1954 Austin Healey (BN1) 100/4 - FIA classic race car to 100M specification

This Austin Healey 100/4 is a superb FIA-compliant race car, which was rebuilt to 100M specification by Dennis Welch in 1986 and has been fastidiously maintained in recent years by Woolmer Classic Engineering.
Under the bonnet is the 2.7-litre inline-four, coupled to the four-speed manual transmission with a Sebring gear set and uprated overdrive. The car’s 100M specification includes larger 2-inch SU carburettors, high-lift camshafts, 8.1:1 compression pistons and stiffened race suspension.
Its racing inline-four is equipped with uprated cams and pistons, steel rods, high-power oil and water pumps and a fully balanced racing flywheel.
Its four-speed Sebring-geared transmission is linked to a Tilton Engineering competition clutch, also benefiting from a refurbished and uprated overdrive system.
The car has enjoyed a competitive history and will be accompanied by a valid FIA Historic Technical Passport, making it an ideal choice for any budding classic racer.
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[@DrJohnnyJ]

Well done. I did the same thing with my 1956 100/4 in 1973. Took it to a machine shop, bought disc brakes, stiffer suspension. Kept the windscreen, though. The standard 100/4 wasn't much but the 100M was a lot of fun on the Angeles Crest highway.

[@taxicamel]

For those working on these cars and just looking for Healey parts of any kind, I have found "A-Head 4 Healeys" is now the go-to place. Their prices are far more competitive and they DO want

[@songsmith31a]

I had a green 100M Le Mans Healey back in the early 70s here in central London UK. I recall the thrill of its
declining "wow" exhaust note when powering up Edgware Road W2 in 2nd and then taking the foot off
the accelerator as I turned off that busy road at my destination. An unusual feature - wide-rim wheels
and flared wheel arches that came with the car when I bought it for four hundred or so GBP back then.

[@thesoultwins72]

@Mark Newberry........Mmm - sounds like the previous owner[s] tried to 'soup it up'? By the way - and sorry to ask - but were you sure it was an authentic 100M? [most were not!]

[@songsmith31a]

@@thesoultwins72 My aged memory is being taxed now but that's how i remember it from documentation. I also recall it's louvred bonnet held down by a heavy buckled leather
strap across its width, with two frontal small buckled straps - and how it could be lifted
clear away to access the engine compartment when all three straps were undone., Also, I
recall the overdrive switch on the gear knob, its steel bodywork - and the sheer fun I -
got from driving it!!. My memory also tells me that the registration number was GEE 720.

[@thesoultwins72]

@@songsmith31a .......Mmm - I'm sure your memory regarding documentation might be accurate but the fitting of the louvered bonnet and leather straps are all pretty common knowledge. [incidentally - ALL 100's came with overdrive. This was due to the fact that on the first iteration of the marque, the BN1 - the gearing was so out of sync, first gear had to be blanked off as it would rip the rear axle out!]
You are also totally mistaken with respect to the bodywork being made of steel. Both the front and rear shrouds were aluminium - only the doors, front and rear wings as well as bonnet and boot lid were steel. This led a to peculiar form of corrosion ['electrolytic' or 'galvanic'] where the steel and aluminium body panels had a destructive reaction when they came into contact. As a result, rubber beading was used to separate the panels - although this was only marginally effective.
I would also point out that the majority of 100M's were NOT authentic. Healey Motors [which originally built all the 100M's] never kept a record of how many cars they produced. It was only when Austin themselves took over production [due to demand for the car], that they started keeping a log - and an estimated 643 were built.
However, to confuse matters even more, Healey/Austin began selling a '100M conversion kit' so owners could 'upgrade' their stock 100/4's. [But yet again never kept a record of how many of these kits were sold]. Furthermore, countless 100/4 owners took it upon themselves to 'convert' their cars to 100M's as the process was relatively straightforward.
So in truth, unless your car met with all the upgrades [such as larger carburettors, alfin disc brakes, cold air box, high-lift camshaft, stiffer front suspension - plus the louvered bonnet and leather straps - and had a plate fixed to the engine bulkhead stating it was a factory-built 100M] there is no real or accurate way of telling if it is a genuine 100M or not.

[@songsmith31a]

@@thesoultwins72 Thanks for the information. I know that the leather strap across the bonnet
was a known feature but I'm curious why my own had two small leather straps holding it down
at the front - noting the absence of these in the Healey shown in this posting - permitting the
bonnet to be lifted right off rather than fitted with a means of holding it open. And I do recall
the bigger than usual twin SU carbs. I bow to your knowledge/opinions otherwise. Cheers..

[@who_stole_my_username]

Isn't the 'fuel cutoff' actually the battery isolator? Even with the ignition on, the dash lights didn't come on until you switched the 'fuel' on. Also, those Dunlop CR65 tyres aren't strictly road legal. Beautiful car though.

[@ihaveapetsheep]

Yup, it’s an FIA kill switch, required for sanctioned racing. If it was just a fuel cutoff the car would actually keep running for a few seconds. It isolates the battery completely, and in alternator-equipped cars, cuts that also, otherwise the alternator would keep the engine running.

[@TomShorrock]

Great video! Love the car, love the angles! And love the way you present this! Well done 🤘🏻

[@adamap2796]

Rough patch repairs in floor well and inner sills 😢

[@MiataBRG]

I wonder what dust and grit goes into the fuel system on that stick

[@benhur_9377]

❤

[@richardcook2674]

Love Collecting cars...small man with an extra 2 inches of hair....!

[@HolgerKuhrts]

I really like the car, but the miata offered 115 PS with less weight, so?

[@taxicamel]

hahahaha. A miata is NOT an AUSTIN HEALEY .....from any angle.😊😜😎

[@davestorey3741]

T

[@bertiewooster3326]

Any Healey 100 can be converted to this spec don't pay a premium for verbosity!

[@Channel-os4uk]

Its 'racing' car, not race car, unless of course you are American..

[@thedr4549]

Useless mirror locations.

[@the_end_boss]

useless comment.