Of all of the traditional British sports activities automobiles, the Austin-Healey 100 sequence are about as traditional as you will get. Certain Jaguar XK120/140/150 are all extra in style and dearer as nicely, however the Healey 100 automobiles are in my view extra of a pure sports activities automotive 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 below their bonnet however the massive, nearly 4-liter, 4-cylinder engine has ample energy and sounds nearly nearly as good because the engine within the XK Jaguar. If that weren’t sufficient, the Healey 100 was a powerful competitors automotive 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 thought of a really nice British sports activities automotive that’s nonetheless fairly reasonably priced. The Healey 100 bought its identify because it was in a position to go 100 mph. This was an enormous deal within the Nineteen Fifties, and never solely can it go that quick it’s steady at that velocity. The truth is the competitors automobiles have been in a position to cruise at speeds a lot larger 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 essentially the most reasonably priced manner into these occasions.

The Decide of the Day is one among these automobiles, a 1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 with an M specification Le Mans Package positioned in St. Louis, Missouri. I point out it being a package as it’s in truth not one of many 640 manufacturing facility constructed 100M automobiles however was transformed later. This isn’t an enormous deal, and the upside is that this automotive is far inexpensive than a manufacturing facility constructed 100M and but nonetheless affords all of the upgrades of 1. These embody 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 package deal. They add that this instance advantages from a nicely maintained and detailed restoration, with prime quality paintwork, glorious chrome, and a stunning, inviting cockpit. Additionally they state that that is an unique left-drive USA-Spec automotive that was accomplished in February 1956 and when new was geared up with laminated windscreen, MPH speedometer, and heater. They consider that the Le Mans pack was dealer-installed, although it isn’t 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 automotive present the type of Healey that anybody on the lookout for one can buy. The physique likes look right, the paint, inside, and engine compartment look neat and clear, and general it appears like an awesome instance. The primary rule of Healey possession is to purchase the easiest automotive you will get, as restoring one will value greater than the automotive is price. All the time spend a little bit further to get a properly restored instance that another person paid for.

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

If in case you have at all times wished the traditional British sports activities automotive expertise it actually doesn’t get a lot better than a Healey 100.

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