Austin Healey 100 In Detail : BN1,BN2,100M and 100S,1953-56

This is the story of the four-cylinder Austin-Healey sports cars of the early 1950s. Some 15,000 cars were made in this series. The story began at the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show, where a neat two-seater prototype was displayed on Donald Healey's stand.

When Donald Healey displayed a new sports two-seater on his firms stand at the 1952 motor show he could not possibly have envisioned the extraordinary success that it was to enjoy. There are many who would say that the looks of the early 100 were never matched by the later six-cylinder Healeys. Perhaps it is true that the first of the line is the purest expression of its designers intentions. Includes a detailed technical analysis of the 100, covering all aspects of the chassis, running gear, engine and transmission.

This sets the scene for subsequent chapters on the BN2, the 100M and the 100S, each of which receives comprehensive treatment. The author also provides information on the cars participation in racing competition, draws comparisons with rival models and gives advice on the practicalities of owning a 100 today.

This book opens with an exposition of the background to Donald Healeys creation of the 100 and with an account of his career to that time. This is followed by a description of the successive stages of design and development and of the eventual manufacturing agreement with Austin.

Seven outstanding examples of the four-cylinder 100 - including an unrestored Le Mans car - have been specially photographed for this book and are featured in 90 color images. There are also more than 140 black-and-white illustrations drawn from archives and from sales and publicity material.