Austin Healey 100 Cars And The History Of It Part 3

Picture Of Austin Healay 100 Cars

The BN2 came 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, Primrose Yellow, Black, and approximately 50 Gunmetal Grey cars. The BN2 two-tone colors were: White/Black; Reno Red/Black; Healey Blue/White; Black/Reno Red; and Florida Green/White. A 1956 BN2 100M (for Le Mans) 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 high compression pistons producing 110 bhp (82 kW) at 4500 rpm. The front suspension was stiffened and the bonnet gained louvres, along with a bonnet belt and most (approximately 70%) of them were finished with a two-tone paint scheme including two cars finished in unique color 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 1956 model BN2s. The 100M components (except for the high compression pistons) were also available as a Le Mans kit which could be installed in either a BN1 or BN2 with the engine in situ, improving the power output to 100 bhp (75 kW) at 4500 rpm. The Donald Healey Motor Company at Warwick retrofitted 519 cars with the Le Mans kit after they had been delivered to the original owners. The Le Mans kit and its component parts could be ordered from BMC, so additional cars were modified by Austin dealers and private owners.

Picture Of 1957 Austin Healay 100 Cars

Built primarily with racing in mind, the aluminium-bodied "100S" (for Sebring) model developed 132 bhp (98 kW) at 4700 rpm. Only 50 production cars were produced, 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 (91 kg) lighter than standard. The majority of all 100S were two-toned White with Lobelia Blue sides. However, a handful of cars where ordered in Spruce Green, Reno Red and one single black 100S.

Picture Of 1958 Austin Healay 100 Cars

The final BN2 was produced in July 1956.

Austin Healey Cars And The History Of It Part 1
Austin Healey Cars And The History Of It Part 2
Austin Healey Cars And The History Of It The End Part