Of all of the traditional British sports activities automobiles, the Austin-Healey 100 sequence are about as traditional as you may get. Positive Jaguar XK120/140/150 are all extra well-liked and dearer as nicely, however the Healey 100 automobiles are in my view extra of a pure sports activities automobile that any of the Jags. They’re lighter, in some way have a bit extra inside room {that a} XK120, are additionally smaller, and deal with higher. They don’t have the beautiful twin cam engine beneath their bonnet however the massive, virtually 4-liter, 4-cylinder engine has ample energy and sounds virtually nearly as good because the engine within the XK Jaguar. If that weren’t sufficient, the Healey 100 was a robust competitors automobile in its time, and it ran efficiently at occasions together with Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This all provides as much as my concept of a very nice British sports activities automobile that’s nonetheless fairly inexpensive. The Healey 100 bought its title because it was in a position to go 100 mph. This was a giant deal within the Fifties, and never solely can it go that quick it’s steady at that velocity. In actual fact the competitors automobiles have been in a position to cruise at speeds a lot increased than 100 mph, which led to their success at racing occasions.

If all the above weren’t sufficient causes to love it, the Healey 100 is eligible for any classic driving or racing occasion you’ll be able to consider together with Classic Le Mans and Goodwood. Presumably probably the most inexpensive method into these occasions.

The Choose of the Day is one among these automobiles, a 1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 with an M specification Le Mans Equipment situated in St. Louis, Missouri. I point out it being a package as it’s in actual fact not one of many 640 manufacturing facility constructed 100M automobiles however was transformed later. This isn’t a giant deal, and the upside is that this automobile is way cheaper than a manufacturing facility constructed 100M and but nonetheless affords all of the upgrades of 1. These embrace a louvered hood with leather-based bonnet straps, a Le Mans engine kit-including a contest airbox that will increase energy to 110 bhp, a bigger entrance anti-roll bar and revised shock absorbers.

The vendor describes this Healey 100 as being completed in a stunning mixture of darkish blue with a cream inside piped in blue, it has a Moto-Lita steering wheel, chrome wire wheels, and Lucas Flame-Thrower headlamps fitted to finish the marvelously sporty bundle. They add that this instance advantages from a nicely maintained and detailed restoration, with top quality paintwork, glorious chrome, and a beautiful, inviting cockpit. Additionally they state that that is an unique left-drive USA-Spec automobile that was accomplished in February 1956 and when new was outfitted with laminated windscreen, MPH speedometer, and heater. They imagine that the Le Mans pack was dealer-installed, although it’s not clear if this was earlier than or after supply to its first proprietor. Importantly this Healey 100 retains its unique numbers-matching engine, per the BMIHT certificates. 

The images of this automobile present the type of Healey that anybody in search of one can purchase. The physique likes look right, the paint, inside, and engine compartment look neat and clear, and general it appears to be like like an incredible instance. The primary rule of Healey possession is to purchase the perfect automobile you may get, as restoring one will value greater than the automobile is price. All the time spend somewhat additional to get a properly restored instance that another person paid for.

The asking value for this M specification 1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 is a very reasonable $89,500 and that is an instance that I’d fortunately buy on the asking value.

When you’ve got all the time needed the traditional British sports activities automobile expertise it actually doesn’t get a lot better than a Healey 100.

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Choose of the Day.