1957 Healey 100/6

Estimated Price: £30,000 - £38,000

Introduced for 1956, the Austin-Healey 100/6 represented the most significant step forward yet in the development of the ‘Big Healey’, replacing the four-cylinder 100 with BMC’s new 2.6-litre C-Series straight-six. The wheelbase was also lengthened by two inches, allowing the BN4 variant to accommodate two occasional rear seats, whilst the new six-cylinder engine produced 102bhp. Although retaining the familiar styling of its predecessor, the 100/6 was readily distinguished by its distinctive ‘crinkle’ radiator grille and bonnet air intake.

Offered here is an early home-market BN4-S, confirmed by its accompanying Heritage Certificate as having been dispatched in February 1957, finished in Ivory White with a red leather interior.

The 1957 Austin-Healey 100/6S (often referred to as the S-prefix or "S" model) is one of the rarest variants of the "Big Healey" line, with only 50 units believed to have been produced. These vehicles were modified directly by the Donald Healey Motor Company at their Warwick works specifically to secure international competition 'homologation'. When Donald Healey developed the earlier, pure-race aluminium-bodied Austin-Healey 100S (for Sebring) in 1955, Dunlop required a minimum order of 100 sets of their revolutionary four-wheel disc brake systems. However, only 50 of the production 100S cars were ultimately hand-built.

With 50 unused sets of high-performance Dunlop disc brakes left over at the Warwick factory, Donald Healey decided to fit them to a limited batch of the newly introduced six-cylinder 100/6 (BN4) models. This upgrade allowed the company to obtain the crucial FIA homologation papers needed for the 100/6 works rally cars—such as the exact prototype configuration that Tommy Wisdom drove to a class victory in the 1957 Mille Miglia.

The 'S' cars incorporated several specific features, including disc brakes (Dunlop "round pad" all-wheel disc brakes as used on the Jaguar C-Type, D-Type, and MGA Twin Cam), revised cylinder head and separate intake manifold configuration boosting output from the sluggish 102bhp to 115–117bhp, the later BN4 hood mechanism, conical rear indicators, passenger-side door lock and distinctive Longbridge bonnet crease, together with its S-prefix chassis number.

The 100/6S was never an officially catalogued model by BMC. Instead, they were completed at the Warwick works, uprated, and sold primarily through Donald Healey’s personal dealership network to preferred clients at a premium price. Out of the 50 conversions, it is understood that 15 were Right-Hand Drive home-market cars (3 of which were retained as official Healey Team Works cars) and 35 were Left-Hand Drive.

This example is understood to retain most of the 100/6S distinguishing features, however, the original disc brakes have, at some point, been replaced. Its early ownership history is particularly appealing, its first owner being a retired doctor who retained RZ 7314 until it was offered for sale by Agnew & Graham Ltd. of Oxford Street, Belfast. On 2nd July 1960, it was purchased for £600 by Mr McCormick of Crawfordsburn Service Station, County Down, with the original Bill of Sale pleasingly retained within the history file.

Mr McCormick was a well-known Northern Ireland motorsport enthusiast and had competed in the Circuit of Ireland Rally during the early 1950s, although there is no suggestion that he did so in this particular Healey. The car itself remained in the McCormick family for an impressive 63 years, covering just 54,000 miles from new and, remarkably, retaining an exceptional degree of originality throughout that period. Other than a repaint in its original Old English White in 1996, the car has remained largely untouched, preserving the character and appearance of an early Big Healey rather than becoming overly restored or modified.

Purchased by our vendor at the 2023 NEC Iconic Motor Show sale, it is now readily usable, running and driving well and remains eligible for a number of prestigious historic events, including the Mille Miglia.

In summary, this is a particularly interesting early 100/6 BN4S, combining rare S-specification features with a fascinating ownership history, remarkably low mileage and an impressive degree of originality. With its long family ownership, original documentation and event eligibility, it would make a rewarding addition to any collection of significant British sports cars.

 

 

with this example retaining the other identifying details associated with the specification, including the later BN4 hood mechanism, conical rear indicators, passenger-side door lock and distinctive Longbridge bonnet crease, together with its S-prefixed chassis number.