Decoding Healey Car Number Prefixes

[emgeetf]

I am sure this question has been asked and answered before. if so someone can Tell me how to access that discussion regarding the numbers assigned to Austin Healey cars so tat i can look it up.. what does BT 7 and Bj 7 and BJ 8 mean ? what do the numbers 7 and 8 represent ? Also is the BT in BT 7, BJ in BJ 7 and BJ in Bj 8 abbreviated for something else. Also Bn 4 and Bn 6 what do those numbers mean ?. All BN 4 and Bn 6 cars were not 2 seaters although the Bn 7 denotes the car is a 2 seater car. The 100/ 4 cars were also known as Bn 1 and Bn 2 models so are these all model numbers given by the factory which made these cars ? If is this a dumb question ? then you can forget about my question and my post. Thank you.

 

[Randy Forbes]

Here's some light reading to bring you up to speed:

Austin Healey 100/4 & 3000 Buyer's Guide & Model Overview (BN1-BJ8)

Thinking about buying a Healey? Click here to learn about all the different models, their benefits, drawbacks and the things to look out for when buying!

rawlesmotorsport.co.uk

Austin Healey Vehicle Identification | Moss Motors

mossmotors.com

 

[John Turney]

The B stands for an engine displacement between 2 and 3 liters. Sprites have engines between 948 cc and 1.5 liters, and are A series cars.
The N should stand for a 2-seat roadster, but that got mixed up with the BN4. T should indicate a "4"-seat roadster. The "4" indicates that the rear two seats are only suitable as a torture device for small children. The J indicates a convertible. With a roadster, the top is removed when stowed. With a convertible, the top is folded back and remains attached.
The numbers are the model numbers in numerical series going from 1 to 8.

The BN1 and BN2 are 100s, sometimes called 100-4, but the factory always called them 100s. There are two variations of these, the 100M which have the modifications that were on the Le Mons factory race cars. The other variation is the 100S are named after the Sebring race cars.

Only about four or five BN3s were made as design studies for inserting the 6-cyinder engine in the car. A couple of them have been found.

The BN4 is the first of the mass produced 100-6 models and has "4" seats. The BN6 is the two seat variation of the 100-6. These engines are 2.6 liters. 4-wheel drum brakes are standard, but 4-wheel disc brake were an option, and apparently, the factory made a few.

The BN7 is the 2-seat 3000, with 3- liter engine and front disc brakes. The BT7 is the "4"-seat version.

The BJ7 introduced roll-up windows and a convertible top. The dash is similar to the roadster dash.

The BJ8 has roil-up windows and convertible top, but the dash is now wood and the remainder of the interior is more plush than the BJ7. Other mods were made to make the car more "civilized", such as quieter exhaust.

 

[emgeetf]

Thank you John for you insightful answer. It now makes a little sense to me about the BT 7 and BJ 7 and BJ 8 numbering but i am still a little confused about the BN 4 Bn 6 numbering and prefixes since all Bn 4 and Bn 6 cars were not 2 seaters. Thank you

 

[Editor_Reid]

Thank you John for you insightful answer. It now makes a little sense to me about the BT 7 and BJ 7 and BJ 8 numbering but i am still a little confused about the BN 4 Bn 6 numbering and prefixes since all Bn 4 and Bn 6 cars were not 2 seaters. Thank you

"BN4" was a mistake. It should have been BT4 to indicate four seats. All BN4 cars are four-seaters, often called 2+ 2.

BN6 is correct as all BN6 cars were two-seaters.

 

[John Turney]

"BN4" was a mistake. It should have been BT4 to indicate four seats. All BN4 cars are four-seaters, often called 2+ 2.

BN6 is correct as all BN6 cars were two-seaters.

Donald Healey making a mistake - blasphemy!!

 

[Editor_Reid]

Donald Healey making a mistake - blasphemy!!

That wasn't Donald who assigned series numbers; that was BMC.

"BMC making a mistake = business as usual"
.