2023-06-28 10:32:03 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1956-austin-healey-bn2-100-le-mans-lhd-g2PE04

Seller's description:

1956 Austin Healey BN2 100 'Le Mans'

Colour Aston Martin Metal Green

Odometer 931 Miles

Engine size 2.6L

Seller Type Trade

Town Langeskov

Country Denmark

Meticulously restored to an exceedingly high standard

Equipped with the highly desirable 100 ‘Le Mans’ modification kit

We’re informed that in excess of €30,000 have been spent restoring the matching numbers engine alone

Beautifully presented inside, out and underneath

Finished in the very attractive Aston Martin Works Metal Green

The History and Paperwork

Said to be a matching numbers example

Left-hand drive

Danish registration and paperwork, which the vendor states is all in order

We’re informed that the car is accompanied by a sizeable collection of paperwork that relates to the various costs and jobs carried out during the restoration

Wears a “Le Mans modification kit” plaque under the bonnet

The Interior

Green upholstery - complementing the exterior

Restored to period correct specification

Presented in very fine order

As is the case with every aspect of this car, the interior has been very well and there’s a real sense of theatre to sitting behind the wheel with the roof down as the scenery rushes past you.

The green leather looks in really good order, with very little wear to be seen. The seats don’t appear to display any damage or signs of heavy use and the same can be said for the door cards. There’s no heavy wear to the carpeting, although it is perhaps a little marked and faded in places. The dashboard looks smart and so do all the instruments held within. We enjoy how there’s some light patina to the fascias and also the wood-rimmed steering wheel. We noticed what looked like some deterioration to the rear view mirror, but it still appears to be serviceable.

The Exterior 

Folding hood and tonneau cover present

‘Le Mans’ aerodynamic screen

Louvred bonnet with leather strap

Knock-off wire wheels

Smart bodywork numerous panels having been replaced

Aston Martin Works Metal Green

With its aerodynamic windscreen, loved bonnet, flowing lines and wire wheels, this Austin Healey looks every bit the racing car for the road. It looks fast, even standing still. 

The vendor informs us that lightweight aluminium doors have been fitted along with new fenders, floors and the boot lid. Aston Martin Works Metal Green completes the ensemble perfectly and the vendor informs us that it is almost flawless. All the bodywork looks straight too, with no corrosion to be seen. We’re assured that the underside is in really good order and the chassis was reportedly strengthened during the restoration.

It sits upon smart wire wheels which are wearing period correct blockley tyres. All the trims look great and the car is of course de-bumpered. We’ve not seen the folding hood or tonneau in place, although we’re informed that they were remanufactured during the restoration and remain in very good condition.

The Mechanics 

2.6-litre inline four

Twin SU carburettors

Four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive

Apparently matching numbers

The vendor states that over €30,000 have been spent restoring the engine alone

The vendor assures us that this is a matching numbers car, with the numerals on the engine and gearbox matching the chassis number and factory records. The engine has been comprehensively rebuilt to 100 ‘Le Mans’ specification and is said to run exceedingly well. The rebuild is said to have cost more than €30,000, for which invoices are apparently supplied.

The vendor comments that it drives impeccably, changes gear, selects overdrive and brakes exactly as it should. It presents really well under the bonnet and provides scintillating performance.