1959 Austin-Healey 100-6

Beautiful restoration in fantastic colors. Extensive recent service. New chrome wire wheels and fresh tires. Full weather equipment. Runs and drives great! The only Austin-Healey with 2 seats and a 6-cylinder engine, making for great performance.

The evolution of the Austin-Healey is fascinating, changing from a somewhat crude 2-seat roadster to a grand-touring 4-seater with big horsepower from a burly 6-cylinder engine. For many, the sweet spot is this 100-6 BN6, which combines the desirable 2-seater bodywork with the firm s first 6-cylinder engine, making for sparkling performance. Styling is unmistakable with the oval grille, sweeping front fenders, and distinctive two-tone paint scheme that was endemic to most Healeys of the period. Finished in simple black and white, it has a classic, elegant look that is a big reason why the big Healeys command such a premium over other British sports cars of the era. Panel fit is excellent and there s a brilliant shine to the finish that shows quality workmanship on the 10-year-old restoration. Details like the mirrors perched way out on the front wings, the faux air scoop, and exposed fuel filler are all nods to Healey s racing heritage. Chrome and other brightwork is a nice combination of restored pieces and quality original bits, giving the car an all-of-a-piece look that s quite appealing. From any angle, this is a very attractive car.

The red interior, however, is what makes this car really pop. It s a bit understated in the traditional British way, but the combination is just gorgeous. Supportive bucket seats are ideal for spirited driving and there s enough room behind the wheel for even taller drivers. The package shelf behind the seats is fully carpeted and includes storage for the spare tire (leaving the trunk impressively spacious). The banjo-style steering wheel is big enough to make wheeling the muscular Healey easy and the almost delicate thin rim transmits everything the front wheels are doing directly to your fingertips. A full complement of Smiths gauges monitors all the engine s vitals while the rest of the controls are simple and straightforward, a rarity in British cars. There is no radio to distract you from the heroic soundtrack of the big 6-cylinder engine up front, but it does have a heater for those cool night drives. Rubber floor mats protect the carpets and there s a grab handle for the passenger, which will undoubtedly come in handy. The top is manual, of course, and stows easily in the trunk to preserve the car s clean lines. There are also rigid side curtains for additional weather protection. The trunk itself is neatly finished with a carpeted mat and plenty of room for a weekend s worth of luggage for two.

The real reason the 100-6 BN6 is special, however, is under the hood. Instead of the raucous 4-cylinder that previously powered the Austin-Healeys, this is an all-new 2.6 liter inline-6 that s torquey and smooth and loves to rev. Fed by a pair of side-draft SU carburetors, it makes the most wonderful six-cylinder sounds, a burly baritone that grows as you wind it through the gears. It s finished in traditional Austin green paint and sticks to the stock formula no modifications here. It starts easily once you figure out just where the choke likes to be and idles with an urgency that says it would rather play than sit still. The 4-speed manual shifts cleanly with light clutch action, and compared to the earlier gearboxes, this is one you ll downshift just for the joy of rowing the gears. Out back, a live axle hangs on leaf springs and there are 3.91 gears inside, so it s a reasonable cruiser at highway speeds. The chassis is robust and the recent stainless steel exhaust system sounds epic at speed, particularly from about 3000 RPM. Manual drum brakes are powerful enough for the car s light curb weight and it sits on brand new chrome wire wheels with fresh 165SR15 Dunlop radials that look suitably vintage.

Beautifully finished, great colors, and a wonderful driving experience this Healey checks all the boxes. If you re a fan of British sports cars, this is a fantastic opportunity to own a 6-cylinder Healey for a reasonable price and it s a big step up from, say, a Triumph or MG. It s in exactly the right condition to drive and enjoy while participating in local events, and few cars invite you onto the road like this one. If that appeals to you, give us a call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.