Austin-Healey 100 BN2

Austin-Healey 100 BN2

The Austin-Healey 100 was born from a chance encounter at the 1952 London Motor Show. Donald Healey had designed a streamlined sports car using the Austin A90 engine and running gear, displaying it on his stand as the 'Healey 100' (the name indicating its 100 mph capability). Leonard Lord, chairman of the Austin Motor Company, was so impressed that he struck a deal with Healey on the spot to produce the car as the Austin-Healey 100. It was a masterstroke: Healey got access to Austin's production facilities, and Austin got an instant sports car to boost their image. The 100 used the A90's 2.6-litre four-cylinder engine — a big, lazy unit with plenty of torque — in a simple but effective chassis with a beautiful body that was practical enough for touring yet exciting enough for club racing. The car proved immediately popular in America, where its combination of British charm, decent performance, and affordability made it a sports car star. The 100 evolved into the 100-Six (with a six-cylinder engine) and ultimately the iconic 3000, but the original four-cylinder 100, with its simpler mechanicals and lighter weight, has a purity and character all its own.