Performance Review: Austin-Healey 100 BN1 - [1953]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Austin-Healey 100 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Austin-Healey 100 BN1 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1953. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe.This particular Austin-Healey 100 has a 2660cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 100 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 100's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1025 kgs (2259 lbs) this makes the Austin-Healey 100 BN1 in the same weight category as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Austin-Healey 100 shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 2660cc 8V St4 engine produces 90 bhp (67 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Fiat 500 L TwinAir Turbo (103 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 150 lb-ft (203.3 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Austin-Healey 100 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1990 Audi Quattro 2.2T (112.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Austin-Healey 100.

The Austin-Healey 100 has a Power to weight ratio of 87.8 bhp per ton and 146.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1953 100 competing with the 1990 Audi Quattro 2.2T (112.8 bhp per ton) or the 1979 Peugeot 505 2.2 GTi Turbo (112.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Austin-Healey 100 generating around 146.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth (171.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet (171.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 13.2 secs, this made the Austin-Healey 100 BN1 as fast as the 1974 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.2 Sprint Ti (12.80 secs) the 1949 Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet (12.90 secs) the 1962 BMW 3200 CS Coupe (13.20 secs) the or the 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIII AN8 (13.30 secs). This Austin-Healey 100 BN1 is also faster than the 1949 Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet (12.90 secs) the 1962 BMW 3200 CS Coupe (13.20 secs) the 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIII AN8 (13.30 secs) the and the 1954 Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 (13.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 100 and the 1960 Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8

When talking about the performance of the Austin-Healey 100 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.52 secs @ 73.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1960 Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 (18.43 secs), the 1960 Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 (18.43 secs), and the 1989 Toyota Celica GT Four ST185 (18.43 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1953 version of the Austin-Healey 100 BN1 has a maximum speed of 108mph.

Top Speed of the 1953 100 equals the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1953 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 then how about the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph), the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (119 mph), or the 1985 Toyota MR2 Mk1 (119 mph).

Related Links:

1953 100 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Austin-Healey

Car Comparison