JOHN DENNEHY’S 1956 AUSTIN-HEALEY 100M

John tells us that he’d been after a British OTS for some time, having missed the XK150S OTS he’d enjoyed in the UK many years ago. And while his thoughts may have remained on Jaguars, in 2015 an invitation from Mike Sexton to co-drive the 100S tribute car in the Modena Cento Ore across Italy, saw John shifting his allegiance towards an Austin-Healey.

“I was so impressed with the all-round performance and ‘use-ability’ of the Healey, that I resolved to pursue one when time and circumstances allowed,” he said. That opportunity arose early in 2022 when Mike Sexton asked if he was interested in buying his M-spec Austin-Healey – one of the project cars Mike had brought back with him from Australia and now fully restored.

A derivative of the BN series, the ‘M’ spec cars were either built by the factory or by dealers, and with enhanced performance had considerable appeal to club racers and enthusiasts alike.

“What interested me in particular about the car,” said John, “was the fact that Mike appeared to be some years ahead of what would soon become a common suite of upgrades on the early BN cars being offered in the UK, principally by Rawles Motorsport who dominate the Healey restoration market in the UK. The result is a car that is more responsive, more drivable in today’s conditions and, of course, with serious street presence.”

The upgrades to John’s BN2 include a fivespeed ‘box, higher compression M spec with 13/4-inch SUs, ‘cold air box’, front drums replaced with discs, magnetic trigger in the points, four-point harnesses, and a louvred bonnet. Importantly, every single part that has been removed has been preserved.

“I have owned and raced far too many classic cars for more years than I can recall, mostly early Astons as well as two 1980s ex-Le Mans Group C cars,” said John. “Currently I still campaign my long-owned 1987 Aston Martin V8 Zagato, although the process of the continuous (and totally unnecessary) compliance tug-of-war between Motor Sport NZ and LTNZ, is reaching the point where I may well send the car back to Europe where it can be used on road and track without the same mind-numbing bureaucratic overreach.”

In the meantime, John enjoys driving his gorgeous Healey.