Austin-Healey 100
| Austin-Healey | |
|---|---|
_Solitude_Revival_2019_IMG_1839.jpg) Austin-Healey 100-6
|
|
| 100 | |
| Production period: | 1953-1959 |
| Class : | Sports car |
| Body versions : | Roadster |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 2.6-2.9 liters (67-75 kW) |
| Length: | 3850 mm |
| Width: | 1540 mm |
| Height: | 1250 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2290 mm |
| Empty weight : | 910 kg |
| successor | Austin-Healey 3000 |
The Austin-Healey 100 is an Austin-Healey roadster built by BMC from 1953 to 1959 . Donald Healey built a single Healey 100 for the 1952 London Motor Show . Its design impressed the British Motor Corporation, owners of the Austin Motor Company, so much that they decided to produce the Austin-Healey 100.
In contrast to the Austin Healey 3000 , which got its name because of its 3000 cm³ engine, it was named after its top speed. The Austin-Healey 100 was one of the few vehicles at the time that was able to drive consistently 100 miles an hour (160 km / h).
history
The first Austin-Healey 100 (BN1) were assembled in the BMC factory in Longbridge, the chassis came from the Jensen factory in West Bromwich. The aim was to build up to 100 copies per week. The cars had a 90 hp (67 kW) 4-cylinder engine with a three-speed manual transmission and, on request, overdrive for second and third gear. The price was £ 750. A Jaguar XK120 cost £ 1,130 by comparison.
From August 1955, there were improvements that resulted in the revised BN2 model. The three-speed gearbox was replaced by a four-speed gearbox, still with overdrive. The two-tone paintwork typical of Austin Healey was also introduced with the new version. A 100M version with a more powerful engine with 110 hp (82 kW) was optionally available. The 100S version (for Sebring International Raceway ) marked a further increase . It had a 132 hp (98 kW) engine and an aluminum chassis to minimize weight; no bumpers were used. In addition, the radiator grille was made smaller and the windshield replaced with a plastic version. Together this resulted in a weight saving of 91 kg. The new Dunlop sport disc brakes were used on the front and rear axles .
A 1953 test by The Motor measured a top speed of 106 mph (171 km / h). The test model accelerated from 0 to 100 in 11.2 seconds and consumed 12.6 liters per 100 km. Including taxes, the 100 / BN1 cost £ 1,063.
The last 100-6 models from 1956 were named BN4 and BN6. In contrast to the BN6, the BN4 was a 2 + 2 seater. To create space for the additional seats, the wheelbase has been extended by 50 mm. The car was powered by a 6-cylinder BMC-C engine. The overdrive was no longer standard, but still available as an option.
In 1957, Longbridge production was relocated to the MG plant in Abingdon. By the time production was discontinued in 1959 in favor of the Austin-Healey 3000, a total of 15,826 Austin-Healey 100s (100-4 and 100-6) were built.
literature
- Larry Edsall: Legends of Automotive History: From the Beginning to the 21st Century . White-Star-Verlag, Wiesbaden 2006, ISBN 3-939128-52-X , pp. 148-149.
swell
- ↑ oldtimer-bild.de ( Memento from January 4, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ "The Austin-Healey" Hundred "Road Test", The Motor (September 16 1953)
- ↑ home.arcor.de ( Memento from March 7, 2005 in the Internet Archive )
