segunda-feira, 31 de agosto de 2020

Austin-Healey 100 Le Mans Dealer 100M 1956, Inglaterra



















Austin-Healey 100 Le Mans Dealer 100M 1956, Inglaterra
Fotografia


2,660cc inline four-cylinder engine
Dual 1¾" SU H6 carburetors
110hp, 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive
Coil spring independent front suspension
Leaf spring live rear axle
Four-wheel disc brakes
One of only 640 Factory 100M's built
Left-hand drive from new
Original colour scheme
Introduced at the 1952 London Motor Show, the Healey 100 advanced a successful Donald Healey theme, uniting standard production components with a Healey-designed and built frame, suspension and attractive coachwork, to an unexpected triumph. Thousands were ordered during the Show, far more than Healey's small shop in Warwick could hope to deliver.
Austin's Leonard Lord provided the solution, adopting the Austin A90-engined Healey as the Austin-Healey and undertaking series production at the MG plant in Longbridge.
The 100's layout was conventional for the time, with four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with longitudinal leaf springs. The front-mounted Austin engine drove through an Austin gearbox which was originally designed for a remote column-shifted linkage and had an extremely low first gear unsuitable for the lighter Healey. The solution in the first series BN1 was practical. First gear was intact in the gearbox, but its selector was eliminated, and an electrically activated overdrive was added working on the Healey's 2nd and 3rd gears (3rd and 4th of the 4-speed A90 box) making five effective speeds.
Key to the 100's success was its sleek full envelope body designed by Gerry Coker. Visually separate fenders were gone, a design that was at the forefront of its day and remains pleasingly integrated and eye-catching seventy years later.
With production underway at Longbridge Healey's Warwick shop could turn its attention to competition support for the production cars. Long a successful rally competitor, Donald Healey naturally directed efforts that way and to the rally-like Mille Miglia.
In 1953 a pair of 100s were entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans where they finished 12th and 14th overall, 2nd and 3rd in class. Their configuration formed the basis for a performance update in 1954 based on the second series BN2 with a new overdrive-equipped 4-speed gearbox. Called the 100 M, it was upgraded with a pair of larger 1¾" SU H6 carburetors on a freer-flowing intake manifold, a cold air box with fresh air ducting from just behind the radiator grille, new distributor with more aggressive advance curve, stronger valve springs new pistons and a thinner head gasket raising the compression ratio from 7.5 to 8.1. Some received a more aggressive camshaft, but all got a modified bonnet with two rows of louvers and a leather hold-down strap.
Factory-built 100 Ms were taken in batches from Longbridge to Warwick where the M parts were installed. While owners of standard 100s could have the Le Mans kit installed by a Healey dealer, or buy and install the parts themselves, only about 640 were supplied by Austin-Healey with factory Le Mans kits.
This 1956 Austin-Healey 100 M is one of those rare factory-supplied cars. Completed on 7 February 1956, it was, as were most Austin-Healeys, originally delivered to the USA in its present livery of Ivory White over Black with Black interior trim and soft top and was equipped with standard U.S. equipment including laminated windscreen, heater and the M's distinctive louvered bonnet.
It is documented by a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Record Trace Certificate and membership in the Austin-Healey 100 M "Le Mans" Registry.
Acquired by the present British based collector in mid-2013, already upgraded with four-wheel disc brakes, it was immediately prepared by a highly-regarded Austin-Healey specialist to participate in the 2014 Mille Miglia.
Later in 2014 a comprehensive rebuild was commenced to bring it to modern competition standards. Over the next two years over £38,000 was spent including an aluminium competition radiator, oil cooler, twin-plate AP racing clutch, starter, steel rocker pedestal and shaft, aluminium sump, aluminium competition cylinder head, steel crankshaft and connecting rods, forged pistons, rebuilt gearbox and overdrive, Mallory distributor and cylinder liners.
All work has been done by the same highly regarded specialist ensuring continuity of workmanship, procedures and craftsmanship to the highest and most professional standards followed by continuing care by the professional staff in the collector's workshops. Attention has been lavished upon its engine, driveline, brakes and suspension with the intent of creating a fast, reliable, comfortable 100 M Le Mans for long distance events and tours.
This may be the most thoroughly prepared and developed Austin-Healey 100 M Le Mans extant and is ready to be driven and experienced in the many events for which it is an avidly sought participant.

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