2014-07-28 08:46:48 | pauls writes:

Car was at 2014 Arizona by RM Auctions, did not sell.
www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm

Auction description:
Arizona 16 - 17 January 2014
Lot 35
1956 Austin-Healey 100M 'Factory' Le Mans BN2 Roadster
To be auctioned on Thursday, January 16, 2014
High Bid of $160,000

Chassis no. BN2-L/230818
Engine no. 1B/230818
Body no. 12340

This 1956 100M is one of 640 made by the factory, and it was purchased by the current owner in the summer of 2011. A complete restoration commenced after the purchase, which included taking the car completely apart, including the body, frame, engine, transmission, brakes, and steering. Everything was then rebuilt, including a new fuel tank, with new parts where the old ones were not deemed 100 percent correct and in top condition. During inspection, the car was found to have all the criteria necessary to authenticate a factory 100M: all four cockpit surrounds are correctly stamped, as are the boot lid and bonnet, with the latter being the original louvered one. There are correct, marked carburetors and an induction manifold, and the engine compartment has been modified to make room for them. Additionally, this 100M retains its original and correctly stamped distributor. The engine was completely rebuilt with some performance upgrades, such as a lighter flywheel. The original four-speed overdrive gearbox was rebuilt, too.

The seats were very good, with a little bit of patina, which the owner preferred to new leather, and they have been retained. The car is painted in correct Healey Blue over white, with a dark blue interior. New high-quality paint was applied, and new carpets have been installed throughout, including a new boot lining. Extra driving lights were also fitted. A new, smaller wood steering wheel was installed to facilitate entry and exit, but the original steering wheel also accompanies the car.

The restoration was done by Greg Perry at Vintage Motor Cars, of Mesa, Arizona, and it took a year-and-a-half to complete, at a cost of about $90,000. The engine was air flowed and tuned by Jim Unsworth, of flow bench fame.

This Healey has a 100M Le Mans Registry Certificate, a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate of Origin, and a Gold 100M Certificate, as well as all of its correct factory stampings, tools, and side curtains. It is surely one of the best and most desirable examples.

2018-01-17 16:59:09 | pauls writes:

Listed as sold at:
www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/1557-Austin-Healey%20-100%20M-2.6%20Litre%20Inline% ...

Sellers description:
1956 Austin-Healey 100 M
s/n BN2-L/230818m, Engine no. 1B230818M
Healey Blue with White Coves and Blue Interior

This particular example is a genuine, factory built BN2 100 M specification example with matching numbers, and was the subject of a rotisserie restoration to exacting standards. The current owner purchased the car in 2011, and upon inspection, found all the 100 M specific details to be in place, including the number cockpit surrounds, larger carburetors (stamped), intake manifold, cold airbox and frame bracket, body stampings on the bonnet and boot bracket, larger sway bar, and factory louvered hood. The car has been confirmed as a 100 M by the Gold 100 M Registry certification and British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certification.

The restoration was a frame off endeavor which included all mechanical systems. The engine was rebuilt with a higher lift cam, lighter flywheel, composite head gasket, and bench flowed manifold and carburetors, resulting in increased horsepower over stock. The overdrive, transmission, rear end, steering, brakes and hydraulics, fuel tank pump, and lines were also included. The restoration work was performed over a two-year period by Greg Perry and Vintage Motorcar and was finished in late 2013. A comprehensive stack of receipts is included in the sale.

The car shows wonderfully in its Healey Blue paintwork with white accent coves. The paint is excellent throughout with very minor orange peel on the left front fender. There are very minimal scratches surrounding the buckle for the leather hood-strap and a very small and nearly unnoticeable chip on the passenger's side door. The chrome work around the car is generally excellent. However, there is slight clouding on one of the overriders of the rear bumper and slight pitting and scratching due to road use on the car's front hood badge.
The car's interior presents very nicely with a matching painted dashboard and blue leather seats trimmed in white piping. The condition of the painted dashboard mirrors the condition of the exterior, with excellent paintwork throughout. The leather is in good shape and generally quite soft with slight patina on the seats as well as on the central console cushion. The carpets are very clean and there is minimal wear on the leather surrounding the floor-mounted shifter.

The engine compartment of the car is exceptionally clean with little to no signs of use. The car's engine received minor upgrades in an effort to increase power at the time of its restoration but appears stock. The trunk was thoroughly restored as well and is in excellent condition, with correct upholstery throughout. The car is complete with tool roll with tools, jack, hammer, side curtains, and original steering wheel.

This particular 100M runs extremely well having been described as resembling a brand-new car. The car drives excellently with good power, crisp suspension and an overall tight feel. The overdrive is operational and oil-pressure is very good along with the car's brakes and clutch.

This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a genuine 100M retaining its original Le Mans equipment. Verified as a genuine M model, this car is a matching numbers example that also drives extremely well. As a 1956 car, this 100M is also eligible for many of North America's premier road rally events where its impressive driving performance is sure to excite.