1955 Austin-Healey 100S
- Engine
- 2.66L pushrod inline-four, aluminum Weslake cylinder head, 132 bhp
- Colour
- Spruce Green
The Austin-Healey 100S chassis AHS 3504 is the first production example of this rare hand-built aluminium-bodied racing model and the fourth car completed at the Healey Works in Warwick. It was delivered new to American actor and motorsport enthusiast Jackie Cooper at the 1955 Sebring 12 Hours, making it the only 100S finished in Cooper's personal Spruce Green livery. The car served as a development testbed for the upgraded Dunlop four-wheel disc brake system and retains several uniquely stamped brake components from that process. After decades of racing and a period of separation from its drivetrain, the car was reunited and fully restored by Fourintune Garage in 1990.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,012,000
- 1955 →Factory deliveryJackie Cooperfull documentation
Cooper took delivery at Sebring in early 1955; the car was built to his personal specifications including a unique green exterior and interior, a specific distributor, and omission of the standard dash plaque.
- 1976 → 1997Private saleBill Woodfull documentation
New England-based collector who initially acquired the drivetrain separately, then traded a motorcycle for the engineless bodyshell; reunited car and engine and commissioned a full restoration at Fourintune Garage in Wisconsin completed in 1990.
- 1997 → 2002Private saleTommaso Gelminipartial documentation
Italian owner who shipped the car to Italy and campaigned it in historic events including the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia Storica.
- 2002 → 2003Private saleJoe Hayespartial documentation
Chicago-based owner who repatriated the car to the United States after its time in Italy.
- 2003 → 2008Private saleBruce Earlepartial documentation
Pennsylvania owner who regularly campaigned the car in vintage racing events during his ownership.
- 2008 →Private saleWilliam Storypartial documentation
California-based owner; the car was featured in the 2009 Austin-Healey Club of America calendar during his tenure.
Competition
- 19551955 12 Hours of SebringDriver: Jackie Cooper42nd overall — electrical failure
Cooper co-drove with Roy Jackson-Moore; a wiring fault caused battery failure and Cooper pushed the car over a mile to the finish. They were on course for 7th overall and 2nd in class before the failure. Stirling Moss and Lance Macklin drove a factory-entered 100S in the same event.
- 1955Thompson RacewayDriver: Jackie Cooper
One of several regional events Cooper contested with the car in the same year as Sebring.
- 1955Edenvale Airport CircuitDriver: Jackie Cooper
Airport-based circuit race in Ontario, Canada, part of Cooper's 1955 campaign.
- 1955Beverly RaceDriver: Jackie Cooper
Race at Beverly, Massachusetts, one of several 1955 events Cooper entered with the car.
- 1955Watkins GlenDriver: Jackie Cooper
Cooper competed at the New York circuit as part of his 1955 season with the car.
- 1955Nassau Trophy RacesDriver: Jackie Cooper
Bahamas-based race meeting; final event of Cooper's documented 1955 campaign with the car.
- 19901990 Meadow Brook Hall ConcoursEntered for Peter Helck Trophy in Race Car Circle
First post-restoration public appearance; entered by Bill Wood shortly after the Fourintune Garage restoration was completed.
- 2001Targa Florio StoricaDriver: Tommaso Gelmini
Historic version of the Sicilian road event; contested while the car was based in Italy under Gelmini's ownership.
- 2001Mille Miglia StoricaDriver: Tommaso Gelmini
Car ran as entry number 174 in the historic recreation of the Italian road race.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1989RestorationFourintune Garage
A comprehensive and correct restoration was undertaken on the car, which was in a somewhat disassembled but largely complete state. The work included reuniting the body with its original drivetrain.
Located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin; the shop had experience restoring multiple examples of this model. Work was completed in 1990.
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