Austin Healey

by Monika Holton July 1, 2021

Welcome to our ‘Vehicle of the Month’ 2021 blog post series which we are continuing since August last year to share some of the most fascinating and remarkable car and motorbike stories, restoration projects and travel adventures of our customers.

Last month we shared a story by Ian and his MG Midget Mark III called 'Midgie'! This July we're continuing with our twelfth 'Vehicle of the Month' story by James and his 1958 Austin Healey.

As you read into this post, you'll find that this particular Healey and his owner are very fond of car shows and club meetings. Enjoy!

"The Austin Healey 100/6 was launched in 1956 to replace the four-cylinder 100/4. It was the result of a joint venture between the Austin Motor Company and Donald Healey Cars, well known in the 1950s for their sporting pedigree. The 100/6 looked virtually identical to the outgoing model but had an air-scoop at the front of the bonnet to cool the more refined straight-six that nestled underneath. This shot is from the original sales brochure produced by British Motor Company (BMC)".

"The 100/6 could comfortably exceed 100mph, a big deal back then especially at a time when a Ford Popular would struggle to reach 70mph".

"At first only available as a 2+2 (BN4), a two-seat (BN6) was also available from 1958. Some 2-inches longer in the wheelbase than the original100/4, it also had a wider, shallower radiator grille and a fixed windscreen (the 100/4 having a fold-flat ‘screen)".

"This Austin Healey 100/6 2/4 seater model (BN4-O/51195) was first registered in January 1958".

"It was exported from the Longbridge plant in Birmingham, to South Africa in original component form known as ‘CKD’ (Complete Knock Down). Assembled as a right-hand drive in Blackheath, Cape Town".

"There were 355 “Big Healeys” manufactured in this way in South Africa, however this is one of only 175 Longbridge sourced examples. CKD Austin-Healeys were also sent to Mexico and Cuba".

"This is the Cape Town factory where this BN4 was assembled in South Africa from 'CKD' form".

"I have owned this since buying it at Historics car auction in May 2019. The previous owner had the car fully restored by Zerwick Automotive Engineers in Knysna, SA, before importing it to the UK, where some non-Healey parts were replaced by UK Healey specialists, Orchard Restorations".

"The restoration in SA involved all paint being removed including box sections and repainted with a rust preventative coating before top coats applied. The suspension and rear axle was removed, cleaned and rebuilt; the engine was refitted with new gaskets and seals with the cylinder head overhauled".

"Additionally, as part of the full restoration the interior was completely replaced throughout including boot liner and all chrome re-chromed. Wiring was repaired with the starter and generator overhauled".

"Pre-inspection shots from Historics auction in May 2019 before buying- with hard top".

"Beautifully restored six cylinder engine".

"This Healey’s engine is an example of an early series of 100/6 BN4 which were fitted with 1 C-H engine (H= Higher compression) 2639cc engine (fitted with Overdrive), producing 102 bhp at 4600rpm".

"The vertical position of the twin H4 SU carburettors on the “gallery head” make this early 100/6 engine distinguishable from the subsequent six port engine which had inclined dashpots".