Spark S0804; Austin Healey 100; 1953 24h Le Mans 12th, Gatsonides & Lockett; RN34

The Austin-Healey 100 is a sports car that was built by Austin-Healey from 1953 until 1956. Based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals, it was developed by Donald Healey to be produced in-house by his small Healey car company in Warwick. Healey built a single Healey Hundred for the 1952 London Motor Show, and the design impressed Leonard Lord, managing director of Austin, who was looking for a replacement for the unsuccessful A90.

Built primarily for racing, the aluminium-bodied "100S" (for Sebring) model developed 132 bhp (98 kW) at 4700 rpm. Five works development/special test cars carrying the "SPL" chassis number prefix were developed during 1953 and 1954, with one winning its class at Sebring in 1954 and prompting the "S" designation. Only 50 production 100S cars were made, hand built by the Donald Healey Motor Company at Warwick, delivered between February and November 1955 and carrying the "AHS" chassis number prefix. To minimize weight and improve performance the cast iron cylinder head was replaced by a Weslake designed aluminium one, and the overdrive unit was not installed. Dunlop disc brakes were used all-round, the world's first production car to feature them both front and rear. To further lighten the vehicle, bumpers and hood (convertible top) were eliminated, the grille reduced in size, and the windscreen made of plastic. In all, weight was reduced by approximately 200 lb (91 kg). The majority of 100Ss were two-toned white with Lobelia Blue sides. A handful were produced in solid Spruce Green and red, and a single one in black.

An unrestored works racing team 1953 Austin-Healey '100S' Special Test Car that had been campaigned by factory drivers Lance Macklin, Gordon Wilkins and Marcel Becquart, sold for a world record £843,000 ($1,323,915) 1 December 2011, at Bonhams' December Sale. This car was involved in the 1955 Le Mans disaster, motor racing's most lethal crash—in which 84 people died and 120 were injured.

This resin model is by Spark, sourced from a private collection in July 2018.