporting four seat convertible. It made its début at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show in London, with production models built between spring 1949 and late 1950...
mechanicals. Healey built a single Healey Hundred for the 1952 London Motor Show, and the design impressed Leonard Lord, Managing Director of Austin
Austin Motor Company
The Austin Motor Company was a British manufacturer of automobiles. The company was founded in 1905 and merged in 1952 into the British Motor Corporation Ltd. The marque Austin was used until 1987...
so much that a deal was struck with Healey to build it in quantity at Austin's Longbridge factory. The car was renamed the Austin-Healey 100.
Despite the names, the Austin-Healey 100-6 has more in common with the subsequent Austin-Healey 3000
Austin-Healey 3000
The Austin-Healey 3000 is a British sports car built from 1959 to 1967, and is the best known of the "big" Healey models. The car's bodywork was made by Jensen Motors, and the vehicles were assembled at the BMC Abingdon works....
than with the original Austin-Healey 100, both mechanically and in appearance. The "100" name comes from Donald Healey
Donald Healey
Donald Mitchell Healey CBE was a noted English rally driver, automobile engineer, and speed record holder.- Early life :...
, who selected the name from the car's ability to reach 100 mi/h, as opposed to the Austin-Healey 3000, which is named for its 3000 cc engine. Both six-cylinder cars used the BMC C-Series engine
BMC C-Series engine
The BMC C-Series was a straight-6 automobile engine produced from 1956 to 1971. Unlike the Austin designed A and B-series engines, it came from the Morris engines drawing office in Coventry...
, but the 3000 used the 2.9L version, as opposed to the 2.6L of the 100-6.
100 (BN1 and BN2)
Production Austin-Healey 100s were finished at Austin's LongbridgeLongbridge
Longbridge is an area of Birmingham, England. For local government purposes it is a ward within the district of Northfield.Since 1905, the area has been dominated by the Longbridge plant, which produced Austin, Nash Metropolitan, Morris, British Leyland, and most recently MG Rover cars...
plant alongside the A90 and based on fully trimmed and painted body/chassis units produced by Jensen
Jensen Motors
Jensen Motors Ltd was a British manufacturer of sports cars and commercial vehicles, based in the Lyng – West Bromwich...
in West Bromwich
West Bromwich
West Bromwich is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands, England. It is north west of Birmingham lying on the A41 London-to-Birkenhead road. West Bromwich is part of the Black Country...
— in an arrangement the two companies previously had explored with the Austin A40 Sports
Austin A40 Sports
See Austin A40 for other A40 models.The Austin A40 Sports debuted at the 1949 London Motor Show as a four-passenger, aluminium-bodied convertible version of the Austin A40 — carrying an Austin of England nameplate, bearing the marque's Flying A hood ornament, and designed and manufactured in...
. The first 100s (series "BN1") were equipped with the same 90 bhp engines
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
and manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
as the stock A90, but the transmission was modified to be a three-speed unit with overdrive on second and top. The 2660 cc I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engine featured an undersquare 87.3 mm (3.4 in) bore and 111.1 mm (4.4 in) stroke.
Girling 11 in (279.4 mm) drum brakes are fitted all round. Front suspension is independent using coil springs and at the rear is a rigid axle with semi elliptic leaf springs. The steering is by a cam and lever system.
A BN1 tested by The Motor magazine in 1953 had a top speed of 106 mph (170.6 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 11.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of 22.5 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £1063 including taxes.
These were built from May 1953, and replaced by the BN2 model in mid-1955.
The BN2 was fitted with a real 4-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
, still with overdrive on the top 2 gears. Other features that distinguish the BN2 from the BN1 are the slightly larger front wheel arches, different rear axle and being the first 100 with optional two-tone paint. The colour alternatives available to the 100 were: Reno Red, Spruce Green, Healey Blue, Florida Green, Old English White, Black, and approximately 50 Gunmetal Grey cars. The BN2 two-tone colours were: White/Black; Reno Red/Black; Healey Blue/White; Black/Reno Red; and Florida Green/White.
In 1955, a 100M model was developed as well, with larger carburettors, a cold air box to increase air flow to the carburettors, high-lift camshaft and 8.1:1 compression pistons. It produced 110 bhp at 4500 rpm. The front suspension was stiffened and the bonnet gained louvres, along with a bonnet belt. Most (approximately 70%) of the cars were finished with a two-tone paint scheme including two cars finished in unique colour schemes: one White over Red and the other (for display at the 1955 London Motor Show
British International Motor Show
The British International Motor Show is an automobile show held biennially in the United Kingdom. It is recognised as an international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles. The 2008 was the last event with no news of a return of the British International Motor Show...
) in Black over Pink. There were 640 factory built 100Ms — all BN2 series cars. The 100M components (except for the high compression pistons) were also available as the Le Mans Engine Modification Kit which could be installed in either a BN1 or BN2 with the engine in situ, improving the power output to approximately 100 bhp at 4500 rpm. The Le Mans kit and its component parts could be ordered from BMC
British Motor Corporation
The British Motor Corporation, or commonly known as BMC was a vehicle manufacturer from United Kingdom, formed by the merger of the Austin Motor Company and the Nuffield Organisation in 1952...
, so cars were modified by Austin dealers and private owners.
Built primarily with racing in mind, the aluminium-bodied "100S" (for Sebring) model developed 132 bhp at 4700 rpm. Only 50 production cars were made, plus an additional five works development/special test cars which were hand built by the Donald Healey Motor Company
Donald Healey Motor Company
-History:It was formed in 1945 by Donald Healey, a renowned auto engineer and successful racing driver. It was formed after Healey discussed sports car design with Achille Sampietro, a chassis specialist for high performance cars and Ben Bowden, a body engineer, when all three worked at Humber...
at Warwick. The cast iron cylinder head was replaced by one made from aluminium and the overdrive unit was not fitted to the gearbox. Dunlop disc brakes were fitted front and rear. To keep weight to a minimum, there were no bumpers or hood (convertible top), a smaller grille and the windscreen was plastic. The 100S was also the first production car in the world to sport disc brakes at both the front and rear. The car was approximately 200 lb (90.7 kg) lighter than standard. The majority of all 100S were two-toned White with Lobelia Blue sides. However, a handful of cars where produced in other colors including Spruce Green, red and one single black 100S.
The final BN2 was produced in July 1956.
100-Six (BN4 and BN6)
The final "100" models, 1956's "BN4" (2+2 seats) and 1958's "BN6" (2 seats) were six-cylinderStraight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
100-Six cars.
To make room for the occasional seats the wheelbase was increased by 2 in (50.8 mm). The bonnet had a built-in air scoop and the windscreen no longer could be folded down.
The cars used a tuned version of the BMC C-Series engine
BMC C-Series engine
The BMC C-Series was a straight-6 automobile engine produced from 1956 to 1971. Unlike the Austin designed A and B-series engines, it came from the Morris engines drawing office in Coventry...
previously fitted to Austin Westminster
Austin Westminster
The Westminster series were large saloon and estate cars sold by the British Austin Motor Company from 1954, replacing the A70 Hereford. The Westminster line was produced as the A90, A95, A99, A105, and A110 until 1968 when the new Austin 3-Litre took its place...
which at first produced 102 bhp increasing to 117 bhp in 1957 by fitting a revised manifold and cylinder head. The overdrive unit became an option rather than a standard fitting.
In late 1957 production was transferred from Longbridge to the MG plant at Abingdon.
A 117 bhp BN6 was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959 had a top speed of 103.9 mph (167.2 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 10.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.8 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £1307 including taxes of £436.
External links
- Austin Memories—History of Austin and Longbridge
- Volunteer register with records and photos of the 100