A Rare Racer: The 1955 Austin-Healey 100S Heritage: This 1955 Austin-Healey 100S, chassis AHS-3802, is one of only 50 examples of the alloy-bodied sports racer ever produced. Delivered new to the US, this car boasts a rich racing history, having been campaigned in the 1950s by its first owners, John and Evelyn Mull. It later traveled to New Zealand and Australia, participating in various vintage events before returning to the US in 2000. It’s a true piece of motorsport history.
Lightweight Design: The 100S Construction: The 100S was designed as a race-ready production model, inspired by Donald Healey’s competition program. To reduce weight, it features aluminum-alloy body panels, a Perspex windscreen, a smaller grille opening, and the absence of bumpers or a convertible top. This example, originally finished in white and blue, has been repainted multiple times during its racing career and underwent a refurbishment in the early 2000s to restore its original color scheme.
Performance and Handling: Engineered for the Track: The 100S is equipped with Dunlop four-wheel disc brakes, a first for a production car. The suspension features a coil-sprung independent front setup and a leaf-sprung solid rear axle. The 2.7-liter OHV inline-four engine, featuring an aluminum cylinder head, was rebuilt in 2009 with enhancements including a steel crankshaft and replacement rods. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission with an electrically actuated overdrive.
Racing Interior: A Driver-Focused Cockpit: The cockpit features vented-back bucket seats trimmed in dark blue upholstery with white piping. The dash panel, center tunnel, and doors are also trimmed in matching upholstery, while the footwells are painted in royal blue. A lap belt is fitted for the driver, and a spare wheel and tire are secured behind the passenger’s seat. Smiths instrumentation includes a 140-mph speedometer, a 6k-rpm tachometer, and gauges monitoring oil temperature, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level.
History and Provenance: A Storied Past: This 100S has a documented history, including its time with the Mulls, its journey to New Zealand, and its return to the US. It has participated in prestigious events such as the Mille Miglia Storica and various vintage rallies in the US. The car comes with owner’s manual, an ownership chronology, service records, spare parts, and a clean California title.
Summary:
- 1955 Austin-Healey 100S.
- One of 50 production examples.
- Racing history in the US, New Zealand, and Australia.
- 2.7-liter OHV inline-four engine.
- Four-speed manual transmission with overdrive.
- Dunlop four-wheel disc brakes.
- Aluminum-alloy body panels, Perspex windscreen.
- Refurbished in the early 2000s.
- Participated in Mille Miglia Storica and US vintage events.
- Documentation and spare parts included.
Disclaimer: Vehicle information is based on supplied details. Prospective buyers are encouraged to conduct their own thorough inspection and verification.
Source: bringatrailer.com
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
