1957 Austin Healey 100/6 BN4

This vehicle is an early Austin-Healey 100-6, in BN4 guise; that's the 2+2 model, rather than the later two-seater.

That means it sits in that range sweet spot, being a good deal more sprightly than the original 100 – and with a much better soundtrack and update looks – but not quite as scary as the later 3000.

It was originally manufactured in 1957, although precisely when is difficult to say; an application was made to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust for a heritage certificate, but “the factory record has not survived”.

The car shows as being first registered in the UK in 1984, but – although the significant majority of Big Healeys were exported overseas, with the USA being a particularly hot market for these cars - the owner assures us that it is a UK car.

More importantly than its first years, the car enjoyed a much more recent restoration which began in the early 00s, bringing it up to a high standard which has been maintained through to the present day.

The current owner, as of 2019, keeps the vehicle under a bespoke cover in a heated external building, as the centrepiece of a workshop/entertainment space, taking the car out for drives and events when conditions permit. He's looking for a new project though, and the 100-6 needs to move on first.

The car sports a classic two-tone Austin-Healey colour scheme, Ice Blue Metallic over Ivory White, with a dark blue tonneau – with separate driver and passenger areas – and a dark blue fabric hood and removable frame both present as discrete pieces.

We've gone over the paintwork almost with a magnifying glass and can't find any blemishes of any kind, even on the usual trouble spots on the leading edges, or indeed any evidence of any paint repairs.

Even poking around the sills, wheel arches, and wheel wells it's pretty much clean enough to eat your dinner off, which is remarkable considering the 15 years since its restoration. There's not even any scuffing around the locating eyes for the roof/tonneau.

That condition extends to the wheels, with all five – including the spare – of the 15-inch wire items presenting exceptionally. There's certainly no marking from kerbs, and no discolouration or staining that we can spot, and all four of the chrome knock-offs are beautiful and bright. All are equipped with matching Vredestein tyres with plenty of tread.

The other chrome areas are just as resplendent, with the front and rear bumpers and their verticals all gleaming, along with the light surrounds and the grille and air intake. The lights themselves are all intact with no cracks or fogging.

Also present and correct is the silver styling line strip, running front and rear on both sides. Similarly the door handles, boot handle and hinges, and fuel filler cap are all close to mirror-finish. In fact the only thing we'd note is a mild unevenness to the silver strip separating the rear of the passenger compartment from the body.

Both the tonneau and the roof are in impeccable condition, with no marks, scuffs, or even pulled stitches. The owner prepares the roof properly before fitting it – as convertible owners will know, the roof can contract when cold and not in use – but it's rarely used in any case as the car was meant to be driven open. There's no cracks, warping, or discolouration on the plastic rear screen.

All of the vehicle glass is clear and unmarked too. For the side windows that's little surprise as they're kept away from the vehicle and in a safe place along with the roof. A custom-made car cover is also included.

The cabin, picked out in dark blue with yellow highlights, is in entirely matching condition to the outside.

All four seats – and there are four, as this is the 2+2 BN4 model – sport this navy blue leather with yellow piping, and we just can't find a mark on them. Naturally the driver's seat has some more creasing across the base and backrest than the others, but we'd barely even term it as wear; the passenger seat may as well have never been used.

Despite the “Big Healey” name, the 100-6 is about the same size as a Mazda MX-5, so it should be little surprise that the two rear seats are for extremely occasional and short-distance use. It's probably no surprise that they are botox-smooth as they have likely never been used at all.

All of the carpets are in excellent condition, entirely free from stains, tears and scuffs, even around high-traffic areas such as the driver's side of the transmission tunnel – which also sports a navy leather finisher.

There's some protective rubber mats, with the Austin-Healey logo, for the front seats, both of which exhibit virtually no wear and have done their job well!

The navy leather dash is also unmarked, and the classic, chrome-ringed, four-dial dashboard – with original white Smiths dials – is clear, bright, and in excellent condition. There's an aftermarket, wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel in great condition too.

For the most part all of the vehicle controls are still in terrific condition, although the “Push” label on the heater controls has worn off a little.

Again, looking underneath the AH there's barely any evidence at all it's wearing even the 9400 miles on the clocks. The chassis itself is very clean indeed, and there's only a few areas on the rear where it's anything but bright blue.

There are a couple of pieces that bear special mention. This car sports front disc brakes, which Austin-Healey itself didn't introduce until the 3000. It's not an unusual upgrade, and although it won't please the concours judges it does make the car a better prospect on the roads.

Additionally, there's a side-exit exhaust on the nearside. Again, this isn't something that's rare on Healeys and gives a fruitier sound; the part itself is supplied by a renowed Healey specialist.

All 100-6 models come with the slightly smaller capacity 2.6-litre (2639cc compared to 2660cc) six-cylinder C-Series engine. A revision in 1957 saw power jump from just over 100hp to almost 120hp courtesy of a new head design and twin, semi-downdraft, 1 3/4" SU HD6 carbs.

This car has been fitted with a later engine.

With the car being a weekend toy, the owner keeps on top of everything mechanical, and the car starts up, goes, and stops just as it ought with no untoward noises or idiosyncracies. There's no synchro on first gear – as you'd expect – and the owner notes that it keeps oil pressure perfectly and has a Kenlowe fan to keep it cool in warm weather (ready for next summer!).

The majority of the history for the vehicle dates from the early 2000s, with its restoration and subsequent use and maintenance by the owner of the time, the current owner, and one in-between.

That details a car that's never wanted for anything, to which the general condition would testify, with receipts from several Austin-Healey specialists and other suppliers.

An old V5 notes the car was first registered in the UK in 1984 but was first used in 1957. While that might imply that the car may have spent some of its life overseas – as did most Big Healeys, predominantly in the USA before being repatriated – the owner states that it is a UK car.

Copies of other logbooks date its changing of hands, and its relocation to several areas of the UK, before coming to its current owner through a sports car specialist dealer in 2019.

There's several MOT certificates supplied, dating back to 1997 and verifying the low mileage since then – currently reading just over 9,400 miles, at an equivalent of just over 100 miles a year. The car is MOT exempt and doesn't have a current MOT but the owner is happy to put the car through a test if required.

When most people think of the Big Healey, they go to the 3000, but the earlier 100-6 should be right there alongside it. The 100-6 established the looks, sound, and power but kept things a little more understated.

This particular car has been restored to a high standard and kept by an enthusiast owner as not only a weekend toy but a man-cave centrepiece.

Some appropriate mechanical upgrades – notably the front disc brakes – make it the perfect way to enjoy the summer months and with no prep needed over the winter it's ready-made classic motoring for a new owner to enjoy.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £35,000 - £45,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Poppleton,York. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.