2,660cc OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Twin SU Carburetors
110bhp at 4,500rpm (see text)
3-Speed Manual Transmission with 28% Overdrive
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes (see text)

*Single owner for over 25 years
*Restored to 100M LeMans-spec
*Well known vehicle in Healey circles
*Driven—never trailered—to countless events around North America

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

If one were to look up "Trailer Queen" in a dictionary of automotive terms, this car would be listed under 'antonyms' of that definition. Built on the last day of August, 1954 and finished in Old English White over red leather, the 100 was delivered new to the United States.

Circa June 1994, the present Central Texas owner spotted a Healey Hundred that was listed in a classified advertisement in the Austin American Statesman. Offered by its caretaker of at least a decade, it was in a state of stillborn restoration, where disassembly had been mostly competed but precious little had been done beyond that. The purchase fulfilled a lifelong quest to possess the earliest model in the Big Healey lineup.

Professionally restored, the body shell and pieces were stripped bare, cleaned, rust repaired as necessary, and reassembled. Completed with an eye toward creating a machine for go and not just show, careful attention was given toward tractability, reliability, comfort, and, of course...speed. In order to reach that goal, this 100-4 was upgraded to better than 100M LeMans-specification, including a Motolita Derrington style wood steering wheel, louvred aluminum hood with leather strap, cold air box, Mondial racing pistons, SC Parts performance alloy cylinder head, stainless steel header & "big bore" exhaust, twin SU H6 1¾ inch carbs, 100M camshaft, and more. To ensure all that go-fast stuff is nicely watered and fed, there is a modern Facet solid state electric fuel pump and a Pertronix Flamethrower distributor with integral electronic ignition. The triple digit horsepower is funneled through the original 3-speed all-synchronized transmission with electrically operated Laycock de Normanville overdrive on second and third, resulting in five forward speeds.

Going fast is nice, but turning and stopping are just as important. Borrowing from the Austin-Healey 3000 parts bin, BJ8 power front disc and rear drum brakes are fitted. The AH3000 rear axle is held firmly in place by a Panhard rod and the front suspension is equipped with an uprated anti-sway bar to minimize body-roll. SC Parts leaf and coil springs dampened by Armstrong heavy duty lever shock absorbers combined with 15-inch Dayton 72-spoke chrome wire wheels and Michelin 195/65 radial tires complete the handling package.

In the over quarter of a century with the current owner, this 100 has been to Healey Conclaves all over North America, including Park City, Utah; Washington DC; Lake Tahoe, California; Grand Rapids, Minnesota; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Akron, Ohio; Burlington, Vermont; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Louisville, Kentucky; Charlevoix, Quebec, and elsewhere. Of note, the car was never trailered to any of the above events, but always driven. This rather photogenic Austin-Healey became a movie star when it appeared in the documentary film, "Inside the Octagon: Part 2".

In 2013 the Healey was subject to a $15,000 recommissioning by Jeff's Restorations—one of Texas's premier classic car restorers—which included a fresh repaint of its original color of Old English White and a new windscreen. In 2018 the tonneau cover was replaced and even more recently the heavy-duty lever-action shock absorbers were rebuilt by Apple Hydraulics. New leather seats were installed in January of this year. Resplendent in its original-type reproduction side curtains (with requisite storage bag) and a New-Old-Stock Amco top that fits brilliantly, this car has been to virtually every Texas Healey Roundup, regardless of the weather. It is little wonder that this Austin-Healey has been selected Best of Show on numerous occasions, and garnered a number of Gymkhana/Rally/Hill climb/Speed Run awards.

After a quarter of a century and over 60,000 delightful miles driving around the country, this 100-4 is finally ready to leave the Healey Marque Magazine former technical writer's garage and drive off to new adventures.