1955→1956 Austin Healey 100 BN2

After producing the original Austin Healey 100 for nearly 2 years, the upgraded BN2-series cars added a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive and numerous detail differences to the package.

Availble for the first time was an optional two-tone package which paired White-Black, Reno Red-Black. Healey Blue-White, Black-Reno Red and Florida Green-White.

Upgrades available to the BN2 included an M kit with larger carburettors, a cold-air intake, high-lift camshaft and 8.1:1 compression cylinder head. These parts were availble as a Le Mans package which could be ordered and installed on any Healey 100.
Total production of the BN2 reached 4604 cars from August 1955 to July 1956. These were replaced by the 3000 cars which were fitted with the six-cylinder engine.¹

Total production of the BN2 reached 4604 cars from August 1955 to July 1956. These were replaced by the 3000 cars which were fitted with the six-cylinder engine.¹

Sources & Further Reading

1, Anderson, Gary & Roger Moment. Austin-Healey 100/100-6/3000 Restoration Guide. MBI: 2000.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Series Production Car
production years	1955 – 1956
built at	Longbridge, Birmingham, England
production	4604
engine	A90 Inline-4
position	Front, Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
block material	Cast Iron
valvetrain	Pushrod OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	Twin SU Carburetors
displacement	2660 cc / 162.32 in³
bore	87.3 mm / 3.44 in
stroke	111.1 mm / 4.37 in
compression	7.5:1
power	67.1 kw / 90 bhp @ 4000 rpm
specific output	33.83 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	91.09 bhp per tonne
torque	203.4 nm / 150 ft lbs @ 2000 rpm
body / frame	Aluminum & Steel Body over Steel Frame
driven wheels	RWD
wheel type	Steel Wire Spoke
front tires	5.90-15
rear tires	5.90-15
front brakes	Girling Hydraulic Drums
rear brakes	Girling Hydraulic Drums
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers
r suspension	Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers
curb weight	988 kg / 2176 lbs
wheelbase	2290 mm / 90.2 in
front track	1240 mm / 48.8 in
rear track	1290 mm / 50.8 in
length	3850 mm / 151.6 in
width	1540 mm / 60.6 in
height	910 mm / 35.8 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual with Overdrive
tran clutch	Single-Plate Borg & Beck
final drive	4.125:1
0 – 60 mph	~10.5 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~17.5 seconds
fuel capacity	54.6 litres or 14.41 gal.

Auction Sales History

1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2L 230518 – sold for $66,000 Matching numbers example.Professionally restored throughout. Desirable BN2 model in Le Mans trim. Wonderful example of Britain’s quintessential Roadster. Offered with Heritage Trust Certificate and restoration receipts.
Auction Source: 2014 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams

1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN2 Le Mans – sold for $96,800 Desirable BN2 Le Mans Model. Certified Matching-Numbers Car. In the Care of Two Owners for 55 Years. Frame-Up Restoration Completed in January 2014. Accompanied by Tool Kit and Heritage Trust Certificate.
Auction Source: The Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company

1957 Austin-Healey 100-4 BN2L230866 –

V-8 conversion done by Shelby engineer in 1967 at Ford Racing Division in Detroit. Believed to be the only known Gurney-Weslake Healey ever built. Paxton supercharged Ford V-8 with 400 HP. Gurney-Weslake heads, 4-barrel intake. Custom headers and side exhaust. NOS Paxton supercharger obtained from Paxton in the 1990s. Ford AOD 3-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Narrowed 8 inch Ford Positraction rear end. Discovered in 1994 in a warehouse and underwent a 2,000 hour restoration. 100M-style grille and NOS 140 MPH Smiths.
Auction Source: Kissimmee 2014, #WhereTheCarsAre by Mecum

1956 Austin-Healey 100M ‘Dealer-Prepared’ BN2-L/231533 – sold for $96,250 Fresh restoration by Tom and Randee Rocke of Healey Lane. Numbers-matching, dealer-prepared, Le Mans-spec car. Ideal for show or driving.
Auction Source: 2013 St. John’s Auction

1956 Austin-Healey BN2 100/4 Coupe – sold for $50,000 One of one. One owner since new. 37,609 original miles. This unique steel body was built to owners specs by California Metalworks, the same company that built Shelby’s Coupe’s bodywork, soon after purchase. This unique car has been featured on the cover of the Healey Magazine and also in 1966 Road and Track Magazine.
Auction Source: The Daytime Auction in Monterey by Mecum

1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN2 Le Mans BN2L 231762 – sold for $119,900 One of the Great Sports Car Designs of the 1950s.Equipped with Desirable Le Mans Modification Kit and Period Accessories. Successful Show Participant. Offered with Books, Tools and BMI Heritage Trust Certificate. Certified with the 100 M Le Mans Registry. Ideal Candidate for Vintage Rallies and Driving Events.
Auction Source: 2012 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

1954 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 Roadster 152971 –

Aluminum front and rear shrouds, re-chromed original front and rear bumpers, 48-spoke chrome wire wheels with new Roadspeed 185×15 tires and a spare tire, new Moto-Lita-type steering wheel and a drop-down racing windscreen round out the impressive and usable package. Offered complete with a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate and full photo-documentation, this example is simply superb and is offered by Healey Lane with a limited driveline warranty.

Auction Source: Amelia Island 2012 by RM Auctions

1956 Austin-Healey 100 Le Mans BN2-L/228075 – sold for $114,400 One of the Great Sports Car Designs of the 1950s. Matching-Numbers BN2 Model. Restored by Renowned Marque Expert Fourintune. Equipped with Desirable Le Mans Modification Kit and Period Accessories. Successful Show and California Mille Participant. Offered with Books, Tools, Restoration Records and BMI Heritage Trust Certificate. Ideal Candidate for Vintage Rallies and Driving Events.
Auction Source: 2012 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Company

1955 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN2 Roaster BN2-L/228210 –

According to its British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, the wonderful 1955 Austin-Healey 100/4 offered here was completed on 29th August, 1955 as an original LHD model for North American export. Original factory-fitted equipment included a heater, a laminated windscreen and wire-spoke wheels. The car was restored in Holland and then acquired by the current owner, a dedicated Swiss collector. The car remains in excellent overall condition, having seen limited use in its current ownership.

Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions

1956 Austin-Healey 100 Le Mans BN2L/233290 –

According to the accompanying British Heritage documents, this lovely car is an original left drive example and finished in its original colors of Reno red with black seats and red piping, the Healey was also complete with the laminated wind screen and heater.