1955 Austin Healey 100M Le Mans racing car

[lotusgirlmarie]

Well this has been my project as of late considering it has been raining constantly in SF when I'm off and I haven't been able to make onay other progress on the valance project. Its my dad's car and had been in the family since new. Raced by the factory team for the first year of its existence with my grand da as one of the mechanics. Floor pan was all rusted out so I cut it out and welded in an all new one. Lots more has been done but I don't have any pics yet.

[Steve A]

It looks like it's in very safe hands,
more pictures please

[Dico]

WOW! Amazing car. Lucky girl, being able to work on it.

[lotusgirlmarie]

It's deffo a big project. So far the carbs are off and I'm rebuilding them and polishing them out, exhaust is out and being completely rebuilt, dash panel was out and stripped to bare aluminum then reupholstered in original black leather and is now back in the car, heater core is replaced, centre transmission shroud has been stripped to bare aluminum and all tears have been welded, new alloy fuel cell, all new and refurbed disc brakes (only standard on the early race cars and later on the production 3000's), all new and refurbed Lucas Le Mans main and auxiliary lamps, refurbed original steering wheel and all new upholstery which I'm finding I've been doing myself. The crackers part of this refurb is that if the original bolt is still good I'm cleaning them up and replating them rather than just throw them out and go new. I want to keep as much of the original bits as possible. Been a bit scary at times but, once done it will be a crackin' car with real race history in as close to OEM trim as possible.

As records show, for those who know, this was a pre production 100M raced by the factory just before the 100S debuted on the circuit. Then was sold on to a private teams along with the rest of the preproduction 100M's as the factory now wanted to support their 100S effort. The Works team then offerred a 100M upgrade to the public as either a factory car (640 built) or a kit (estimated 400+) as an option. This car was raced at Le Mans and other such events through the mid 50's then retired. It sat I'm my grand da's shop along with a few other retired cars like a 250GTO and a P3/4 among others, all from the NART racing team of which he was a mechanic. if anyone wondered why I like cars, this is what I grew up around.

[RayD]

That’ll keep you busy Marie!

Here’s one we made earlier ... albeit a 1966 3000.

Silverstone 1993.jpg

The second picture was stored next to the first so I thought I'd include it ... The parts were taken from a Mini just before part exchanging it for a Ford Escort. Apparently they are now worth about four times as much as I received for the whole car!

Lucas Flamethrower Lights.jpg

Ray

[lotusgirlmarie]

Wow!!! Good find!! I know about the cost. Both of the original flamethrower aux lights and one of the Le Mans headlights were beyond repair. All had to be sourced and yep. They're not cheap. All of the gauges are original and need some love too. This is a longterm gift to my dad. Funny enough this all started with a faulty brake light switch and it has since snowballed. The car was still running though it was in a sad state and after talking with my dad at length about it I decided the best thing I could do for him was a full on restore. The look on his face and the smile it gives him is well worth it. It's even making my mum happy. Although parts everywhere is a different story. She's getting the house painted and refurbed and the garage all cleaned out as well as new electrical for additional work lights.

[lotusgirlmarie]

Fully refurbed Girling rear brakes with integrated hand brake. Also just finished welding the rear section of the exhaust. Also refurbed the diff housing and built the new handbrake rods. Just need to do the brake lines now. I was also thinking that these calipers would be an awesome alternative to the hi specs. They're two piston with an external mechanical hand brake. Super cool and legal for use in the USA. http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/9139425@N0 ... 0/sizes/m/

[lotusgirlmarie]

Better shot of the rear brakes. Now after working with them for a bit, I really do like them for a rear brake alternative to the Elan setup. Two piston calipers with an integrated mechanical hand brake.

[texas2201]

That is stunning Marie - coming along nicely - excellent work as usual - makes me ashamed to be a cack handed useless
bloke

everything I touch goes wrong usually

[hotchalupa]

That car is absolutely gorgeous!