Austin-Healey introduced the 100-6 in 1956, delivering several refinements over its predecessor, the four-cylinder 100. Fitted with BMC’s new C-series six-cylinder engine and sitting on an upgraded chassis, the 100-6 came in two variants: the BN4 four-seater made from 1956-1959, and the two-seat BN6 roadster made from 1958-1959. The two-seater was a nod to market demand: buyers missed the sporty feel of the 100. Only about 14,436 100-6s were made during the entire production run. Here on eBay is a 1959 BN6 in project condition, with bidding sitting at $600, reserve not met. The car is located in Baldwin Park, California, and unfortunately, it has no title.
While BMC’s new 2.6-liter engine produced 102 hp at its introduction – a good 10 hp more than the 100’s four-cylinder – the weight of the four-seater extracted a performance penalty. The BN6 roadster performed slightly better, and that increment grew in 1957 when BMC switched to a six-port, cast aluminum intake manifold. Larger SU carburetors and a higher compression ratio brought output to 117 hp, shaving almost a second off zero-to-sixty times. The 100-6 was fitted with a four-speed manual gearbox; this car has the optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive. Top speed is around 103 mph. Our seller notes that this engine does run, but the car needs substantial attention before it can be driven.
The interior is unquestionably worn, but all its elements appear intact, including the jack. A selection of parts comes with the car, including its side curtains, a top that’s seen better days (hopefully the frame pieces are in there somewhere), and wire wheels in case the new owner wants to undertake a conversion from the factory-fitted steel wheels. Rust is a question mark requiring an inspection, but most of the bodywork looks decent. One element lost in the transition from the 100 to the 100-6 was the earlier car’s nifty fold-down windshield. This one is fixed. The grill also changed from Austin-Healey’s trademark fan-shape to a less distinctive oval.
The rear bumper sits askew, but there’s no real indication of accident damage – as noted, these panels and their gaps are quite presentable. While considerable work awaits the new owner of this Healey, asking prices for excellent BN6s remain in the $50k area even in this soft market, if you can find one. Yet this car is lounging around at a price that’s less than its parts value. What do you think – is this rare Healey worth the work to bring it up to show quality? Or would you get it running and call it good?
:0,,,I’m speechless( yay), nope, there it goes. $600? I don’t gloat in the fact that we are seeing the demise of our hobby, and so quick is the amazing part. I have to remember, why just yesterday these were 5 figures,,,well, that was 25 years ago, pops, and this only certifies the lack of interest. My brother had a ’58, with a ’64 3,000 motor, and I beg to differ, on a “speed run” once, we had it up to at least 120, but the needle was bouncing so bad, we took an estimate. It was a fast, unpredictable car, braking was its weak spot, and eventually did the car in. ( A car pulled out in front of him, he hit the brakes, the left front grabbed before the right, sending the car into a spin, mowing over a traffic island.)
Did the BFs staff ever find a Big Healey? Because it won’t get much nicer than this, steel wheels are a huge plus, I rarely saw these with them, and will certainly command more, but I doubt 5 figures. I suppose it’s true, great deals will be had again, if we can hold out, that is. $600 bucks,,,for this? Just shows, people just have no interest in these cars anymore. Their loss, huh?
I still remember the sound a 3000 made when outfitted with a split manifold and dual exhaust. Pure automotive music. Austin-Healeys in general were a car I always wanted but never obtained.
I had a 100-6 back around 1975.I paid $1000 for it.
It was in really good shape,with front & rear bumpers
made out of long strips of painted Black metal.It had a
combination of BN4/BN6 parts.It was a ’59,& it was Red.
Also the first car my (now) Wife & I went out in.I once
had a Jag driver wave,& I looked behind me to see who he
was waving at,& realized that he was waving at me! When
you drive a Corolla 1200,Jag owners never wave at you,unless
you know them.
I ended up selling it to the son of one of the owners of
Love-Thomas Motors in Honolulu for $2100 & thought that I’d
made a killing!
Always wondered if it still survives.
My father bought a used four-seat 100-6 in 1959, and traded it a year later on a 3000. The 100-6 was far from the fastest car around — even if it did have the six-port manifold — and the 3000, while quicker, was hardly the speediest car on the road, but the big difference was the front disc brakes, which gave the new car some serious braking power.
Seems odd to see one with steel wheels and hubcaps. Those are probably rare (I’ve only seen one six-cylinder Healey “in person” so equipped), but they were options, just like the overdrive.
Though a bit tired when Dad bought it, the 100-6 never gave any serious trouble, and in fact when I got my driver’s license some years later, I found it and almost bought it. It was still a bit tired.
I’d counsel anyone thinking of buying to pay serious and close attention to rust. These can rot, at the base of fenders and doors, and in many locations on the chassis. The latter can be dangerous, to say the least.
But everything else is pretty stout — the 3000 went on to rack up more than 500,000 miles with only two engine rebuilds; the transmission/overdrive units were never opened up.
The reserve is sure to be a good bit higher than the current top bid, even with the missing title. Just about everything needed for a full restoration can be had, but they are not inexpensive and I’ve heard horror stories about some of the Asian “reproduction” parts.
Still, whether just cleaned and made roadworthy or fully restored, this is a practical and fun classic.
Whenever I think of the name Austin Healy, a 100-6 is the very first model that comes to mind. Michelle started something a while ago about a bucket list of cars we’d like to drive. A 100-6 is absolutely one of them. To me at least, looking at the photos it appears very solid and restorable, and too nice to be a parts car. Thank you Michelle, I enjoyed this drinking my morning cup of coffee. ( And you got me wanting one now).
Any Austin-Healey is aces with me. This one’s all there, and stuck on $600 on Flea Bay? I doubt that’s anywhere near its reserve. If the reserve is sane however, it would be good to restore this if one has the time and $$.