The 100-Six (Series BN6), introduced in April 1958, was a response by the British Motor Corporation to customer demand for a strict two-seat model. The original Healey, the 100, had been offered only as a two-seater roadster, but when BMC redesigned the car and introduced it in mid-1956 as the 100-Six, only a 2+2 passenger configuration was available. While more practical for families with small children, many felt that the Austin-Healey lost some of its sporting character, so BMC reintroduced a strict two-seater, the BN6 Series 100-Six. Only about 20 percent of 100-Six models were true two-seaters.

The example offered here was restored by Austin-Healey specialist Kurt Tanner, of Tanner Restorations, and it is a simply exceptional representative of the rare BN6 Series 100-Six. This Roadster, finished with understated elegance in Old English White with a red leather interior and black “Everflex” top, also features a Laycock de Normanville overdrive that operates with third and fourth gears, to provide a total of six forward ratios.

It was purchased as a complete, matching-numbers original car and was then completely stripped down to its bare rolling body shell, with only the shrouds and fenders still attached. The minimally needed metal repairs were carried out prior to sending it to the coachwork shop for a complete, show-quality, bare-metal finish, which included a full painting of the superstructure, chassis, underside, wheel wells, engine compartment, trunk, and interior. The paint used was a Lesonal base coat/clear coat, and the beautiful results speak for themselves.

The mechanical restoration included a complete engine rebuild, which included a jet cleaning of the block; boring; new pistons, rings, and wrist pins; a re-ground crankshaft; a rebuilt cylinder head; a new gasket set; a new timing chain and tensioner; new rod main bearings; and new thrust washers. The car has a new oil pump, a new balanced three-piece clutch, and a new water pump, as well as newly rebuilt show-quality carburetors. The generator, starter, and distributor were also rebuilt. The gearbox was rebuilt with new bearings, synchros, seals, gaskets, and a first gear ring.

This car comes with a tonneau cover; an original jack; a complete and correct tool kit; two sets of keys; the original service manual; a photo album of its restoration, provided by Tanner Restorations; and the original California “black plate.” This Healey was originally shipped to California and was purchased there by Kurt Tanner prior to the restoration. This superb example, riding on 48-spoke chrome wire wheels and radial tires, has covered less than 1,200 miles since the restoration was completed.