Austin Healey 100/6 BN4 2+2 Roadster
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Car producer : |
Austin Healey |
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Model: |
100/6 BN4 2+2 Roadster |
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Year: |
1955-1959 |
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Type: |
Roadster |
The Austin-Healey 100-6 is a two-seat roadster produced by British Motor Corporation from 1956 to 1959. A replacement for the Austin-Healey 100, it was followed by the Austin-Healey 3000; together, the three models have become known as the Big Healeys.
The 100-6 featured a 2 in (50.8 mm) longer wheelbase than the 100, a more powerful straight-six engine in place of its slightly larger inline-four, and added two occasional seats (which later became optional). The body lines were slightly streamlined, a smaller, wider radiator grille placed lower, an air scoop was added to the bonnet, and the windscreen fixed.
The 100-6 was produced in two model designators, the 2+2 BN4 from 1956 onwards and the 2-seat BN6 in 1958-9.
The cars used a tuned version of the BMC C-Series engine previously fitted to the Austin Westminster, initially producing 102 bhp (76 kW) and increased in 1957 to 117 bhp (87 kW) by fitting a revised manifold and cylinder head. The previously standard overdrive unit was made optional.
In late 1957 production was transferred from Longbridge to the MG plant at Abingdon.
In 1956, a major redesign saw the wheelbase lengthened, redesigned bodywork with a fixed windshield and two occasional seats added (which in 1958 became an option with the introduction of the two-seat BN6 produced in parallel with the 2+2 BN4), and the powertrain completely replaced by one based on the six-cylinder BMC C-Series engine.
