1956 Austin-Healey 100M LeMans 1,725 Miles White / Black Convertible Austin Stra

1956 Austin Healey 100M LeMans Description

Donald Healey introduced the limited run BN-2 based 100M in 1956 and manufactured 640 cars. This Austin Healey is one of very few original 100Ms remaining in the world. It is in the original color of white over black (117 produced) as confirmed by a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate. The car has been confirmed as a Factory built 100M by the Austin Healey 100M Registry through matching numbers (hood, trunk, cockpit trim, body, ignition lock, and engine), original carbs and intake manifolds, and correct Distributor/ vacuum advance. The M engine modifications were developed by Donald Healey to improve the performance of the 100 on tracks such as LeMans and pre-dated the rare 100S race cars (50 produced). Compared to the standard Austin Healey 100, the 100M had a higher compression engine, a more aggressive camshaft, a special distributor and vacuum advance, larger carbs with a cold air box, a louvered steel hood with LeMans regulation belt, and a front anti sway bar. The 100M also introduced the two tone paint design that was used on the later 6 cylinder Healeys. Donald Healey wanted his cars to be capable of going from showroom to track, and while the regular 100 performed well, having the M option made the car more competitive. The M engine components were also available as dealer or owner installed options. Retrofit cars are known as 100 LeMans rather than 100Ms. History Production of the car was completed on March 22, 1956 and it was sold in Florida in June. Prior owners reported that the car participated in club races. The car was sold and moved to Wisconsin after a number of years, where it was “updated” with a new color (red with a black hood and trunk), 100-6 turn signal (bullet) lens, reversed side flashes, and a new interior with a 100-6 dash. The car was sold again in 1973 and was used regularly until 1977, when the car was put up on blocks and stored in a garage. In 2001 the car was transported to Mesa, Arizona, where it remained in storage until late 2007. The car was sold to a collector and moved to Philadelphia in 2008 for a restoration by a Healey specialist. At the time, the car was a “roller” and did not run. A “frame off” restoration was started in 2009 that included a rebuilt engine, transmission and differential. Unfortunately, the owner of the car ran into financial difficulties and the restoration shop was forced to sell the car. The present owner acquired the car in the fall of 2010. A full detailed restoration was completed in 2012 using the Austin Healey Originality Guide for Restorations. The restoration corrected significant detail and safety issues and improved overall performance. In 2013 this car was entered into the Hillsborough Concours where it won the Class 1 - Imported Sports Cars through 1962. Restoration Details The body sides were repainted to use the correct curves between the black and white, engine rebuilt again with new valve, seals, rings, pistons, oil pump, bearings, new period correct cast aluminum valve cover, new period correct cast aluminum oil pan, conversion to cartridge oil filter, gear reduction starter, exhaust header, new wire harness, SS brake lines, new brakes, new Heritage interior (seats, lower dash panel, carpets, area behind the seats with the hatch, and trunk) restored the heater, rebuilt the gauges, new rear springs, new fuel pump, new aluminum gas tank, new Denis Welch steering rack, new correct 100M style steering wheel (rare), changed the grille to correct finish, new door jamb and sill aluminum panels, re-anodized the finish on the cockpit trim, new top and tonneau cover, adjusted doors to correct fit, and corrected the shape and rechromed the bumpers. The wheels and tires on the car are actually for a 3000. I have the proper painted wire wheels with narrower black wall tires. The hood belt (and spare tire belt) are replicas in the correct color and size from the 100M registry. It is a near 100pt car. The car now appears as it was originally sold; with period correct dealer installed factory 100M birch steering wheel and performance exhaust system, aluminum valve cover and oil pan. A canister oil filter, gear reduction starter and electronic ignition have also been installed for maintainability and drive ability. This 100M currently shows 1,723 miles since its gold level restoration and is 1956 club racing ready. Please contact us for further information, photos or a shipping quote. Work and New Parts Include: Cylinder Head work (new valves, springs, aluminum rocker spring spacers) New Pushrods New Cylinder head gasket New Rod bearings New 8.5:1 Pistons New oil pump New flex internal oil line New Thermostat / gasket New oil pressure flex line New intake / exhaust gasket New Carb mounting gaskets / spacers Heater valve cleaned and checked Helicoils installed on intake manifold for carb mounting Intake manifold cleaned and inspected Carbs cleaned, new needles installed and adjusted Correct Block coolant drain installed Oil filter conversion to spin on type 100M Header 100M Free flow Muffler 100M Free flow Exhaust Tach drive casting to block gasket reinstalled with leaks corrected Electrical ground positive to negative conversion Pertronix ignition installed in distributor Distributor shaft machined for O-Ring groove / O-Ring installed to stop oil seeping