In 1955, Healey produced 50 full-competition 100S variants, and later that year, the 100M arrived with engine modifications including a high-lift camshaft, larger carburetors, higher-compression pistons, a free-flowing intake manifold, a cold air box and a special distributor. Output increased from 90 to 110 hp and the suspension received larger anti-roll bars, while the louvered bonnet was retain...

Widely considered the “original” Austin-Healey, the “Healey Hundred” BN1 and BN2 Series cars were built from 1953 to 1956. Most enthusiasts do not differentiate the two Series substantially as the only noticeable variation was the adoption of the four-speed gearbox with overdrive introduced on the BN2 models.

Young Americans fell in love with a new breed of sports car after World War II and small, independent automakers such as Nash and Kaiser were the first to realize this was more than a passing fad. The Nash-Healey in particular was the product of a chance encounter in late 1949 between Nash’s George Mason and sports car builder Donald Healey aboard the Queen Elizabeth II oceanliner.

The Healey story began in 1946, just after WWII. Early cars featured a sturdy chassis, independent front suspension and uprated Riley engines, and were good for true 100 mph performance. While the Riley engine models were being built in Britain, Donald Healey was sailing to the US. Aboard his ship, he met Nash-Kelvinator president George Mason. The two became fast friends and soon Mason agreed to ...

BY 1963 the BMC Competition department knew what they wanted to do with the Mini. Their efforts culminated in the 1963 Austin Cooper S and Morris Cooper S. Besides a host of upgrades, the primary difference was a specially cast engine block and cylinder head that was more suitable for racing.