The fabled 100S, is one of the rarest and most highly sought after of all Austin-Healey sports cars. Donald Healey's stylish Austin-Healey 100 had caused a sensation when it debuted at the 1952 London Motor Show. Intended as a low-cost, high-performance, limited production sports car and aimed at the US market, which took almost 100% of production initially, the Austin-Healey 100 sourced its major components from the Austin Atlantic saloon. In fact, the car first appeared at Earls Court badged as a 'Healey Hundred' and was re-badged 'Austin-Healey' while still on its stand after Austin boss Leonard Lord bought the rights to the design. It was just as well that he did, for Healey would take over 3,000 orders during the show yet his company had never made more than 200 cars in a single year.

Lord had been happy to agree to supply Austin Atlantic components as the model had not been selling well in its intended market, the USA, and was scheduled for deletion. Low-revving and torquey, the Atlantic's 2,660cc four-cylinder engine produced an unremarkable 90bhp but when installed in the lighter and more streamlined Healey the result was a genuine 100mph-plus car.

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. Weighing 2,960lb and with a claimed 132bhp on tap from its tuned engine, the 100S was good for a top speed of around 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. Excluding prototypes, only 55 production versions were made, all being completed during 1955 and all with right-hand drive, most of which were despatched new to the USA. At most only 38 are believed to survive today.

During the 1950s the Austin-Healey 100S was the most accessible, most appealing and in many cases the most successful club-racing car available to any aspiring racing driver. This particularly appealing, and highly successful in period, Austin-Healey 100S is a shining example of the type. It has an outstanding record as a club-racing contender over a seven-year period from 1955 to 1962. It will be available at Bonhams Bond Street Sale on 4th December 2021.

The quintessential club racer