1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 BN4
The 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 was part of the golden age of British motoring, a period that spanned the 1950s and 1960s. This particular model, the BN4, is the 2+2 version of the early Austin-Healey 100-6, offering a balance of performance and practicality that made it a beloved choice for sports car enthusiasts.
The Austin-Healey 100 series was a revelation upon its introduction, with the original Healey Hundred concept, developed by British rally driver Donald Healey, capturing the attention of the British Motor Corporation (BMC) at the 1952 London Motor Show.
The Healey Hundred, based on the three-seat Nash-Healey and the Austin A90 Atlantic, was a striking showcase of what a collaboration between Healey Motor Company and Nash-Kelvinator could achieve. Its ability to surpass 100mph with the A90’s 90hp, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine earned it the moniker “Hundred.”
By 1956, the model evolved into the 100-6, receiving a significant upgrade with a six-cylinder, 2.6-liter C-Series engine that provided a welcome increase in power. Alongside the mechanical improvements, the 100-6 featured a refreshed front end, characterized by a new grille and a distinctive hood-mounted air scoop, which enhanced its Gerry Coker-designed aesthetics.
The 100-6 was a more spirited machine than its predecessor, the original 100, offering a better soundtrack and updated looks without the intimidation factor of its successor, the formidable 3000 model.
The 3000, with its larger 2.9-liter engine, would continue the lineage of the “Big Healey”—a nickname coined to differentiate it from the smaller Austin-Healey Sprite—through three iterations until the end of BMC’s production, eventually giving way to the MGC.
Throughout its production run, Austin-Healey manufactured approximately 70,000 “Big Healeys” over 14 years and three generations. This level of production places the 100-6 in a similar realm of rarity as the iconic Jaguar E-Type, making it a prized possession for collectors.
Driving an Austin-Healey 100-6 BN4 is an experience that connects the driver to the road in a way that modern vehicles often fail to replicate.
The tactile feedback through the steering wheel, the mechanical symphony from the engine, and the wind in the hair sensation are all part of the visceral driving pleasure that this classic British sports car provides.
The 100-6 BN4’s significance is further highlighted by its place in the evolution of the Austin-Healey brand. It bridged the gap between the original 100 and the legendary 3000, carrying forward the spirit of innovation and performance that Donald Healey envisioned.
The car’s design, with its long hood, flowing lines, and two-tone paint schemes, exudes a sense of motion even when standing still, capturing the optimistic spirit of the post-war era.
Collectors and enthusiasts who are lucky enough to own or drive a 1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 BN4 are custodians of a piece of motoring heritage.
Credit: Bring a Trailer
