1955 AUSTIN HEALEY 100M Le Mans
--Black with Red coves, Red leather interior, Black soft top, Black tonneau cover, numbers matching, 2.6 Liter 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed manual gearbox, Rotisserie concours restoration by noted expert John Wilson, Factory Le Mans rather than dealer installed 100M kit, BMIHT Certificate, 100M Le Mans Registry Certificate of Membership (12/2018), Austin Healey Registry concours “gold level” certification..
The Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1 roadster was introduced at the Earl’s Court – London Motor Show and was a huge success. As such, Healey also produced a race version, the ultra-rare 100S and offered similar “M LeMans” upgrades to cars sold for street use, either at the factory or through dealerships.
After building more than 10,000 BN1s in three years, Austin introduced a new Healey, known as the BN2, for 1955. This car featured a four-speed transmission and was offered both in standard trim and well as a new “hot” model, the 100M ‘Le Mans'. This model adopted larger carburetors, a high-lift cam, higher 8.1:1 compression, stiffer front suspension and a louvered hood secured by a leather strap. True factory-built 100M Le Mans Competition Roadsters accounted for only 640 cars, which are all tracked and documented by a dedicated registry and the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.
This car is indeed one of the 640 built from factory in Le Mans specification. The previous owner acquired this numbers matching 100M Le Mans from John Wilson, proprietor of Healey Lane Restoration of Oregon, in August 2016. Wilson, a long-standing and well- known member and restorer of the Austin Healey community had known of the car for some time. He acquired it from its then owner in Long Island, NY.
Upon acquisition from John Wilson, the previous collector owner immediately commissioned John to completely restore the car to original factory specifications and, most importantly, to meet the challenging “Gold” level certification standard of the Austin Healey Concours Registry. The Engine, gearbox, transmission, overdrive, and rear-end were rebuilt by famed Peter Nesbitt of Mount Sinai, N.Y.
The restoration began in earnest in late 2016 and was only recently completed in January 2019 by Robert Wilson John’s son and partner in Heasley Lane Restorations and due to his father’s untimely passing. Absolutely no stone was left unturned, given the goal of Austin Healey gold level concours certification.
Upon completion, Robert Wilson accompanied the 100M’s owner and the 100M was displayed 2018 Healey Rendezvous. During the Rendezvous, the 100M underwent a scrupulous assessment and was awarded its Gold level certification by the Austin Healey Concours Registry judges. Last December the 100M was also accepted into the prestigious Word-Wide 100M “Le Mans” Registry.
One of the finest 100M Le Mans available, this 100M has only undergone limited use to dial in from recent restoration. It is superb in every way with incredible provenance and ready for immediate road use or show. It is complete with its BMIHT Certificate, Gold level certificate from the Austin Healey Concours Registry, tool kit, knock-off hammer, original jack, owner’s manual, spare wheel and windows.
