
Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 120
1954 Austin-Healey 100 Roadster to 100M Specification Chassis no. BN1L150648 Engine no. 1B227477M
Offered here is an original Netherlands-delivered Austin-Healey 100M BN1 in excellent condition, finished in the beautiful '100S' colour combination Ivory White over Lobelia Blue with white-piped blue leather interior and dark blue carpets. The dark blue soft-top, tonneau cover and side windows complete the picture.
Donald Healey was a man who realised better than anyone how important motor sport achievements are when marketing a sports car. He put that strategy into practice with the 100M and the 100S, which would come to be the two most desirable Austin-Healeys in the brand's history. Following the Austin-Healey 100's sensational debut at the 1952 Motor Show, the works had entered two mildly modified cars in the 1953 Le Mans 24-Hour Race, which finishing in 12th and 14th places, a highly praiseworthy achievement for what were recognisably production sports cars. Accordingly, the name 'Le Mans' was chosen for a bolt-on tuning kit offered through Austin-Healey dealers, by means of which private owners could bring their cars up to a specification approaching that of the works entries. The kit included a pair of 1¾" SU HD6 carburettors plus a special inlet manifold and cold air box, high-lift camshaft, stronger valve springs, and a distributor with an alternative ignition advance curve. With the kit installed, power increased from the standard 90 to 100bhp. The 100M is now one of the most sought-after classic Healeys.
The Austin-Healey we offer went back to the factory in 1956 to be fitted with the 'Le Mans Kit and a replacement 100M specification engine'. Donald Healey started by supplying only a performance upgrade, the Le Mans Engine Modification Kit; a customer could fit that themselves or have their dealer turn their 100 into a 100M. Later, the factory started building complete 100Ms itself.
This example features its original Le Mans headlights, Derrington wood-rim steering wheel, 100M badges, cold air box, Lucas dipping interior mirror and front disc brakes. The 2,660cc four-cylinder engine has been extensively overhauled and fitted with a Dennis Welch aluminium cylinder head and aluminium sump pan.
Delivered new via the dealer in Heerlen, the Netherlands. this car later went into a 'hibernation' of around 40 years, from which it emerged in 2001 to be restored. Accompanying paperwork also includes a Heritage Trust Certificate, 100M 'Le Mans' Registry Certificates, and a Dutch registration document.






























































































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