1955 Austin-Healey 100S
Ex-1955 Sebring 12h

Châssis no AHS3502
Moteur n° 1B222702
Boîte de vitesses n° 17437/2
2nd Austin-Healey 100s built of approx. 43 examples left worldwide

Born the fabled '100S', one of the rarest and most highly sought after of all Austin-Healey sports cars. The project that would culminate in the '100S' model began in 1953 when the factory began preparing the Austin-Healey 100 for competition. Dunlop disc brakes were one of the first important upgrades, followed in 1954 by the adoption of a Weslake-designed, 'single-port', aluminium cylinder head. Instead of the three-speed overdrive gearbox of the standard production model, the '100S' was fitted with the new C-series four-speed unit. Healey's body suppliers, Jensen, built the '100S' bodies in aluminium, the slightly different frontal treatment with its smaller oval radiator intake having been arrived at during development. There was no weather equipment, merely a low Perspex windscreen, while another of the model's distinctive features was its seats with their vertically slotted backs. A 20-gallon fuel tank filled the boot. With a claimed 132bhp on tap from the 2,660cc four-cylinder engine, the '100S' was good for a top speed of around 210km/h (130mph).

When a prototype driven by Lance Macklin and George Huntoon finished an excellent 3rd overall at the Sebring 12-Hour Race in March 1954, it seemed only logical that the competition version should be called the '100S'. The new car was premiered at the London Motor Show in October 1954 with deliveries commencing in February '55. Austin-Healey's contemporary advertising made much of the recent successful speed record attempt at Bonneville, Utah where a prototype had run for 24 hours, averaging 132.2mph. Excluding prototypes and 'Special Test Cars' to '100S' specification, only 50 production versions were made, all being completed during 1955 and all with right-hand drive, approximately 50 percent of which were despatched new to the USA.

Chassis number 'AHS3502' is the second of these 50 '100S' competition models built by the Donald Healey Motor Company. The car was dispatched on 10th February 1955 to the Austin distributor in New York, USA and sold to Robert H Fergus from Columbus, Ohio, a well know sports car competitor. 'AHS3502' was entered in the Sebring 12-Hour Race in March 1955 to be driven by Fergus, Harley B Watts and Sandy McPherson, carrying competitor number '41'.

However, the car hit a wall on the way to the event and did not make the start. Number '41' was then taken over by one of the reserves, another Austin-Healey 100 driven by Bill Milliken and Les Smalley, which failed to finish. 'AHS3502' subsequently competed in various races in the USA and at Nassau in the Bahamas during the 1955 season (see Lawrenceville race programme on file).

In 1958 the Healey was sold to Ralph Stevens of Maine, who undertook documented maintenance and repainted the car red in 1962, the recorded mileage at that time being 23,000. In 1968, 'AHS3502' was acquired by Stan Hallinan of Concorde, New Hampshire, who kept the car until 2007, during which period it was scarcely used.
In 2007, after being locked away for approximately 39 years in a shed, the car was purchased from Stan Hallinan by Craig Hillinger, owner of The Healey Werks in Lawton, Iowa. Hillinger promptly sold it on to Stanley Bauer of Los Angeles, the recorded mileage at this time (July 2007) being 28,467. On Stanley Bauer's behalf, leading Healey authority and restorer Steve Pike and one assistant from Marsh Classic Restorations (Australia) carried out a sympathetic refurbishment keeping all the original parts, repainted the car in factory Old English White and Lobelia Blue and re-commissioned it for road use. Completed in only 42 days at John Wilson's workshop, the Healey was then driven by Steve and Stanley to the latter's home in Beverly Hills, California.

Shortly after completion, 'AHS3502' featured as the cover car for 'Healey Northwest' magazine's December 2007 edition (copy on file). In March 2008, Stanley Bauer raced 'AHS3502' at the Phillip Island Historic Races in Melbourne, Australia and in May 2009 competed with it in the Mille Miglia in Italy. The car was shown at various events in the USA between 2007 and 2010
In November 2010, 'AHS3502' was sold to the previous owner in Switzerland, arriving there on 31st January 2011 (recorded mileage: 31,875). Since then the Healey has participated in various touring events in Europe, competed in the Mille Miglia again and also at the Walzenhausen Historic Hill Climb in Switzerland (both in 2013).

Sold to the current owner in 2014 it has participated in the 2015 - 2019 and 2020 Mille Miglia once again, The car also participated in the Tour Auto 2 times and several times at the Zoute Gp rally. The car never broke down and has been maintained by the highest standards.

One of the most original '100S' models surviving, this fully documented car retains its original engine, gearbox, 2.9:1 rear axle and aluminium body panels. Likewise original, the leather seats, instruments, cockpit surrounds, steering wheel and quick-release filler cap of this 56-year-old car are delightfully patinated.

The accompanying substantial history file (close inspection recommended) contains an original Austin-Healey 100S brochure; various specification sheets, technical drawings and a parts list; dynamometer printout (125.9 horsepower at 4,500rpm); old State of California Certificate of Title; shipping documents; assorted correspondence; FIVA Identity Card; and Swiss Carte Grise. In addition, there is vast quantity of photographs (on DVD) of 'AHS3502' prior to restoration, undergoing restoration, and participating in the aforementioned touring and competitive events. A substantial quantity of spare parts comes with the car to include a crankshaft, flywheel, camshaft, con-rods, pistons, valves and springs, timing chain, cooling fan and an exhaust manifold.

Geoffrey Healey has stated that in his opinion the '100S' handled better than any of the other big Austin-Healeys, thanks to its reduced weight (900kg), better balance and more refined suspension and brakes resulting from painstaking development. Although of limited rev range, the engine offered a broad spread of power and the '100S' remains one of the most rewarding to drive of all the competition-orientated Healeys. It is, of course, eligible for all the most prestigious historic motor sports events including Goodwood Revival, Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, Tour Auto, etc

The car comes with a significant spare parts list;

- The 2 original seats
- Tonneau cover
- 4 wire wheel rims
- Gasket sets, wheel bearrings, brake pads, ignition cables, brake discs, ...