*The 'Big Healey' in its earliest and purest form *Equipped with the 'Le Mans' performance kit *Four-speed/overdrive transmission *BMIHT Certificate Following the Austin-Healey 100's sensational debut at the 1952 Motor Show, the works entered two mildly modified cars in the 1953 Le Mans 24-Hour Race, which finishing in 12th and 14th places, a highly praiseworthy achievement for what were recognisably production sports cars.

Accordingly, the name 'Le Mans' was chosen for a bolt-on tuning kit offered through Austin-Healey dealers, by means of which private owners could bring their cars up to a specification approaching that of the works entries.

The kit included a pair of 1¾" SU HD6 carburettors plus special inlet manifold and cold air box, high-lift camshaft, stronger valve springs and distributor with alternative ignition advance curve.

With the kit installed power increased from the standard 90 to 100bhp.

From August 1955 the conversion was available factory-fitted on the successo...