Donald Healey became involved in motor sport in the early 1920s and joined sports car manufacturer Invicta in 1930. In 1931, he won the Monte Carlo Rally whilst driving for Invicta. Healey subsequently worked for Riley and Triumph. He formed the Donald Healey Motor Company, in Warwick, in 1945 and became a manufacturer.

By 1952, Healey was looking for an engine supplier who could provide a large volume at a reasonable cost. He built a prototype car using the Austin A90 engine, had it bodied by Tickford, and put it on display at the London Motor Show, and there the Healey 100 was born. Leonard Lord, head of the British Motor Corporation, liked the car sufficiently enough to adopt it virtually on the spot. Production was moved to Longbridge, and there it became the Austin-Healey 100. The Austin-Healey 100-4 was followed by the 100-6 in 1956, which then evolved into the 3000 series. The 100-6 is seen by many purists as the personification of the Austin-Healey concept.

By the time this 1958 model had been introduced with many refinements; the new BN6 featured a powerful inline six-cylinder engine with more potent output thanks to its triple SU carburetors, new body panels and a strictly two-seater layout. This particular BN6 is reported as a weekend warrior racecar in Southern California that has been dormant for the last 20 years, and represents a “survivor with period correct racing equipment.”

This Austin-Healey has been stripped down for lightweight competition; among the many features, the Austin-Healey is said to have a “brand new” eight-gallon fuel cell bladder and lines, leather straps for the hood and rear deck, rare single taillights, center fuel fill, four-speed manual transmission (without overdrive), side-shift transmission, performance clutch, electrical kill switch, Austin front disc brakes, Porsche 914 (twin piston) rear disc brakes, oil cooler, triple SU carbs with custom intake, catch tanks, Moto-Lita steering wheel, custom dash, racing harness, race-type side exhaust with heat insulation, rollbar, side fender vents and more. The inline six-cylinder engine is reported at 2,639-cc.

This machine still wears its original knock-off wide racing wheels and tires, but will come with an extra set of new wire wheels and new tires to preserve the discontinued racing slicks. The Austin-Healy has experienced a recent mechanical tune up, with rebuilt radiator, rebuilt steering box, brake system, seat reupholstered and more. This BN6 will come with a certificate copy of factory record from British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. The car is reported as street legal and is currently registered and titled in California.