Before we leave the model descriptions a word about optional equipment is in order. Like any other car, Austin-Healeys were offered with several options. Some of these options are so common that they are almost regarded as standard equipment, while others are so rare that few owners are even aware that they exist. A few are worth highlighting here.
A wonderful Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive unit was fitted to the transmissions of all BN1 and BN2 Series cars as standard equipment. Beginning with the 100-6 Series BN4 in 1956, overdrive became an extra cost option. That said, the vast majority of big Healeys came with overdrive. It operates on third and fourth gears adding two ratios which produces six forward speeds. The overdrive increases driving flexibility tremendously. Today it is rare to find a big Healey that does not have the "optional" overdrive, and you should insist on it. It is so closely associated with the marque that a car almost isn't a big Healey without it!
Another optional extra closely associated with the big Healeys is wire wheels. Like the overdrive, wire wheels were standard on the 100, Series BN1 and BN2, but beginning with the 100-6 Series BN4 in 1956, wire wheels became an extra cost option. The wire wheels supplied with big Healeys from the beginning of production until 1961 were 48-spoke, painted wheels. From 1961 through the end of production they were 60-spoke, painted wheels. Note that chrome wire wheels were never a standard option (although in a very, very few rare instances, chrome wire wheels were supplied due to a customer special order).
