1956 Austin-Healey 100M BN2 Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions – ending August 20 (Lot #158,848)

This 1956 Austin-Healey 100M BN2 roadster is one of 640 factory-built 100M “Le Mans” examples produced over a 10-month span and was completed on April 24, 1956, destined for the US market. It remained with one owner in California for 50 years and wears an older refurbishment that was performed prior to being acquired by the selling dealer in 2023. Power is provided by a 2.7-liter inline-four paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in black and red with a dark red soft top over a red interior. Equipment includes 15″ knock-off wire wheels, a tonneau cover, fender-mounted mirrors, side curtains, and bucket seats. This 100M is now offered by the selling dealer in Houston, Texas, with a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, spare parts, a tool kit, service records, literature, and a clean California title.

Originally Healey Blue and Ivory White, the car was repainted black and red as part of the refurbishment under prior ownership. It is shown above fitted with its removable, replacement dark red soft top and matching side curtains. Other styling includes a louvered hood secured with a leather tie-down strap as well as a tonneau cover, an adjustable windshield, fender-mounted mirrors, re-chromed bumpers with overriders, and a single exhaust outlet. The car retains a California black plate, and various paint imperfections are highlighted in the photo gallery below.

Silver-painted 15″ knock-off wire wheels were mounted with 165SR15 Michelin XZX tires in 2024, and braking is handled by drums at each corner. Work in 2024 included replacing the wheel cylinders, master cylinder and reservoir, brake shoes and hoses, and suspension rubbers.

The cabin has been refreshed from blue to red and features bucket seats, a passenger grab handle, and door pockets.

The banjo-style steering wheel frames Smiths instrumentation consisting of a 120-mph speedometer, a 6k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 1,250 miles, approximately 100 of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.

The 100M-specification 2.7L inline-four added larger carburetors, a cold air box, a higher-lift camshaft, and 8.1:1-compression pistons. Work performed by the selling dealer in 2024 included rebuilding the carburetors, overhauling the radiator, and replacing the:

• Fluids
• Filters
• Ignition wires
• Spark plugs
• Fuel pump
• Fuel sending unit
• Fuel hose
• Engine gaskets

Recent compression tests results can be viewed in the gallery.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate lists the build and despatch dates, the original colors, and the factory 100M specification.

A “by the numbers” composite provided by the selling dealer lists body number 13110, serial number BN2L232048, and engine number 1B232048M, the latter of which serves as the VIN on the California title.

Items accompanying the car include an owner’s handbook, a service manual, a tool kit, a jack, and spare parts.