MG B vs. TRIUMPH TR4A vs. AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 

I have owned all three of the cars you test drove, and I still own a 65 Healey 3000. I will say I think a MGB is a good car considering what they are valued at. I personally really like TR4'S but rust turns their bodies into junk. The Healey is a beast in comparison on all angles but the price can be triple of a MGB. So you get what you can afford. But there is nothing wrong with owning a early model MGB.

I owned a 2-seat, 1960, Mark 1 Austin Healey 3000. It came equipped with road-speed tires, Le Man headlights, and an AM/FM radio with a short-wave capability. I purchased it in Iceland in late 1959, drove it there for a month or so, and shipped it to the USA. I then drove it from NYC to northern Wisconsin in a terrible December snowstorm. While stationed in southern Illinois, I drove it to Texas and back. It was a wonderful car. I competed in one rally and displayed it in St Louis at a car show. During the 21 months that I owned this auto, I first met and then married my wife - she was her city’s centennial queen. I have a feeling that owning the Big Healey may have played a key role in winning the heart of my sweetheart.

A properly maintained standard MGB should be a pleasure to drive with a distinctive exhaust note. With some work it will be enough of a classic British sports car for anyone. It will remain easy to live with.

Had 3 MGB GT,s ,really felt great,fantastic exhaust note & flexible long stroke engine.

I always loved the look of the TR4.

It's the TR4 for me. Something about it always looked right. Here in Southern CA there's still a few of these cars on the road.

TR4 has amazing look and runs forever. I have owned one since 1983 and driven every year with only one tow in history. People look and just smile.

Had a 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 MKII BJ7, beautiful fun car. Bought it from a divorce, sold it in a divorce. Had a Spitfire for awhile, clever super fun car to drive. Now I have a early 1974 MGB, best car ever.

i love the Triumphs. I owned a 64 Spitfire, 71 Spitfire, 65 TR250 and many TR6's in the 70s keeping the best 76 TR6 for about 20 years and I miss that one even now.... Even with the Lucas Electric issues I miss the fun.

I just revisited this again and I still love that TR4A. Mine was a 67" IRS model in the same Midnight Blue paint as the car shown. The smile on your face says it all. I always wanted the Austin Healey but couldn't ever find one I could afford. The Triumph was just a bad ass car to drive.

Felt like I was in an Aston Martin driving my 67 MGB GT.

I'm a Grandpa. I'm a VET. I bought a '73 MGB, new. I used to drive it up & down, California 101. I was in the Army S/E of Monterey. My Wife + I, lived in the San Gabriel Valley-- near Pasadena. 101 had a few RED lights, going through Santa Barbara. The Freeway wasn't built through Pasadena yet. You had to drive across Pasadena, on Foothill.(more red lights) 101 got interesting N/of Ventura. One minute, you were cruising through Lettuce fields, then, ALL of a sudden you'd come around a corner, ... THERE was the BLUE PACIFIC !

Fro South Africa. This has been my dream car since I first saw it, at the age of 15 years, in 1958 Today I am 77 years old and it is still my dream car. BEAUTIFUL !!!!!! Thanks for the video. Regards

I had a (later) '77 MGB; my brother had a Triumph TR4A; and my other brother had an Austin Healey 3000. Great video. Brought back memories.

I enjoy driving my green '67 TR4A and have it serviced at "Basically British" in Brevard, NC. I had a green '62 TR4 in college which I bought in LA in 1966.

I owned a TR4a IRS with the surry top and it was brilliant. Drove to Silvestone and back in it from near Blackpool and my mate drove down in his XR3i and the TR held its own - it was just glorious. I used it as a daily and apart from replacing the clutch nothing went wrong with it. One of the few cars I have owned & wish I still had.

My very first car was a 1972 MGB Roadster, I still miss that car. It's been 35 years since I had that car. Hope to get another one in the future....

I bought a Tr4a/IRS in 1964 and loved every minute of the drive. I polished it once a month. I lived in Manhattan and parked it one night between a Jaguar and a Mercedes and it was stolen and never seen again. With a little practice I got very good at putting the convertible top up when it started to rain. It was my first car and I still dream about finding it parked in a mystery garage waiting to be my lover again.

I have always found the MGB much more fun to drive than the TR4, you can throw it around more and it feels more sporty. They are very similar on acceleration and top speed. I haven’t had the chance to own an Austin so can’t comment on that one.

Great video. And a lovely summer day in England. LOL

Had a 1967 MGB roadster, loved it!

Wow you spent a whole 60 seconds in the "lowly" b?

I bought an Austin Healey 100-6 as my first car for $900. Actually very reliable and tons of fun. I've owned a TR6 and a MGB also but there isn't any comparison to the beauty of a big Healey.

I had a 64 MGB when I was 19 in 1969. Sold it when I went into the Army in 1970. Bought a brand new Triumph GT6 in '71 when I got home from Vietnam. Paid cash saved while overseas. $3600.00. In 1972 I bought a '66 Austin Healey BJ8. I was 23. I sold the GT6 but kept the Healey. Now I am going to turn 72 and still driving my Healey. It was the best of the lot.

As a kid I lusted for and did finally own a Big Healey. Regrettably,now, selling after six years.The most remarkable car I have ever owned.

Owned the Big Healey (1965 BJ8), a 66 MGB and a 62 MG Midget. All three were exciting for a young man! But owning the Austin Healey 3000 was definitely a religious experience...

The way they fit a V8 is that it's the Rover Aluminum 215 cu in V8 that came from GM in 1962. It's a small lightweight V8 that fits with just a few mods in the 75 and later cars.

I had a TR4a IRS WHILE I WAS IN COLLEGE IN THE MID 1979’s. Thanks for the memory.

My first love was the 1954 Healey 100-4 BN-2 with overdrive, bought used in 1962 for $800. I had so many great times outside Austin Texas racing a buddy on a BSA 650 through the hills. Had to add a quart of oil every gas fill up until I had the engine rebuilt in 1963. Just got the tranny rebuilt in 1964 before the Lucas wiring shorted out at 3:00 a.m. and burned the entire baby. Sold for parts for $35. Now I'm in line for an Aptera.

This is going to be interesting seeing how this is exactly the debate I had 50 years ago when looking for my first car. Wanted the 4A but SETTLED for the MGB. The Healey was out of the question. To expensive and hard to find used as was the Triumph. Will be curious to watch this.

i "own" a mg b. it went from my grandpa to my father and now to me, i simply love it :) rly makes me happy driving that car its one of the few things that bring me and my dad together

The MGB got shorted here. Completely ignored was that it’s an overdrive car, and would’ve been as good on the highway as the Healy. I didn’t have an aftermarket exhaust like the TR which did’t make it “sporty feeling”. As near as I can tell these cars weren’t driven on roads where handling could actually be judged. I’ve driven all three of these, and currently own 2 MGB’s, a roadster and GT. Triumphs have a heavier feel, steering, clutch, driving experience. The big Healy has the heaviest feel of course, and is more oriented towards grand touring, and it’s fantastic for that. The MGB is physically lighter, has a lighter feel, handles as well or better, but is slightly slower than the TR4. The MGB excels as a all around driver, even a daily driver, testified to by it’s length of run compared to the other two. I’ve wondered if MG would have survived had they exported the MGB V8 to the V8 crazy USA., especially during the fuel crisis!

Nice video. My choice would be the TR. I've owned a MGB and still run a TR6. Great summer drive.

Very interesting video....thanks!

Awesome vid presentation...Wish your project of driving for a day be near me😃

Good honest video of three cars I love and have owned similar versions of. The MGB is simple, affordable, reliable and the three syncro box such as the car here is lovely to use. The TR4A has a great engine with much more power and is really fun to drive. Not quite as reliable as the B with lots of stuff that wears. The 6 cylinder Healey's just sound fantastic with an awesome shape(what's going on with the taillights on this car...?), excellent parts support too but they are really expensive now for good cars. Cheers!

I'd take the TR4A. Been wanting one for decades. I had grown up in the SCCA racing scene in central California in the late Fifties/early Sixties (my Dad raced). I remember watching these cars in action and I got to wander thru the pits and was able to get up-close and personal with many of them (who could resist putting an enthusiastic 3 or 4 year-old in the driver's seat for a picture?).

My Dad (before I was born) had a MG-TD, then (after I was born), a MG-A. My oldest brother had a New (from factory) '71 or '72 MG-B, I learned the finer points of shifting after practicing in a '64 Corvair convertible (we time and distance rallied in it). Finally I had a '72 MG-B that I had painted from a dark green to a British Racing Green like my brother was. ;-) If I could have afforded it I'd have the Healey 3K.

I once had two 3 liter Healeys, one, a triple carb B7, and the other for parts. My girlfriend had a '68 B8 in antique white that was like a mirage in the desert. The cars were great to drive and also great to look at. Pretty pricey nowadays.

Healy 3000 looks so good. Nice film, thanks.

Bought a 1967 Austin Healey 3000 off the show room floor. Total fun car to drive all through New England in all kinds of weather. Of course I wish I had never sold it. Today the daily driver I have to settle for is a 1980 911 SC Targa. Also fun.

I had an MGB but the rear axle hop over ripples was an annoyance, I fixed it by fitting horizontal shockers filled with EP90 grade diff oil.

I owned a 66 TR4A for several years. Had to sell it when the kids came along. It was BRG with wire wheels the good ole luggage rack on the trunk lid. Years later once the kids were gone I got a 72 TR6. It was fun but I liked the 4 better. I had to sell this one when we moved and I had no place to store it. I do wish I had kept though as we have an active British Car chapter nearby

I drove my 1973 MGB for 50,000 miles. Loved it!

The beauty of the MGb is they're so cheap and plentiful that you don't feel bad modifying them to make the performance match and exceed the tr and the Healey.

Nice review. Having owned two '67 E-type 2+2's (10 inches longer than the coupe) they have a superior highway ride. If I ever came to England, I would rent that car. The view of the hood from the driver's seat is the sweetest of any car on the road.

67 TR4A fun! rugged, the Tractor engine provided great torque. Handled well with TR 6 wheels & tires...72 MGB seating lower, slower, handled well. Not as elegant interior as the walnut triumph dash board. Always like the TR4A better. Also Triumph easier to work on. liked the exhaust header on the passenger side. Later put a stabro full flow exhaust system on her.. those four chromed outlet pipes jutting upward from under the rear bumper looked fantastic. When driving to pick up my girl she always knew I was on the way. The lovely exhaust drone and downshift burbles were pure delight. Sold that car when I left for service....

Drive faster and the rain won't be an issue.

As soon as you said MG made a V8 version I stopped your video to go look for videos of that instead. Haha! But I came back. The acceleration on the Healy was awesome!

I own a 1974 MGB but always dreamed about driving the Austin Healey 3000. The added power in a car that small must be amazing. As my MGB does not have overdrive (an available option) I avoid highway driving with those higher revs. I like the twisty turny roads more anyway. My B is LHD as well. Think a RHD on North American roads would be a pretty wild drive as well.

I like the HEALEY , I owned all three . my 3000 mk-3 kicked- ass. a fun video that brought back good memories .cr.

I’ve had a TR4a and currently have a Healey 3000 mark3 (BJ8). I’ve driven 4 cylinder MGBs and found them a bit under-powered, although they’re a lovely car overall. MyTR4a was a great car with good acceleration and the IRS really made a difference. The TR6 has the same IRS, but with a 6 cylinder 2.5l and the TR4a is actually slightly quicker. The gearbox in the 4a is a bit crude even when fully rebuilt. The Healey has a lot more grunt with slightly more wayward steering owing to a steering box vs rack. I just rebuilt my engine with some Dennis Welch racing internals and it pulls like a bastard to way past 100 MPH. They are a lot more expensive, but worth it if you can manage the cost. Note that there are less expensive 6 cylinder Healeys if you’re willing to forgo wind up windows and a wood dash. Best advice is to buy the best car you can afford and read at least a couple of books (see books by Bill Pilgott) BEFORE you buy. Fill your bookshelf before you fill your garage.

Btw the top is folded incorrectly on the MGB. You'll ruin it that way.

I read magazine article a while back of some guys who went on a european road trip in a 3000, and they tore the exhaust off at least 2 or 3 times on the trip due to the extremely low ground clearance.

Liked the sneaky little drive-through of St George's Hill :-)

I own a 1967 Triumph TR4A IRS here in Los Angeles. I have owned the car for 15 years now and it is restored. I have replaced the transmission with a Toyota 5 speed. The car shifts like butter and the motor likes it better at highway speeds. No more slave cylinders to worry about. I did have one fail on a long weekend vacation once and I had to have a new one to be shipped by FedEx. It is a part that is sold at Moss Motors and it is not a part the parts stores carry. I do love the design of the Austin Healey. I would love to drive one to compare. My favorite Austin Healey color is all blue with blue interior. My next car will be a 69-74 Porsche. As a kid growing up in the 60’s and 70’s I always wanted one. The prices of those cars are very expensive now. The MG’s and Triumph’s give the best bang for the buck if you are interested in buying a vintage British sports car.

The three best looking cars ever made on the Island of the Angels... Back when those fellas seemed to give a crap about it. Jaguar XKE convertible, actually maybe the best looking car ever made on the earth.. Austin Healey. Love those big Healeys! Personal favorite is the BJ-8 mark 3. Easier to live with, with roll up windows and a top that can be managed quickly. Triumph TR-6. This video was fun, and showed a nice range of roadsters. I think a better comparison would be the 3 cars I listed above.

The music played during the Austin Healey 3000 is one of my favorite piece from the 60s, but for the life of me I can remember the name of it.

MGB without the rubber bumpers US Gov made them have here, beautiful! Old Triumph the ultimate mans sports car, how do the Britts get 4’s and 6’s to sound so sweet! The Austin Healy, the beautiful Princess Kate of the 3! If I win the lottery, I’ll take all 3, a tweed jacket, a cup of tea and a Sherlock pipe!!! Maybe not the most dependable cars ever made, but I’ll argue some of the prettiest ever to hit the road!!!

I have owned a B, a TR6 and a 100/4 and 3000. Great cars. but I changed my mind the 1st time I drove an MGF. Handling, breaking, fuel consumption and HP were just better. Raced that car for 15 years and just recently got a 2002 MGTF 160 and had it chipped to 185hp with modification to get that 185hp. Out of all of them the 160 is the better sports car. I changed to Bilstiens, got the VHS package and it transformed the car. Now Mike Satur has developed an even better suspension so that goes on later this year. And they are not expensive to get. The soft top is easy to make water tight, they are warm, comfortable and my160 does 0 to 100kph in 6.9sec. I can daily drive the 160 and in an Australian summer, that AC switch is a welcome benefit.

I bought a 74 MGB new and love it madly until the catalytic converter exploded and formed a solid wire mesh stopper in the exhaust line,shut the car down completely, but oh the memories of driving long distances; nothing more fun in the world.

My dad has the healey and I have the triumph. Cool video

I like the Triumph tr4a

That Austin Healey is beautiful.

Cousin had. a Healey 3000, Mk3 , one of the last. I think , Reg no. Was. NLM 190E. , in red ! loved it !! :-)

I owned an Austin Healey Sprite and an MGB roadster back in the day, fun cars to drive. I later had a Porsche 944s and now have a Nissan 370z sport coupe. There's nothing like driving a classic two-seater sports car.

My first car was a 62’ TR4, in 1964. Paid $1000.00 US if memory serves me. The previous owner had burned holes in every piston by using low octane gas causing ignition ping. I rebuilt the engine by replacing the four wet cylinder sleeves with a kit that included piston, rings, and wrist pins. Each kit cost $38.00. In college I was able to grind the valves in a shop class I had at the time which brought the engine back to good running order. Four years later I bought a 1965 series 1 XKE roadster for $2500.00 US with 26,000 miles. The front end had been damaged in a low impact collision that just closed the air intake to the nose. I replaced the entire “bonnet” for $385.00 and had the entire car repainted white (original color). I found this was cheaper than having the bonnet bumped out. The bump shops thought I had money and were taking advantage of me. In reality, I was car poor back then. The story goes on and includes three Porsches with the 911 Carrara S4 being the end of the line. All said and done...the Jag was my favorite. Due to the terrible roads here in Michigan, I have sold the Porsche and now drive SUV’s.🙁

I owned the 1967 TR-4A with IRS and the Surrey Top (targa before there was a targa). The engine had been trick out with loads of goodies and would push the little beast upwards of 135 mph. The extra power did cause some drive-train problems mostly with the gearbox's counter shaft and gear cluster. 2nd rebuild solved the problem with some competition bearings. I've driven over 20 different MGB's and in my opinion, they just did not handle as well as the TR-4. The ride in the Healey did not compare to the TR-4 and with my power I was faster than the Healey. I preferred the TR-4 over my 1963 XK-E but it sure is fun coming out of 3rd and going into 4th at 118 mph. Final note on the MGB: If you get below a 1/4 tank of gas....you may be walking!

Awesome cars, all the 3

I had a 67 B for 10 years. A fun car and easy to work on.

I pick the TR4A, more advanced than the Austin, faster than the MG B. ......but, in the end, all outstanding automobiles.

Cuzz had a Mk 3 Healey 3000. 1967 model ,, loved it !! Reg was NLM 190E , in red , what a car :-)

Showdown should be MGC v Triumph TR5pi v Austin Healey 3000 mk2.

I have owned a '66 TR4A for 49 years. It's much more beefy than the MGB ( I also had an MGBGT for ten of those years - a little less draughty in the winter!) and more fun to drive. I've driven the Big Healy, but, while beautiful, it's a bit of a pig to drive, and comes from an earlier era, more like the similarily beautiful XK120. I'm still driving the 4A and loving it, although I now have a '96 Jag XK8 for the winter months!

These cars are all interesting but you will find that the bonnet will be up a lot of the time. The electrics are normally a disaster if they depend on Lucas parts. The MGB is a sleeper. It has to be tuned. It is able o sprint between bends and corners like it’s on rails. It would soon leave the others behind. There are different performance packs that can let it do its thing. All these cars are rusty... they need a lot of TLC and good restoration.

All are classic icons!

I've owned two MGB, GTs and now I'm gravitating more towards the Michelotti styling of the TR4 and its slower revving 2.1 liter engine.

Nice enough video as a fluff piece - no real info about any of the three cars. Much too quickly dismissive of the MGB which is a lot of fun to drive and with a firmer monocoque construction than a body on chassis it is much nicer through the twisties than the TR-4. The AH is gorgeous but again not as agile in curves, and it is hot inside - toasty toes.

Had a '63 MGB white over red _ Then saw a British racing green triumph in the used car lot of a Ford dealership that i had to have _ It was a '63 TR4A - So comparing the two the Triumph was the better driving experience, by far much more enjoyable _ Though i haven't had a Healey i am partial to the 100-6 models - Thanks for the eye candy. . . :>/

So mgc 6cyl vs gt6 6cyj vs Healey 2.6 6cyl that's the real fair match...

I bought a brand new 72 MGB Roadster back in 1972 after getting out of street racing muscle cars . It was fun for a year until I made a trip to Dallas on the interstate 20 . Should have taken the back roads instead , would have been a much better ride .

Probably since I owned a '56 Austin Healey 100-4, I would pick the Austin Healey. I loved that car!

Did I detect a snatch of the 'Theme from Exodus' while the Healey was being driven?

the seats in the triumph tr4a were probably from the tr6, the original seats didnt have headrests

What was going on with the Healey driver-side door? Was clearly not fitted correctly [was 'floating' around when filmed from behind the driver] and the side-on shot revealed it was really proud at the bottom of the door. [full of filler?] Had a rare MGBGT automatic and a 100/4 BN1 - enjoyed both for their different characteristics, but would have loved to have tried aTR4 despite the bad reputation for rust.

I have always loved the MG..AUTOS ie those from the early 50s..1954s G

The 1967 MGB was my second British sports car. My third British sports car was a 1970 Jaguar XKE convertible. Wait, what about the 1st British sports car, what was that? It was (drum roll please) the infamous 1963 MG Midget. Now you know the rest of the story. Muwahahahaha!

A word to Brit sports car owners who complain about rust. I bet your electrical system is the old "positive earth"; THAT is what actually attracts rust because of electrolysis. Convert to "negative earth" and your issues will be 99% solved .

Their comparison was done on similar or the same year they were produced. The MGC was not until 68, or 69 I believe, as was the Triumph TR6 I have owned 4 MGB’s and 1 Triumph TR6 and one TR7 (never cared for that car) I loved my TR6 biggest mistake I have ever made was selling it. I still have my 1980 MGB LE I love that car as well, it much cheaper to maintain, it gives me great pleasure driving it and is simply a fun car to own. But again, not in the same category as the others mentioned as far as sporty performance. Bottom line....they’re all fun cars.

Triumph all the way. Love the 4 own a 6.

Owned a new 1965 MGB in 1965, identical to the one here. Also years later had a TR4A of about the same vintage and a Healey 3000 of around 1965. Even with the solid rear axle and cart-springs the B handled well and I raced it from time to time on the track after a few engine mods to pump up the power - carbs, flowed cylinder head, camshaft and valve springs which worked nicely and gave appreciably more vooma! They were all good drives but overall I found the MGB the most useable all-rounder, not much slower than the TR in road use even in standard trim. The Healey was a bit of a truck but still nice albeit rather heavier on fuel consumption of course which became important after 1973 when the price of petrol skyrocketed!

I have owned the tree, and my choice will be the MGB.!!! The TR4, as problems (suspension and mechanics), and rusts.!! The AH 3000, doesn't make justice to its older, bigger engine, and "drinks" a lot more.!! The MGB, its the more "modern"of them, despite its solid rear axle, that actually works as a good stabiliser.!!! BUT, I wish I still have the three of them.!!!!!

I had a 66 tr4a irs in high school. Everyone wanted to drive it.

I owned a 68 TR4A IRS!

Beautiful car

Healey 3000 magic. Brings back memories

I have an Austin Healey 3000

3 fantasticos carros ingleses, mas para mim o verdadeiro roadster é o Triumph que conjuga aspecto,potencia e sonoridade com estilo e comportamento.

The Healy Mk II is a great road car!

They are all great cars...