Austin-Healey 100M

Key facts

Year

1956
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

2,660cc
Cylinders

4 cylinder
Valves

Overhead valve
Output

110bhp at 4,500rpm
Performance

118mph
Price new

£855
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

The Austin Motor Company Limited, Birmingham

The Austin-Healey 100 was Austin’s answer to Triumph’s TR2 and became a big success on the American market. Launched in 1955, the 100M was a higher performance version of the standard model, incorporating features from cars that had raced at Le Mans in 1953. This car was delivered new to the Earl of Wharncliffe who competed with it in hill climbs and other speed events.

Austin-Healey originated in 1952 when Donald Healey secured a deal with the British Motor Corporation to use the engine from the Austin Atlantic in a new Healey-designed sports car. The four-cylinder 100/4 was developed into the six-cylinder 100/6 in 1956 and the 3000 in 1959. The Big Healeys were successful in motor sport and took numerous class speed records. Importantly for BMC, they sold well on the North American market.