Details
1954 EX-JOHN CHATHAM AUSTIN-HEALEY '100M'
Registration No. SAL 75
Body No. 47813891
Engine No. 1B219083M
Red with black interior.
Engine: four cylinder, 2,723cc, approx 115bhp at 4,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual with overdrive on 3rd and 4th; Brakes: front discs, rear drums; Suspension: front, independent, coil springs, lever arm damper, rear, live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, lever shock absorbers. Right hand drive.
By 1954 the Austin-Healey 100 had achieved outstanding popularity in both home and overseas markets and yet there was very little success in international competition. Thus, the company decided to produce a more powerful and lightweight version of the standard BN2, not only for international events, but also in a limited edition to private owners. Following the success of the Healeys that ran at Sebring a batch of 55 competition 100S models were produced by the factory and in their much modified form proved to be extremely quick. Many owners of BN1 and 2 models were very impressed in the specification of the 100S and to cater for these clients a 'Le Mans' engine conversion kit was introduced based upon the engine specification that the 1953 Le Mans cars had ran. The conversion kit could be bought over the shelf and later was installed by the factory.
The 100M specification largely consisted of engine conversions such as twin 1¾ in SU carburettors, a larger inlet manifold and a new camshaft, special pistons were also fitted to raise the compression ratio to 8.1:1. The suspension was also strengthened using a larger anti roll bar and stiffer shock absorbers. Externally the 100M was easily identified by a louvered bonnet which was secured by a single leather strap.
SAL 75 started life as a standard 100/4 until purchased by the well known Healey tuner and racer John Chatham in 1960. He extensively modified the car (often through trial and error) over a four year period and had a tremdous amount of success with the car, winning the big Healey class of The Austin Healey Club Championship two years running and an outright Championship which had never previously been won by a big Healey. Amongst the modifications SAL 75 underwent were the fitting of front wheel discs, the Le Mans tuning kit, Hepolite pistons, a raised compression ratio, lightened flywheel, a reground crankshaft, a 3000 unit gearbox with overdrive and various different suspensions set ups. To the exterior John fitted a Le Mans type louvered bonnet and to assist the cooling fitted a pair of works type wings with the cooling vents (one story suggests these came off the Pat Moss 3000).
John Chatham sold the car around the end of 1964 and it passed into the present owners hands in 1980. A comprehensive restoration was started upon the car in 1990 and was completed in May 1993. Bills for this work amount to the region of (13,000. The vehicle has had very little use since this work was completed and conseqently is still in very fine condition. Whilst the car has not been prepared with competition in mind the engine has been bored out, new pistons fitted and we are informed it has the high compression head and high lift camshaft. SAL 75 retains her distinctive front wings, louvered bonnet and the front wheel disc brakes and comes with a Motolita steering wheel. Photographs of the car competing with John Chatham are often found in books on the Austin Healey marque. On a recent test drive the car performed faultlessly.
Registration No. SAL 75
Body No. 47813891
Engine No. 1B219083M
Red with black interior.
Engine: four cylinder, 2,723cc, approx 115bhp at 4,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual with overdrive on 3rd and 4th; Brakes: front discs, rear drums; Suspension: front, independent, coil springs, lever arm damper, rear, live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, lever shock absorbers. Right hand drive.
By 1954 the Austin-Healey 100 had achieved outstanding popularity in both home and overseas markets and yet there was very little success in international competition. Thus, the company decided to produce a more powerful and lightweight version of the standard BN2, not only for international events, but also in a limited edition to private owners. Following the success of the Healeys that ran at Sebring a batch of 55 competition 100S models were produced by the factory and in their much modified form proved to be extremely quick. Many owners of BN1 and 2 models were very impressed in the specification of the 100S and to cater for these clients a 'Le Mans' engine conversion kit was introduced based upon the engine specification that the 1953 Le Mans cars had ran. The conversion kit could be bought over the shelf and later was installed by the factory.
The 100M specification largely consisted of engine conversions such as twin 1¾ in SU carburettors, a larger inlet manifold and a new camshaft, special pistons were also fitted to raise the compression ratio to 8.1:1. The suspension was also strengthened using a larger anti roll bar and stiffer shock absorbers. Externally the 100M was easily identified by a louvered bonnet which was secured by a single leather strap.
SAL 75 started life as a standard 100/4 until purchased by the well known Healey tuner and racer John Chatham in 1960. He extensively modified the car (often through trial and error) over a four year period and had a tremdous amount of success with the car, winning the big Healey class of The Austin Healey Club Championship two years running and an outright Championship which had never previously been won by a big Healey. Amongst the modifications SAL 75 underwent were the fitting of front wheel discs, the Le Mans tuning kit, Hepolite pistons, a raised compression ratio, lightened flywheel, a reground crankshaft, a 3000 unit gearbox with overdrive and various different suspensions set ups. To the exterior John fitted a Le Mans type louvered bonnet and to assist the cooling fitted a pair of works type wings with the cooling vents (one story suggests these came off the Pat Moss 3000).
John Chatham sold the car around the end of 1964 and it passed into the present owners hands in 1980. A comprehensive restoration was started upon the car in 1990 and was completed in May 1993. Bills for this work amount to the region of (13,000. The vehicle has had very little use since this work was completed and conseqently is still in very fine condition. Whilst the car has not been prepared with competition in mind the engine has been bored out, new pistons fitted and we are informed it has the high compression head and high lift camshaft. SAL 75 retains her distinctive front wings, louvered bonnet and the front wheel disc brakes and comes with a Motolita steering wheel. Photographs of the car competing with John Chatham are often found in books on the Austin Healey marque. On a recent test drive the car performed faultlessly.