1953 Austin-Healey 100-4

Before WWII, the term “sports car” was an alien phrase in the USA. There was no such thing. Returning G.I.s changed that when they came home with MG TCs. This gave America its first taste of small, nimble, four-cylinder sports cars.

Enthusiasts on this side of the pond said, “Please sir can I have some more?”

And the UK delivered.

The Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1 made its debut at the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show.

It’s name came from a number of factors: Austin, from the Austin automobile company; Healey, from designer Donald Healey; 100, because it could break the 100 mph barrier; B, was the engine class between 2000-3000-cc; N, represented the body style, open top, two seats; 1, first in the series.

The inline four-cylinder engine capable of 94 hp was sourced from the Austin A90 along with its transmission, but first gear was blocked off as it was such a stump puller. It was made into a three-speed that was fitted with overdrive for second and third gears.

During its run, 10,688 BN1s were built. In 1955, the BN2 was introduced. It was very similar to its predecessor, but it sported large drum brakes and a new four-speed transmission with overdrive.

Then there was the 100S, only 55 were produced, it was built for the purpose of racing and rallying. Then there was the 100M a Le Mans variation, with more horsepower, bigger carburetors and a modified distributor.

After 1956, a six-cylinder motor was stuffed under the bonnet, so you had the 100-6 and later this begat the 3000. The 3000 became a more luxurious machine with roll up windows, wood trim and more ground clearance.

But to me, it’s the first design that is the purest and most true to the credo of a sports car.

Maybe it’s because the 100-4 is the first sports car I ever rode in. I was still inside my mother’s womb at the time, as she drove herself to the hospital to have me. Later, I got a little more seat time sitting next to her pre-child seat. So you could say I have a strong attachment. So anytime I can relive very, very vague memories I jump at the chance, especially as I get to do the driving now.

The BN1 I got to spend time with has some very respectful enhancements. The engine has a forged Moldex crankshaft, Venolia pistons, Carillo connecting rods, an aluminum head from the UK with larger valves, brand new S.U. Le Mans carburetors with manifold and cold air box, headers running to a stainless steel exhaust, plus an aluminum radiator for better cooling and it was treated to the later four-speed gearbox with overdrive and disc brakes on the front. The genesis of the big Healey with some improvements.

The 100-4 is a very elemental machine. A steel dash with the bare minimum of Smiths gauges—combined oil and water temperature gauge, a speedometer, tach, and petrol gauge, with the directional signal on the center of the steering wheel. A couple of knobs for lights and wipers make up the cluster.

I think the term “rorty” was conceived with the 100-4 in mind. The definition is “…adjective, informal-British, boisterous and high-spirited.” That is the perfect description of this Healey. It engages you with every sense. There is no distracted driving in a 100-4, you have to pay attention every single moment. The shifts are long throws between gears, but they engage nicely and you want to keep your revs up so you don’t bog down. But when you are at speed and gracefully slide it through a sweeping turn, your foolish grin just enlarges from when you pressed the starter button and brought the motor to life.

It’s small, it’s noisy, it bounces around on the road and it is far from practical. But it has four gears, three pedals, a fold down windscreen and a great British attitude…in other words it’s a sports car!

It’s a car from my past and one that I hope will be in my future.

Thanks to Bob Millstein and Briarcliff Classic and Imported for letting me relive my younger days…especially now that I can see over the wheel.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length	3848 mm / 151.5 in
Width	1537 mm / 60.5 in
Height	1244 mm / 49 in
Wheelbase	2286 mm / 90 in
Front track	1245 mm / 49 in
Rear track	1289 mm / 50.7 in
Ground clearance	140 mm / 5.5 in
Cylinders alignment	Inline 4
Displacement	2660 cm3 / 162.3 cui
Bore	97 mm / 3.82 in
Stroke	90 mm / 3.54 in
Compression ratio	7.5 : 1
Horsepower gross	90 hp @ 4000rpm
Torque gross	144 ft-lb@ 2000 rpm