Austin-Healey 100

The Austin-Healey 100 was born at the 1952 London Motor Show when Austin chairman Leonard Lord saw Donald Healey's prototype and struck a deal to build it. The car's name came from its ability to top 100 mph, powered by a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine from the Austin A90. Early BN1 models featured a 3-speed manual with overdrive, while the 1955 BN2 introduced a true 4-speed gearbox.

Collectors prize the 100 for its elemental driving experience and quintessential British roadster looks, complete with a signature fold-down windscreen. The model's success in racing cemented its legendary status, and today the factory-built 100M and the alloy-bodied 100S competition models are the most sought-after variants. These cars offer a direct connection between the driver and the road that's hard to find in modern vehicles.

The market for the Austin-Healey 100 is mature, with an average price of around $71,000 reflecting its status as a blue-chip classic. The enormous price range shows the vast difference in value between a BN1 project and a rare, concours-quality 100S with racing history. Condition and provenance are everything, and buyers pay significant premiums for well-documented, correct cars.

Prices range from $500 for project cars to $599,100 for rare, competition-spec examples.