1955 Austin Healey Other

100M - LeMans Convertible

1B139122 ( Westlake)

Manual

BN1L22707B

Clear

Gasoline

A wonderful rare "barn-find", an amazing complete 1955 Austin Healey 100M BN1. Yes, that is right, wow! You can probably count on one hand how many of these are left to restore in the US. While not a "BN2 Factory M" it was originally titled an M (Lemans) so it must be a BN1 dealer package M. (next best thing to some people) The car has been off the road since probably 1972. The car had a carburetor fire and that is what must have put her in storage, soon be awakened 42 years later. The car is solid and complete, even has the side curtains, full wire spare and the engine DOES turn over. The 100 is offered for sale with the British Motoring Industry Heritage Certificate! (Still waiting for that) I may only be the third owner of this iconic legion of motorsport history. This is the type of car that was involved the infamous 1955 Le Mans crash that changed motorsport racing from then on. Once restored this car will qualify for most any vintage racing, rallies or tours here or abroad. This car was already in an Italian rally (badge on the dash) and has extra gauges /clock used in rallies. Even has a race mod trunk/boot, no outside latch, I have only seen that on the race cars. Shelby fans will note that Carroll Shelby wanted this car, the 100 BN1 for his race cars, Donald Healey turned him down, so Shelby had to go to AC Bristol. These cars should/could have been the first Shelby Cobras and was Shelby's first choice! So... the car needs to be professionally restored or at least by an expert Austin Healey hobbyist restorer, given the value of these cars, and it should be a frame off restoration. The body and floors are amazingly solid, just one hole in the drivers pan. most every thing else is pretty good, the hood/bonnet was distorted a bit with the carb. fire and missing the cold air box, but can be fixed or easily replace, parts are plentiful from many different vendors. The fire did mess the paint on the shroud, but is purely cosmetic and would be taken back to metal anyway. The drivers side rear leaf spring has an issue with the mount that needs to be addressed ( is off). Basically you will be getting a great 99% complete car for restoration. It will all be wanted to be gone through, rebuilt/restored as in any proper restoration, so I won't itemize every single little thing here. Engine rebuild, new wire, paint, tires, brakes, interior etc. you know, the usual. This car needs to go to a British car connoisseur collector or vintage racer of rally tourer. I reserve the right not to sell the car to someone that wants to heavily modify it. Properly restored, these cars can exceed 100 thousand dollars at auction and values have gone up 50% in the last few years making them great investments. Prices will only go up, get it while you still can. Some may notice that some of the typical "BN2" (Late - 1955-1956) bits and pieces, different hood etc. aren't all there. From what I understand most of that didn't start until the BN2. this car is a first model BN1. There is a lot of misinformation and contradictions about pre -BN2 M's and all the various M kits. I don't want to get into long discussions about that because even the experts and people that were there disagree. Honesty I don't understand all the big deal about "Factory M" what is the big difference if a dealer representative did the M work or if a guy at the factory did? I am not selling the car as a factory M and it's not, If it were I would be asking 40k opening bid, not a low18. I am not even sure the engine is matching until I get the BMI from England. The number appears to be maybe from an earlier car? Maybe they dropped a different engine into it after blowing up the original racing? or put different carburetors on after the carb fire? I don't know? I do know it would have been titled an M from the dealer and if the engine is not matching, it can be restored back to M specs. pretty easily. Add the later BN2 louvered bonnet and strap etc. if you want, that's a taste thing. Since it's not a 200K Factory M car, you have a bit more room to make it the way you would want it and it could always be changed back to BN1 hood etc. So why the hell would I sell this car? Well... good question, and I wonder that myself? Basically, I don't have the time or inclination to take on a year long project like that. I am moving and will not have six garage stalls like I have now for all my toys. I feel it's best to pass this on to a more experienced restorer or a person that has the means and devotion to restore her right. Even if you "buy it now" and put another 20-25K or more into the project; you will still get a fantastic return investment on the car down the road. Check out the auction results in the past year or so! Average condition value for this car is between 65 - 79K. A fully fresh frame off restored car goes for 95-136K. I reserve to cancel the auction at any time (I am talking to UK interested parties) so buy it now if you really want it, this is a once in a life time chance to restore a Austin Healey 100M for really not that much money in the big picture. I want to keep it in the States if I can, so jump on it now. I will however entertain oversea collectors ( this is a left hand car). I am also selling a 1960 Austin Healey "bugeye" Sprite Mk1 948CC. this car is complete, original, has all new rockers (in and outer and new floors) striped and ready for paint after and bit more body work. The engine is out and ready for rebuild. It has lots of new parts ready for it. New top, carpet, springs, on and on, over $1200 new parts. This car is already half restored. I was going to restore the 100M too and have first models of the big and small Healeys! A great collection in anyone's book. I'll make you a deal if you want both. (see last four pictures) Thanks for bidding and feel free to ask questions, Matt On Oct-15-14 at 17:56:07 PDT, seller added the following information: An update - thanks for all your interest and bid. Please note that the "Buy it Now" options evidently goes away after a person starts the bidding process. So that is no longer available, I did not know that when writing the description, sorry. So basically, it is now a standard auction. Good luck. On Oct-19-14 at 17:43:19 PDT, seller added the following information: Please note if you don't have a positive bid history or 0 purchase history, I will not accept your bid and cancel it. On Oct-20-14 at 07:07:44 PDT, seller added the following information: IMPORTANT UPDATE : As I noted, a full BMI report is on it's way for restoration build, you are however, able to ask them one free question. My question was - is the engine matching? I received an email this morning stating that it is not. Vin # BN1 227078 should have engine 1B/227078. The current engine in it is 1B/139122, an earlier BN1 engine. This confirms my assumptions, and explains why many have had concerns about the engine not looking like it has M parts. It is obvious that the car raced with its very rare race trunk, extra amp, vacuum and pressure gauges, rally badge and added vintage aluminum insulated heat shielding and titled as a M. It is logical that the original M engine would have been wrecked, retired or sold after racing. The good part is that the current engine turns over and is a BN1 engine. The part now of the restorer now is to bring the engine back to it's original M specs to match it's title and racing past. A fun project for sure. Understand that not having the original engine does effect auction results regardless that a period correct model BN1 engine is built back to M spec. Instead of a 175K car, it will be a 90-100K car once fully restored and go up from there over time. Some other house keeping items now that the auction is coming to a close. The person or company picking up the car will need a wench. The car won't leave the premise until paid in full and all funds have cleared the bank. Once I get the full BMI cert I will forward that of course. Happy bidding, restoring a hope you get this motorsport icon and legion. thanks!