1955 Austin Healy BN1 100/4 Roadster

The prototype Healey 100 made a sensational debut at the 1952 London Motor Show, generating an unprecedented level of interest and millions of dollars in orders. With his company unable to cope with full scale production, Geoffrey Healey entered into a deal with Leonard Lord of Austin to jointly produce and market the new sports car. In fact, the 100 had been designed around Austin running gear in the first place, using the Atlantic engine and gearbox along with axles, suspension and brakes from the BMC parts bin. Clothed in very smart, modern 2-seater bodywork the Austin-Healey 100/4 proved a sales success and was a more than worthy competitor for the MGs and Triumph TRs (not to mention the more powerful Jaguar XKs and Corvettes), particularly in America where the vast majority ended up. The sturdy 2.6-litre pushrod engine developed 90bhp at 4,000rpm and had plenty of torque available to deliver a top speed of 110mph and the standing quarter mile in 17.5 seconds. Braking was by hydraulic drums front and rear. The original BN1 body style remained in production from 1953 until 1955 and the earliest 100/4s are recognised for having a purity of line and undiluted sports car driving experience lost on the later six-cylinder models.