1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 Roadster

Registration no. YYJ 398 Chassis no. BN2-L/230924

Footnotes

A BN2 model, chassis number '230924' comes with a BMIHT certificate confirming that it was built in left-hand drive configuration and exported new to the USA. A laminated windscreen and a heater are listed under details of factory equipment, while the original colour scheme was Ivory White with black interior and matching hood. '230924' is on the American 100 M Le Mans Register as a later-converted car (rather than a factory-built 100 M).

In 1992 the Healey returned to the UK and has had four owners in this country, including the current vendor. All four are listed in the accompanying FIVA ID Card, which also states that this car raced at the Santa Barbara Road Races in 1959 and 1960, and at the Pamona Road Races in March 1960. It is probable that the car was converted from left- to right-hand drive shortly after its return to this country.

Boasting an all-aluminium body, '230924' has all the correct 100 M parts. These include the louvred bonnet, cold air box, and an anti-roll bar, the latter being a thicker-than-standard Denis Welch component. Rebuilt to full 100 M specification by Denis Welch Motorsport some 8,000 miles ago, the engine features a Denis Welch aluminium cylinder head and a spin-on oil filter conversion. The gearbox was rebuilt at the same time.

The current vendor has known and looked after this car for the last 20 years, and has been its owner since 2013. The front cross-member has been replaced and in 2008 the car was repainted to a very high standard, the finish still looking good today. Ziebart rust protection is visible in the engine bay and on structural parts. Believed re-trimmed in the 1990s, the interior is now nicely patinated. Accompanying documentation includes sundry bills, a V5C Registration Certificate, MoT to August 2020, and the aforementioned FIVA card and BMIHT certificate.

In 2016 this car came 2nd in the Austin-Healey Club National Concours, only losing out to the Earls Court Motor Show car. Classic & Sports Car featured the Healey in its August 2018 edition and were suitably impressed: "It starts instantly with no mechanical clatter and drives really well, the steering fluid and with no 'stiction'. Overdrive clicks in and out smartly, and the brakes are firm and straight. Oil pressure is 50psi when running and 40psi at tickover, with temperature at 160°F."