Anybody know about Austin Healy’s?

[Quickstep192]

I saw a beauty, but don’t know too much about them.

If there’s someone here who’s knowledgeable and wouldn’t mind getting their brain picked, I’d sure appreciate it.

[Cajundaddy]

Certainly no expert but they are beautiful, fun to drive, and were built during the height of the British auto industry, primarily 1955-1965.

[lin7310948]

i sent you a private message.

[masraum]

I don't know a bunch. Are you talking about the big Healeys? The only models that I'm aware of are the sprites (bug eye) and the big healeys (100 and 3000). My dad had at least one bugeye sprite, and a '67 3000 before I was born.

From what I understand the big healeys had a problem with the footwells getting hot. I've read many articles in magazines that talked about the footwells getting really hot. I'd love to have one of the big healeys.

[vonsmog]

I have owned 6 big healey's and two sprites, what do you want to know?

[astrochex]

When I was a kid, my friend across the streets older brother had a beat up 3000, I don't recall if it ran. I do think the big Healey's are beautiful cars.

[speeder]

Nice looking sports cars but a heavy cast iron motor in the 6-cylinder big Healy.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

I have owned 6 big healey's and two sprites, what do you want to know?

How do they drive? Fun or do they feel like a truck? Weak spots? Do they melt the soles of your shoes?

I believe parts availability isn't too bad, right?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by speeder

Nice looking sports cars but a heavy cast iron motor in the 6-cylinder big Healy.

And, you'd think that given the choice between a 4 and a 6, the 6 would be more peppy. My dad said his was reasonably fast. I remember him talking about it having some sort of overdrive setup that sounded unusual.

[recycled sixtie]

The last time I test drove an Austin Healey was back in the early 1970's. It was a used Healey with a six cylinder engine. It had a rust hole the size of a quarter behind the rear window. Having said that, it was fun to drive. Great manual transmission but needed a heavy push on the clutch to shift the gears. Great exhaust and engine sound.

Yes very prone to rust so a thorough inspection underneath and above is needed. So I turned it down due rust and bought a 1958 Triumph TR3A instead. The latter lasted a couple of years before rust set in.

[porsche930dude]

I have a grill and windshield if you need it. My friend had one in the 80s driving down the long island expressway the carbs leaked and filled the frame rail with gas and it burnt to the ground. Mgs are made the same way. Got to carry an extinguisher I guess.

[lin7310948]

most of the ones ive owned were modified with chev or ford small blook engines.

[vonsmog]

Originally Posted by masraum

How do they drive? Fun or do they feel like a truck? Weak spots? Do they melt the soles of your shoes?

I believe parts availability isn't too bad, right?

they were a blast when I was a kid, got my first one when I was 15 and had to get it up and running. Drove it in high school and then in college. The wire wheels are a bit flexy when taking tight curves. I cut up a few for parts to keep the other ones running. I picked up a 100M exfactory race car out of a field with a 289 out of a Cobra and the front end of the Cobra on the Healey. Got a hold of the original motor and rebuilt it and was about to restore it. Then sold it to buy another Porsche 911.

[LWJ]

A big Healey is on my very short list. A good friend has one. Looks like pure sex. Drives better than it should.

[t6dpilot]

Healey's have been in our family for over 40 years. Factory 100M, 3000, a real 100S, and now a modified '55 100. Current car received a frame off restoration with new aluminum body parts from Healey experts Forintune. Higher compression ratio engine, Supra 5 speed, American racing mags, 100S windscreen and some other cool bits. Super fun to drive.

Going to be for sale soon if you are interested. Likely will list on BaT.

[Steve Carlton]

Should it be Austin Healies?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by masraum

And, you'd think that given the choice between a 4 and a 6, the 6 would be more peppy. My dad said his was reasonably fast. I remember him talking about it having some sort of overdrive setup that sounded unusual.

I’m sure that the 6 had more power than the 4-cylinder but at the expense of weight over the front wheels, the last thing you want in a sports car.

Overdrives were an option on most Brit sports cars back in the day because of the way they were geared to take maximum advantage of small engines made them buzzy on the highway. It’s a very desirable feature in these modern times.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by speeder

I’m sure that the 6 had more power than the 4-cylinder but at the expense of weight over the front wheels, the last thing you want in a sports car.

Overdrives were an option on most Brit sports cars back in the day because of the way they were geared to take maximum advantage of small engines made them buzzy on the highway. It’s a very desirable feature in these modern times.

Yep, what this thread discusses is basically what I remember my dad saying.

OD is a separate thing from the transmission (not just an extra gear or two) and is operated by a switch.

And, the car had a 4 speed, but the OD could be engaged in 3rd or 4th gear essentially turning the car into a 6 speed.

https://www.ahexp.com/forum/the-3000-forum.3/how-do-you-drive-your-overdrive.233194/

[rfuerst911sc]

I think a Healey 3000 with a Toyota straight six would be a fun ride . They are a sexy car for sure .

[Alan A]

There were a ton of kit versions of them using mustang parts back in the 90s.
Get one of those before you butcher an original.