2013-03-13 13:13:40 | Lofty writes:

Car was at auction 3/13
www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm

Auction description:
Amelia Island
09 March 2013
Lot 135
1956 Austin-Healey 100M BN2 'Dealer-Prepared' Le Mans Roadster
Sold for $96,250

Chassis no. BN2-L/231533
Engine no. 1/231533M
Body no. 13086

Fresh restoration by Tom and Randee Rocke of Healey Lane
Numbers-matching, dealer-prepared Le Mans spec car
Ideal for show or driving

Based upon the two cars that entered and placed at Second and Third in Class at Le Mans in 1953, the Austin-Healey 100M featured major upgrades, including a high-lift camshaft, larger carburetors, high-compression pistons, a free-flowing intake manifold, a cold air box, and a unique distributor. Engine output increased by 20 horsepower, and the suspension received larger anti-roll bars, while a Le Mans-specification leather strap secured the louvered hood.
The car offered here is a dealer-converted Le Mans-specification car, fresh from an exacting restoration by marque specialists Tom and Randee Rocke of Healey Lane in Riverside, California. The matching-numbers engine, transmission, and overdrive were fully rebuilt, and new brake and fuel lines, a master brake and slave cylinders, jet-coated brake drums, a fuel pump, and a gas tank were installed. The car is now equipped with a jet-coated stainless steel exhaust, a Le Mans-specification cold air box, an alloy Le Mans cooling fan, and a new four-row radiator. All dashboard gauges are fully rebuilt, and the steering wheel, drop-down racing windshield, and Le Mans dash plaque are all new. The freshly chromed 100/4 bumpers and 48-spoke wire wheels sparkle.

This spectacular, fresh Austin-Healey, to the most desirable specification, is equipped with its British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate and full photo documentation of the restoration, and it comes with a one-year, full drivetrain warranty.

2023-04-15 23:49:54 | Roger writes:

I looked at this car at the estate of a collector who had recently passed away, in remote Washogal, WA, in 2012. It had an older, not-very-good red respray at the time, the engine and interior were out and who-knows where in the piles of stuff in the large messy outbuilding it was in. I do not recall any evidence of "M" parts but was not really looking for them!

In the same outbuilding was an MG TF, Ford Cortina, Triumph TR3, Oldsmobile Toronado, about 30 Japanese and British motorcycles and dozens of remote-control aeroplane models. Elsewhere on the property were a couple of tough-condition Morgans, another TR3 and a Ferrari 250GTE rotting away under a damp cotton car cover! All I can vividly remember about the whole thing was the smell of damp and rat piss.

At the time, all of it seemed over-priced, but time makes a fool of us all...or certainly me. I have a vague memory of this Healey being maybe 20K or so. There has to be a lot more than 80K of parts and professional time in this car between then and now, so seems well-purchased at price above.