LOT 373

1956 Austin-Healey 100M Roadster Registration no. UXG 881 Chassis no. BN2-L/232493 Engine no. 1B/214994M (not original)

Estimate: £80,000 - £100,000

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Lot 373

1956 Austin-Healey 100M Roadster

Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|17 September 2022, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1956 Austin-Healey 100M Roadster
Registration no. UXG 881
Chassis no. BN2-L/232493
Engine no. 1B/214994M (not original)

• Genuine factory-built 100M 'Le Mans' model
• Exported new to the USA
• Professionally restored by MPH in the early 2000s
• Converted from left- to right-hand drive
• Extensively upgraded

Footnotes

Its accompanying BMIHT Certificate shows that this Austin-Healey 100M was despatched on 16th June 1956 to the USA and confirms that it left the factory as a genuine 100M (or 'Le Mans') model. The car was located for the vendor at The Healey Werks of Lawton, Iowa. It was shipped back to the UK in 2002 and converted from left- to right-hand drive when restored by MPH Ltd of Blockley, the rebuild being completed in June 2004. MPH completely stripped the Healey and restored it from the chassis upwards. The original shade of Reno Red was found beneath the right-hand drive steering column aperture blanking plate, which ensured the colour was correct when repainted.

As the car was for road use and not intended for competition, it was fitted with Girling M16 disc brakes and a 3.9:1 rear axle ratio, the original 4.1:1 crown wheel and pinion being severely worn. Although the engine block is not original, the carburettors are correct for the 100M as are the other features including the anti-roll bar and louvred bonnet. The air box clearance notch alteration was as expected, but there was no kink in the diagonal bracing where the access was sometimes made for the fitting the 100M camshaft. After fitting new pistons and an aluminium cylinder head from Denis Welch (with the steel-faced head gasket), the compression ratio is 8.68:1 compared to the 8.1:1 as originally stated for the 100M and 7.5:1 for the standard 100.

The car has a 140mph speedometer, which was apparently sometimes fitted to the 100M. The vacuum advance has been removed and the mechanism fixed in the distributor to ensure correct engine timing over the engine speed range as advised by Jeremy Welch. We are advised the overdrive is working as originally intended and changes down on the throttle. The throttle pedal is built up to suit the owner. The headlamps have halogen bulbs, and fuel filters have been fitted between the fuel tank and the pump, plus another before the carburettors.

The car has been fitted out to suit the vendor and has all the attributes to make it easy to drive in modern traffic without overheating the engine or driver. We are advised that it does not drag its exhaust on the ground and keeps up with motorway traffic when required. In addition to those mentioned above, the car boasts the following notable features:

Up-rated springs to 3000 specification
Denis Welch DWR1 (100M) camshaft
Denis Welch 100M tubular side-exit exhaust system
Denis Welch carburettor heat shield and inlet extensions
Carburettors fitted with 'super dry' seals
Lightened flywheel and balanced crankshaft
Spin-on oil filter
Extensive heat insulation
Heavy-duty clutch linkage
Alternator instead of dynamo
Kenlowe thermostatic fan and large radiator
Alloy rocker cover and sump
Denis Welch split steering column
Horn and indicator switch on dash
Derrington wood-rim steering wheel
Mirrors fitted to extended windscreen pivot bolts
Rear leaf springs fitted with Polybushes
Lap and diagonal seat belts
60-spoke wire wheels shod with Michelin XAS tyres (two years old)

Records are available of all the work done in restoration and subsequently on the car, which has been regularly maintained, with any major work done by Denis Welch Motorsport or John Chatham Cars, both of whom are recognised Austin-Healey specialists. Most recently, the car was serviced at John Chatham Cars in September 2021. New 6V batteries were fitted in 2021. The car has always been garaged and in winter is stored in a Carcoon inside the garage. It is no longer submitted for annual MoT.

The car is described by the vendor as in excellent condition, but does show signs of use as one might expect. The vendor has had a great time both using and working on the car over the years, but recently poor health has made it impossible for him to drive the car regularly.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
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Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge what is known as a Buyer's Premium. Buyer's Premium on all Automobilia lots will adhere to Bonhams group policy:
27.5% on the first £20,000 of the hammer price;
26% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £20,000 up to and including £700,000;
20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £700,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £500,000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £500,000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
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Collection of Motor Cars will be postponed to Tuesday 20 September from 0900 until 1200, after which any uncollected Lots will be removed to store at Buyer / Vendor expense, as the case may be.
Automobilia Lots will be removed on the evening of Sunday 18 September.
It will not be possible to collect Motor Car Lots until Tuesday 20 September.
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Please Note the Automobilia department do not ship out purchased lots, please contact them to be advised of recommended shippers.
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MOTORCYCLES If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £125 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.CARSIf purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £250 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.
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UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£50 + VAT uplift and storage at £10 + VAT per lot per day
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SPECIALIST SHIPPING AND STORAGE
All lots marked with 3 diamonds will require specific shipping and storage arrangements, as they are either extremely heavy or large items, they will be removed by Autofreight Ltd, who provide independent uplift and storage services for larger lots. There are charges for this service and for storage in their warehouse in Guildford, Surrey, at the buyers expense.
Please contact John Wood, Autofreight Ltd, by phone 01483 222256, or email [email protected] for further information, details of costs and charges or to arrange collection from GU3 3HD.
Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s). All purchases are at Buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.
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