Taking a drive at speed in a 1959 Austin Healey 100-6. If you would like to see more about this car, here's a view under the hood and a walk around! • 1958 Austin Healey 100...
Me too!...I owned one during the summer of 1969...unforgettable sounds and performance!..At the time, I did not know much about cars in general, and certainly did not know that my 59 had only a 2600cc engine...I guess when the 3000 models came out (when? 1959-60?) that 3000 referred to the increase in cc up to nearly that number. The 100-6 model seen here, did not have those rather silly back seats that the 3000 models had. The Austin-Healey clearly was meant to be a 2-seater, but I guess there was a 2+2 trend going on back then. Once you have owned a Healey, it seems the experience stays in your mind forever! My favorite year would be the 1963 3000, referred to often as the Mark ll model...it had 136hp, and amazingly, roll-up windows, for the first time!...But even better, it retained that old-school dash, with those large, pretty gauges...I do not like the cockpit area that the last series (64-67) offered. I felt that Austin-Healey designers were sort of trying to make the interior more "American-like", with the wood-grain treatment, and the somewhat smaller Tach and Speedo gauges. Of course, those final-run Healeys did have the 150hp upgraded engines...but they somehow used a more muted-sounding exhaust--not nearly as enjoyable as the older style muffler system! If I owned a last-gen Healey, I would modify that exhaust, to get back that sweet exhaust note...IMO, only the XKE had a comparable "macho sounding" exhaust!...Those British had something special going, with their excellent-sounding sixes!
I think we hear a "scrunch" sound when this guy was shifting from 1st to 2nd...That possible flaw in the synchros can be forgiven--no choice really!. Part of the charm of those wonderful cars had to do with the questionable reliability issues that would crop up from time to time. Does anyone know if it was possible to raise that car's suspension up, just an inch or two? To me, that was always a worry. The excellent sounding muffler setup was so low, I would worry, just going over a painted crosswalk!! Those Healeys were a handful to negotiate a twisty road with...but really, the car was just a "kinda-sorta" true sports car...Like some women, its looks did not actually live up to it's perceived potential! I picked up a couple of ladies, back in my youth, while driving around Seattle...I quickly learned, that they were "digging" the car--not me! lol.
Thanks! These cars are amazing even today. So capable of operating comfortably at today's highway speeds and negotiating traffic. We actually drove this car on the back roads from the Carolinas to Amelia Island, FLA last year for the Concours d’Elegance @350 miles each way without any issues whatsoever.
Now that is a great sounding car. I worked in my brothers crash shop in the late 70s and got to move one of these beauties around. The customer said it was for sale and I fell in love but at the time it was not practical enough. Many years latter the Healey's have gone through the roof and I ended up with the poor mans Healey the MGA.
Nice to see and hear one of these beauties again. I had a '59 100-6, I paid $200 for in the early '70s. Due to the deteriorated material between the steel fenders and the aluminum body, and the dissimilar metals around the doors, it was very badly corroded. Drive train was fine, though. I don't know if there were changes on the '59 model, but it seems like the carburetors were on the passenger side in a cross flow configuration. It had no back seat. The batteries were under a hatch there, two six volts, though I don't remember whether it was a 6volt system or 12. Loved that car. The exhaust was a Stebro with the twin pipes exiting in front of the rear wheel. It had a top speed of about 90mph, and cornered like it was on rails. The corrosion got to the point of making it almost impossible for the passenger door to remain closed and I had to park it. The small town I lived in had no repair facilities for a car like that and I would have had to find a city that had a British car repair shop. It was eventually sold as a parts car to some collector. Mighty fine memories....
thanks for sharing the story. All Healeys had dual side draft carbs. However the '62 BT7 was fitted with three side draft carbs but were on the left side of the engine. I am not familiar with Healeys that had right side carbs.
Barry, I have kicked myself many times. Prices have gotten to the point of being out of the reach for entry level younger hobbiests. However, MGB prices and some others are a good way to get in at what I still consider bargain sports cars. We appreciate your interest and view!!!
I owned a 59 3000 with a built 289" Ford engine and Ford 4 speed. Spun the splines out of the wire wheels and installed 14" Buick rims..too light in the front and squirrely on mountain roads...😊
IMO...people trying to make this British cruiser into a one-off Cobra was pointless, really. I had a 66 Mustang convertible with the 289...that engine sounded great, after I put duals on it. But those classic Healeys sounded great, without modifications.
The Healy 100 and 3000 were incredible cars. Why anyone would even consider changing the engine to a 289 blows me away. Oh, I'm sorry you must be American.
I spent the first five years of my life riding around in the back of one of those it was a 1957. Now l have a BN1 and 2. Please get a camera mount, too nice of a car to be driving around with one hand. Cheers🇨🇦👍🍻
I was surprised how little wind noise there was when you held the camera above the windshield, one of the better Healey Drive videos I have seen. I hope you get more cars to drive. Cheers👍🇨🇦🍻
@@trevorparker8686 Yea I was surprised too. I had a foam encapsulating wind screen around the GoPro. I have also enhanced audio pro tools now for better audio settings. We'll be driving a lot more cars! Subscribe and turn on notifications. Got some domestic classics and some British classics to come. Super nice MG TF soon too! Thanks for viewing!
Love a TR-6 and I feel the Triumph 6cyl is a bit smoother. Check out the original TR6 I had!!! You'll have to scroll back into the videos. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xRNCy3FuFgA.html
I'm not so sure "You shouldn't let off on the gas to turn on the overdrive" is really important. I am referring to the word "shouldn't", as if there is a "CORRECT" way or "INCORRECT" way of using the overdrive. Decades ago, when a situation arose and there was another sports car beside me that wanted to "race" off a stop light, I activated the overdrive immediately when I changed to second gear. When the OD could overcome the engine torque, at perhaps some RPM like maybe 4,000, or beyond, the OD would engage and the car would lurch ahead. If the car beside me, .....was able to be beside me, or close .....it wasn't anymore😎 , and I would do a quick change to 3rd and disengage the OD simultaneously. This all happened over about 4 seconds. Lots of fun .....usually surprising whoever was beside me ....back in the day. I didn't bother with MG's, but TR6's were always fun to play with. .
@@taxicamel It's not about "correct" and "incorrect". It's about what works better. See ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-saZY4k8_Chw.html where Jay Leno demonstrates the better way to engage overdrive.
Yes they do!!! And electricly operated overdrive. But, often in older British cars and cars in general, many 1st gears were not and called a "crash box" transmission. You would have to come to a full stop, or double clutch for a 1st gear engagement.
@@classicperformance I remember doing that!...but in some situations, one could start out in 2nd gear. It is not a major irritant, as the overall driving experience was so enjoyable!
Sie haben Recht, der Overdrive wird eigentlich nur für Autobahngeschwindigkeiten über 80 km benötigt. Vielen Dank für Ihr Interesse aus Deutschland, JM!
Sorry, beim ersten Blick ganz nett der Wagen. Dennoch ist es beim zweiten Blick nicht mehr als ein Replik. Fast nichts mehr Original. Schande! Beckgurte nicht Original. Motor nicht Original. Bremsen nicht Original. Motor nicht Original. Persenning nicht Original. Armaturen rechts nicht Original. 😢
Whatever, dude. Does it really matter if it has been modified to better drivability? Check out my two MGAs with with 1800 MGB motors and one has an MGB OD trans and alternator if you really want to start crying! Wie auch immer, Alter. Spielt es wirklich eine Rolle, ob es für ein besseres Fahrverhalten modifiziert wurde? Schauen Sie sich meine beiden MGAs mit 1800-MGB-Motoren an, und einer hat ein MGB-OD-Getriebe und eine Lichtmaschine, wenn Sie wirklich anfangen wollen zu weinen!
Nice video old boy but whats with the nickers and flip-flops? When you drive a Sport Car you should wear mens clothes old Chap. At least look like a Driver when you climb in the Ruddy thing.
Ha Ha, John Wick. The drive was for demonstration sake and was bloody warm out. When we drive we always wear correct and even period correct attire!! of course.
We have upgraded since. Correct in that. This was shot a couple years ago. Things change and it's amazing how much better technology has gotten. See out latest uploads.
@EmilioSanchez These cars were intended for spirited driving styles. It is obvious to us, you have not ever driven in NYC, Northern New Jersey, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago or Los Angles here is the USA. You will see bad driving examples there. You might also be interested to learn that this car has not been fitted with seat belts, so our driver was not wearing a seat belt during this very fine demonstration.
@@classicperformance I am talking about your hands on the steering wheel. Like a mother… 😔. Crossing the arm into the wheel. Very bad. You dont know drive quickly an sport car
@@EmilioSanchez-jq9eb he’s working the camera while driving so we can come along for the ride. This isn’t final lap at Spa, it’s a demo drive from a guy steering and shifting with one hand so you can watch. Not sure what your problem is, but you complain a mother.
Of course you are correct, Emilio. "Look at me driving 60mph down a winding country road, using my cell phone, using my OD, no seat-belts, ......aren't I great ......just listen to that "MOTOR". Don't spend too much time with this chap and his toys. Laws, rules, safety, basic vehicle knowledge, are of no interest.
