Beschreibung:

*Factory fitted 100M "Le Mans" kit *Upgraded four-speed manual transmission *Desirable competition upgrades *J.C. Kilburn Blackburn Stables provenance *Documented history from new *Period SCCA racer *Multiple-time Monterey Historic participant Following the Austin-Healey 100's sensational debut at the 1952 London Motor Show, the works entered two mildly modified cars in the 1953 Le Mans 24-Hours, bringing them home in 12th and 14th places, a highly praiseworthy achievement for what were recognizably production sports cars. Accordingly, the name 'Le Mans' was chosen for a bolt-on tuning kit offered through Austin-Healey dealers. 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 carburetors 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 1955, the conversion was available factory-fitted on the successor BN2 model in the form of the '100M'. In addition to the Le Mans kit the latter boasted high-compression pistons, stiffer front anti-roll bar and special Armstrong front dampers. Power increased to 110bhp and top speed, with windscreen folded flat, to within a whisker of 120mph. The number of BN1s converted by their owners is unknown, but 1,159 cars, mostly BN2s, were built or subsequently modified to 100M specification between 1955 and 1956. Of these, only 640 were completed at the factory, 544 of which were exported to the USA. Chassis # BN2-L/231026 was delivered to a US military officer by Donald Healey in Longbridge in the spring of 1956 as part of a "European Delivery Scheme". Its original trim was Ivory White over black with black interior and top. The new owner drove it around Europe while he was stationed in Gibraltar. He returned the car to Longbridge for shipping when he received transfer orders to the Presidio of San Francisco. At that time he requested the Le Mans upgrade package be added before the car was shipped to the USA. It is significant that this car was fitted with a factory 100M "LeMans" kit, the same as the Works entries had at LeMans in 1953; and this is a very important distinction among the ranks of 100/4 cars. This particular car was also upgraded in Longbridge per 100M specification to a 4-speed transmission, while retaining the factory 3rd and 4th gear overdrive, and fitted with a stronger BN2 4:11 rear axle and Girling 11" (279.4 mm) drum brakes all around. The car was also equipped with the trademark "louvered bonnet" and leather tie down straps and the "100 Lightening Bolt" grill marquee before leaving the UK. The shipping from Longbridge went "awry" and the car was caught up in US Customs after being mistakenly drop shipped to an East Coast port. When the car finally arrived in San Francisco with carrier damage, the owner refused delivery. It was at this point that the car was offered (at a favorable price) to privateer/racer J.C. Kilburn who had been awaiting delivery of an ordered 100M. The car had all the important 100M upgrades installed with the engine upgrade parts complete in the boot. The shipping damage to the boot lid appeared to be easily repairable when J.C. had a pre-delivery inspection carried out in San Francisco. It was delivered to J.C. in August 1956 with a new Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). J.C. painted the car to his trademark "Blackburn Stables" racing colors of black over red with double red racing stripes and immediately began his assault on the 1957 SCCA National Championship Series. Blackburn Stables/Corrigan Racing campaigned the car extensively and ultimately sold it to friend and occasional teammate, David Stewart in 1959. Stewart continued to campaign the car through the 1959, 1960 and 1961 SCCA seasons. In 1979, J.C. Kilburn had the opportunity to re-purchase this car and had it refurbished to his or