A evaluation of The Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Sports Auto, covering growth, essential functions, and specialized data of this the 1st product in the range.
In this Write-up, I provide a nostalgic glimpse at the Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1, just one of an elite team of classic autos, which was produced all through the interval 1953 to 1955.
The Nash-Healey was a two seater sports vehicle marketed specially in the US during the time period 1951 to 1954.
It was, in point, the initial put up WW2 convertible to be produced in the US, and was a joint enterprise in between Nash-Kelvinator Corp, who supplied the drivetrain, and Donald Healey’s enterprise, who were liable for the chassis and entire body.
In 1951, subsequent on from his involvement with the Nash-Healey, Donald Healey realised there was a sector chance for a rapidly, functional, and cheap sports automobile that was a lot more up market than the prevailing MG’s, but much less highly-priced than a Jaguar.
He been given arrangement from the Austin Motor Corporation to use the motor, transmission, suspension and drivetrain from their Austin A90 Atlantic saloon automobile, which was getting developed at that time.
He then approached Gerry Coker, who made the entire body for the Nash-Healey, to structure a sporting activities vehicle that would be a significant seller in America.
He named his new automobile “The Healey 100” considering that he was confident it would exceed the magic 100 mph.
The motor vehicle built its initial appearance at the Earl’s Court docket Motor Demonstrate in 1952, and was an quick good results.
Prior to the present, the head of the Austin Motor Company was so impressed with the vehicle that he made available to mass create it less than the brand title of “Austin-Healey”.
Originally, the cars and trucks were being designed at his Warwick factory, and used a person essential layout for the chassis.
Following the agreement with Austin, he would be accountable for the structure of the vehicles, even though Austin’s Longbridge factory would construct and sector them as Austin-Healeys.
Both of those the system and chassis have been developed by Thompsons of Wolverhampton on a generation line at Jensen Motors of West Bromwich.
A overall on nineteen pre-manufacturing BN1’s had been developed at the Warwick factory, and all had been remaining hand drive styles.
The initial of these were being destined for motor shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Frankfurt, and a US profits advertising tour.
Subsequently, a notable motoring journal lauded the motor vehicle as “The best dealing with auto this calendar year”.
Specification integrated the next:
- 2660 cc, overhead valve, 4-cylinder, in line engine
- Compression ratio of only 7.5:1
- Two SU carburettors
- Aluminium and steel system around a steel frame
- Girling eleven inch drum brakes all spherical
- Three speed gearbox with overdrive on second and 3rd
- Unbiased entrance suspension employing coil springs with a rigid axle and semi elliptic leaf springs at the rear
- Steering by a cam and lever method
The first output automobiles obtained badges making use of the identify Austin-Healey 100.
Nonetheless, this would modify, and they would quickly be designated the product name “BN1”, which was the initially of a collection of inside firm codes:
- B – denotes an Austin engine between 2-3 litres
- N – denoted a two seater
- BY – denotes a 4 seater
- BJ – denotes an unique convertible prime fairly than a removable best
- 1 to 8 – Each product experienced a suffix denoting the specific edition of the automobile
The initial motor of the BN1 developed 90 bhp, but Donald Healey modified a version of this engine to develop 130 bhp.
He designate this car or truck the 100S, in which “S” referred to Sebring.
In simple fact, an Austin-Healey 100S, pushed by Stirling Moss, arrived in sixth posture in the 1955 Sebring twelve hour race, beating a D-Form Jaguar, and two Ferraris and Masseratis.
The current market was so impressed with the functionality of the 100S that Austin-Healey introduced the 100M model, the place “M” referred to Le Mans.
This variant was equipped with more substantial carburettors, larger compression ratio and pistons, and modified camshaft.
In 1953, a BN1 received the award of Global Motor Car or truck Of The 12 months in New York, and a standard creation car averaged 104 mph on the Utah Salt Flats.
Also that 12 months, Donald Healey attained just about 193 mph when driving a 224 bhp, supercharged version of an Austin-Healey 100.
By the time creation finished in 1953, 10,030 BN1’s were created, of which considerably less than 10% had been designed with ideal hand drive.
This marked the conclusion of the Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1
Perhaps this stroll down memory lane could possibly have answered, or at minimum drop light-weight on, a probable query:
Which Austin-Healey Sports activities Car or truck is Your Favourite?
Nevertheless, really should this problem however remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some element, in foreseeable future articles in just this web-site, the complete assortment of Austin-Healey sports activities autos which were being featured in the unforgettable period spanning 1953 to 1972.
I hope you be a part of me in my nostalgic travels “down sports activities car or truck memory lane”.