Similar in looks to the 100, the Austin-Healey 100-6 was a British-built sports car with a six-cylinder engine. They weren’t prolific in terms of production numbers, with some 14,436 copies being made in three years. So, fans of the car may take notice when two of them turn up for sale as a pair. From Post Falls, Idaho, the duo has matching numbers and plenty of extra parts, so everything may be there to get the restorations started. The pair is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $25,000. Score another cool tip from Barn Finder T.J.!
After the 100 and before the 3000, there was the 100-6. Because of their size, we’re told the trio is sometimes known as the “Big Healeys.” The 100-6 grew slightly in wheelbase from its predecessor (a whole two inches) but also picked up two extra cylinders in the process. With the extra room between the wheels, a jump seat was sometimes added. In 1958, the 100-6 used a 2.6-liter inline-6 that was rated at 117 hp and could be ordered with overdrive (which had been standard before). These were zippy little cars, able to top out at more than 100 mph (but thirsty at less than 18 mpg).
We don’t know how it is that the seller has two of these cars from the same model year, differing though in color. The original goal was to restore them both, but the seller’s goal has no doubt changed. With all the extra parts they will come with, we assume enough is there to get the job done – or at least get one of them across the finish line. The seller has not expressed an interest in separately the autos, so if you want one, you also get the other. Have you ever owned or driven an A-H 100-6?
As a wild guess, I’m going to say the red Healey is a 3000, based only on the smooth hood/bonnet. 100-6es like the blue car had a ridge in the center of the hood. The blue car is also an early model with the “gallery” intake. These were actually slower than their four-cylinder predecessors.
My father bought a used 100-6, also an early car. He drove it for less than a year, trading it in for a new 3000 in 1960. Oddly enough, when I was looking for a car six years later, I ran across our old 100-6. My father said I wouldn’t like it after driving the 3000, and he was right. It was a bit of a lump.
Judging only by the photos, these are barely restorable, most likely destined to be parted out. The red car is a basic-spec, disc-wheel car. Never saw any of those in Southern California back in the day.
Much as I would love to have another Healey, these are not calling my name.
I believe the 100-6 BN4 had the ridge, the laterBN6 lost the ridge in the hood when MFG was relocated to the MG plant in Abingdon/
The red one is a 3000 BT7 as I have owned both models but both of my were on 48 spoke wire. I have also never seen any Healey six without a Laycox overdrive. Never heard a reference to that being an optional feature.
I had a buddy with a 59 100 in high-school. We rode 90% of the time in my 64 Impala convertible. All he did was work on the thing or walk. He gave up when his parents bought him one of those little Japanese pickups. We towed the Healy to the scrapyard with a chain and watched it disappear.
Cut the price in half or more then you might get me excited about this pair. Not enough information and like RayT says, they may be barely restorable.
I thought $10K for the pair would be reasonable based on what I see.
2 big healeys, solid floor boards, extra parts, Ad is already taken down, sold.
The term “Big Healey” was coined to differentiate them from the little Healeys, the Sprites.
Sprites and MG Midgets were built exclusively at the MG Works in Abingdon. The big Healeys were at different times made in Abingdon, or the BMC plant at Longbridge, Birmingham.
Barely restorable?, huh? Most restorations would start with a car that needs restoration. Solid floors and solid body panels is a great place to start with on these. I would not hesitate taking on either of these.
“Barely restorable” Hahaha, what a joke. Negative comments are indicative of someone who has never turned a wrench, let alone restored an old car. I’ve restored Healeys in much worse condition than these two. Solid floors indicate that the frames are likely good as well. $25k for two Healeys with extra parts is a deal.
I owned a 1959 100-6 when in high school in 68. I spent more time fixing it than driving it. One day I drove over some railroad tracks, heard and felt a significant “clunk”, but kept on driving. When I got home I tried to open the driver’s door to get out- it wouldn’t budge. I climbed out over the door and tried from the outside, wouldn’t budge. I jacked it up using the back axle and found that the frame had broken in 2 places right under the back axle. What a piece of junk! Never another Healy for me…
I had a 100.4 in high school. I was stopped on the side of the road one day and a fellow with a 100-6 stopped to offer assistance. I followed him home to his garage where he had whatever it was I needed (radiator hose maybe?) His 100-6 was a rare one with only 2 seats and 3 carburetors. After he looked over my car he offered to trade even for his 100-6. I declined.