How2Day: Austin-Healey 100-4 Valve Specs

Austin-Healey roadsters are considered by many to be the perfect car for backroad excursions. Pacific Coast Highway image by Billy Tait from Fotolia.com
Austin-Healey was a British car company that specialized in the manufacture of sports cars. The company only lasted for a brief period, as it was established in 1952 and dissolved in 1972, but its legend continued long after the company's demise. Austin-Healey's convertible sporting vehicles have become very popular among motoring enthusiasts. Among its popular models were the 100/4 lineup of four-cylinder roadsters.

The Austin-Healey four-cylinder 100/4 roadster was produced from 1953 to 1956 when it was replaced by the six-cylinder 100 model. The Austin Healey 100/4 was the relatively mass-produced base model version, while the 100/4M was a limited-production, high-performance model. The 100/4S was a race-prepared model that offered the most performance of the lineup while still being road-legal.

All variants of the Austin-Healey four-cylinder 100 were powered by a 2.7-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine constructed of an iron block and iron cylinder heads. The 100/4 mated its engine to a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive, while the 100/4M and 100/4S came equipped with a four-speed manual transmission employing a Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive system.

The 100/4's engine produces 90 hp at 4,000 rpm and 144 ft.-lb. of torque at 2,500 rpm, while the limited edition 100/4M is rated at 110 hp at 4,500 rpm and 160 ft.-lb. of torque at 2,500 rpm. The 100/4S racing model's four-cylinder engine generates 132 hp at 4,700 rpm and 168 ft.-lb. of torque at 2,500 rpm.

Austin-Healey's 100/4 and 100/4M were based around a steel body welded to a steel chassis. To decrease weight without sacrificing structural integrity, the 100/4S racing model's steel chassis was welded to an aluminum alloy body. In the British sporting tradition, these lightweight roadsters were based around a front-engine, rear-wheel drive architecture.

All variants of the 100/4 feature independent wishbone front suspension with coil springs, while the rear suspension duty is relegated to a live axle suspended by leaf springs. Braking duty is handled by a set of four drum brakes on the 100/4 and 100/4M models, while the racing-oriented 100/4S model implements a four-wheel disc brake system for its stopping duties.

The Austin-Healey 100/4 line of roadsters sits on a 90-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 151 inches and width of 60.5 inches. The 100/4 weighs 2,150 lbs., while the curb weight of the 100/4M is 2,385 lbs. The racing 100/4S model hits the scales at 2,115 lbs.

Austin=Healey's base model 100/4 has a maximum speed of 105 mph and a zero-to-60 mph time of 11 seconds, while the 100/4M has a top speed of 109 mph and reaches 60 mph in 9.5 seconds. The racing 100/4S variant is capable of reaching 120 mph and can reach 60 mph from a stop in just 7.8 seconds.

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