[D]

Donald Healey showed a 4-cylinder 2.6 litre Austin A90 Atlantic engined two-seater sports car called the Hundred at the October 1952 Motor Show at Earls Court in London. Initially price at £850, but soon reduced to £750. Sir Leonard Lord of Austin seeing the public reaction soon arranged to produce the Hundred at Longbridge.

This was the first car to be made under the British Motor Corporation (BMC) banner and became known thereafter as the Austin-Healey 100. (The factory designation was BN1). The BN2 was introduced in August 1955.

A successful competition soon history followed and in 1956 the engine size was increased to six-cylinders, becoming the 100 Six and by 1957 increased to 117 bhp. This had a four-seater body and was known as the BN4 by the factory and continued in production until 1959. A later two seat body was known as the BN6.

A small sports car, the Sprite, was introduced in 1958 and became extremely popular. Due to the position of the headlights high on the body this first version of the Sprite is known as the "Frog-Eyed Sprite". A Mk II Sprite was launched in 1962 with the lights in a more conventional position.

A larger version of the 100, the Austin-Healey 3000 was marketed from 1959 to 1968 in three versions.

In 1972 the agreement with Austin expired and was not renewed. The Healey name continued with The Jensen-Healey and the Sprite components continued as the MG Midget.

E-Mail: history@britishmm.co.uk