my favorite car I have ever driven was an Austin Healey 100-M. it was so loud and buzzy and the car felt so unbelievably raw. I’ve driven some pretty special cars in my day and nothing made me smile ear-to-ear as much as that car did. the attention it drew was also insane
This thing is so cool, from the drilled steering wheel with turn signal stalk to the g70 esque grill lol to the reverse dog leg transmission, this is one of the coolest car I never knew about haha
Character isn't derived from the number of cylinders. There are 2,3,4,5,6 8,10,12 cylinder engines over all shapes and sizes. Some have a certain character, some don't.
@@another3997 You're correct, engines come in many shapes and sizes and with many configurations, and each one has its own character, which is not only determined by the number of cylinders but many other factors that I'm sure you know better than I do. I was just observing that some people consider four cylinder engines to be cheap and soulless and prefer a "V8 MOTOR!", while some four cylinders are very enjoyable and playful, just different. As a car enthusiast, I enjoy any engine configuration as long as it comes in a good platform and gives the car a distinct character.
I had a 55 in 1972 in Portland Oregon. There's no need to clutch when using the overdrive. The overdrive worked only in 2nd and 3rd gears, and I discovered some sort of switch that made that happen. I bypassed the switch, and discovered that the overdrive worked in all 3 gears and reverse too. Teehee! It was really handy driving downtown, never having to shift out of 1st gear, just stay in 1st and hit the overdrive for a low second or high first gear. I used to go to the Eastmoreland Golf Course parking lot at night when it was empty, and go in reverse and then hit the overdrive. Haha that was too much fun!
@@darrellgrant7615 Yes, it will break down, but 1950s British cars were generally as reliable as any other country's cars of the era, if not more so. It was mostly tried and tested technology, sometimes sprinkled with a bit of innovation. Fast forward to the '70s and that's when British cars really started their huge decline in reliability compared to the competition. We had a lot of social and economic problems in the 1970s, and we somehow forgot how to keep up. 😂
Awesome! I share your excitement for this one as well. The big Healey's are just fantastic, and the 100 is something very special, because they're so basic. What a treasure. Thanks for driving it "for real" because the torque of that big flywheel and crankshaft, is legit, and really makes the car outstanding.
You're not supposed to take your foot off the gas when hitting the overdrive. The engine and tranny came from a truck , which is why the gear pattern is weird . First was blocked off so that what you really have is 2d, 3d and 4th . 1st would have been too low , as the engine is so torquey, being a truck . That's a really pretty example. I never noticed that, in this earliest of models, the gearshift comes out of the floor, instead of the hump. About the "big Healey" name, it's not taken from the Sprite. It came first, the Sprite didnt come out 'till '58. It was later that this one became a "big Healey".
This car provokes a strange resonance in my memory. I'm from Waltham, and curiously enough, I worked at High Performance Cars on Linden St. (directly across the street from where the Bond Group is) in Waltham, in an after school job while I was in High School in the mid 60s. Among various cars parked out front, (which BTW, included various Loti and a Marcos 1800GT (Which was the R&T road test car) was an Austin Healy 100 which I remember was cream colored. It needed work but it was in my (very low) price range, but, alas, it never happened. There is a possibility that this car might be the same one.
Wonderful video that brings back fond memories. Had a red '63 3000 in my 20's (roll up windows) when prices were low in CA. Nothing like it, the soundtrack from the straight 6 was amazing, and no one knew what it was. I found endless excuses to drive it numerous times a day. Did not know about clutching for the electric overdrive (I never did) but did have to double clutch due to no synchro. Mine was very reliable. Sold it to pay college loans and had zero idea that values would climb like they have. After having many high-performance cars over the years, it remains my favorite to drive.
Really cool vehicle, I like the silver metal dashboard. There's just something about red paint with silver/chrome details that works on any car, whether it be a 80 y/o or a brand new one.
my god!! what a symphony to hear 🥰😊🎼.. lately i find myself leaning more To very old classic engines. they have a nice enjoyable sound. it's pleasing to hear. thank you Ted for you always enjoyable videos ❤
I’m much more into this type of car for a fun weekender, sunny day car. Cars nowadays are not really about grace, elegance, or free spirit. This Austin-Healey just has so much charm to it even though it isn’t the fastest, most comfortable, most luxurious, etc. but man does it look fun.
Quite the beauty there! We have a closely related sibling that is 10 years newer, a Triumph Spitfire Mk II. About the same color, sounds almost identical to the Healey 100, 4 speed manual (no overdrive in ours though), and an absolute joy to drive! The positive ground electrical system is different to work on, but at least it's simple. Love the old British roadsters!
A Spitfire was in a much lower class than these Healys. They had about half the displacement, 11470cc compared to 2660 for the 100/4. Spitfires never had the solid feeling that is mentioned in this video. they were pretty flimsy.
The Triumph Spitfire was also a much later car, and it came with several engine sizes during its lifetime, up to 1500cc. It was designed to compete with the small Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite and it's MG cousins.
What a beautiful example 🥰 . I’ve always preferred the 100/4 to the 3000. The lines are perfect and it’s so honest. Pretty certain they were actually quicker too.
That gearbox is from an Austin sedan and actually is a four speed. The first gear is blocked out in the transmission for the Healey cars because it has a super low ratio that was unnecessary in the sports car. So, in actuality, you’re starting in second gear with the Healey.
That happened in the late '60s and mainly throughout the '70s. A decade of major social, political and economic problems. We got overly complacent and failed to adapt, and a lot of British industry never really recovered. We never completely lost the requisite engineering abilities, they were stifled by bad management and financial constraints.
Road and Track once commented on a brand new Austin Healy road test that the build quality was so bad that the upholstery was practically hanging unto the showroom floor. They loved the car anyway.
I had a 1967 Elan that I bought in 1974 for $2400. I loved that car, it was positively insane. Before I bough my first Lotus (a Cortina) I used to say they were so unreliable that you needed a friend with a pickup truck to drive behind you to gatheer up the pieces that fell off. Owning one ( three actually) didn't change my opinion but I did think it was worth it.😍
it's not just Vintage tires that are getting hard to find. apparently, manufacturers have stopped making anything but the 20 inch rubber bands modern vehicles use.
An awful lot of modern vehicles have small wheels,14 to 16 inch are very common. Tyre manufacturers make lots of suitable hoops, and 20 inch wheels are still considered large. Of course, the USA is the land of "bigger is better", so they only have themselves to blame if manufacturers don't ctually market them there. 😂
@@another3997 more like "bigger is mandatory" nowadays. hell, the US EPA changed the rules to make fuel consumption based on wheelbase length, and anything smaller than a US pre 77 full size now has to get 2 stroke motorcycle consumption MINIMUM. and I think all the rubber band tires and wheels are under the safety protocols for handling.
A dream of a roadster, but that engine is all-iron and far from light. It's grunty, though - armfuls of torque that make a picnic of just three speeds.
I tried to buy a 1955 100/4 in 1961 or 1962 after selling my 1949 Ford. The price was $300. My parents would not let me buy it because I was 17 and no one would sell me insurance. Instead I bought a 1950 Chevy coupe with a 1958 V8 stuffed in it. The insurance company didn't look at it. I just checked Bring-a-Trailer and the average price for a 100/4 2024 is over $90,000! What I noticed immediately about the car tested was that awful steering wheel. I've noticed similar grotesque wheels on other 1950s vintage British cars. Someone needs to make a replica wheel out of Black Bakelite with wire spokes for these cars.
Can you leave the OD engaged shifting from 2 to 3, and 3 to 2? Then it is like a 5 speed. The stance at the rear is noticeably lower. Is that normal or a trick of the camera angle?
I’ve had two cars with that overdrive, can say you only need to clutch, or even lift off the gas, for smoothness. And allegedly I can drive for three days straight flat out in OD at 80-100+mph, allegedly
It essentialy provides an additional "gear", and is electrically operated. It was an available option and would replace the normal tailshaft housing of the transmission with the overdrive unit. On something like my Spitfire, it drops the RPM down about 500-600 RPM. There's an inhibitor circuit that is supposed to prevent overdrive operation in reverse, 1st, and 2nd gear on the 4 speed transmissions (1st and reverse on the 3 speeds like this Healey).
The steering wheel is properly mounted with one spoke at 12 o'clock, allowing for unobstructed view of the gauges. A "Y" orientation would obstruct view.
I think it's more appropriate to call a 6cyl a 100-6 vs calling out the engine in the 4 cylinder. Every auction listing on BAT calls them out just as AH 100 and the 6cyls as AH 100-6
@@TedwardDrives I see, makes sense. I think you’d love the 100-6 with the extra horsepower bump but you’ve driven a 3000, so close enough. It’s nice that you are showcasing these classics. Most have never heard of them!
I'm really curious how the 100-6 feels in comparison to this and the 3000. If it feels as bulky (relative) as the 3000 I think I'll still prefer this little guy. This 100-4 is pure charm
You kids are so funny...."it's so bizarre they call it the Big Healey". LOL, of course it's the Big Healey. Haven't you ever seen a Sprite? All cars, especially British cars, were much smaller than today's behemoths.
More 50s cars!!! God I would love to see a pre war on here aswell!!
@@onesandzeroes wdym maybe not??? Pre wars and 50s cars are awesome
my favorite car I have ever driven was an Austin Healey 100-M. it was so loud and buzzy and the car felt so unbelievably raw. I’ve driven some pretty special cars in my day and nothing made me smile ear-to-ear as much as that car did. the attention it drew was also insane
This thing is so cool, from the drilled steering wheel with turn signal stalk to the g70 esque grill lol to the reverse dog leg transmission, this is one of the coolest car I never knew about haha
Some 4 cylinder engines really do have some character, I love the way it sounds
Character isn't derived from the number of cylinders. There are 2,3,4,5,6 8,10,12 cylinder engines over all shapes and sizes. Some have a certain character, some don't.
@@another3997 You're correct, engines come in many shapes and sizes and with many configurations, and each one has its own character, which is not only determined by the number of cylinders but many other factors that I'm sure you know better than I do. I was just observing that some people consider four cylinder engines to be cheap and soulless and prefer a "V8 MOTOR!", while some four cylinders are very enjoyable and playful, just different. As a car enthusiast, I enjoy any engine configuration as long as it comes in a good platform and gives the car a distinct character.
I had a 55 in 1972 in Portland Oregon. There's no need to clutch when using the overdrive. The overdrive worked only in 2nd and 3rd gears, and I discovered some sort of switch that made that happen. I bypassed the switch, and discovered that the overdrive worked in all 3 gears and reverse too. Teehee! It was really handy driving downtown, never having to shift out of 1st gear, just stay in 1st and hit the overdrive for a low second or high first gear. I used to go to the Eastmoreland Golf Course parking lot at night when it was empty, and go in reverse and then hit the overdrive. Haha that was too much fun!
You need driving gloves for that! It's too british for bare hands
and a long wooden pipe to smoke
If it’s British you need plastic gloves so you don’t get them covered in dirt when it inevitably breaks down…..
@@darrellgrant7615 Yes, it will break down, but 1950s British cars were generally as reliable as any other country's cars of the era, if not more so. It was mostly tried and tested technology, sometimes sprinkled with a bit of innovation. Fast forward to the '70s and that's when British cars really started their huge decline in reliability compared to the competition. We had a lot of social and economic problems in the 1970s, and we somehow forgot how to keep up. 😂
Couldn't agree more, 50s British Roadsters are the epitome of motoring!
Man it sounds great! Haven’t heard a Healey yet that didn’t sound wonderful ❤
I've never heard a bad carburated four cylinder, this is such a cool and interesting car
Lovely little gem of a car. I really prefer this era of cars even though I was not even alive when they were produced. ❤
same!
I love British roadsters so much, this thing looks so much fun
Awesome! I share your excitement for this one as well. The big Healey's are just fantastic, and the 100 is something very special, because they're so basic. What a treasure. Thanks for driving it "for real" because the torque of that big flywheel and crankshaft, is legit, and really makes the car outstanding.
You're not supposed to take your foot off the gas when hitting the overdrive. The engine and tranny came from a truck , which is why the gear pattern is weird . First was blocked off so that what you really have is 2d, 3d and 4th . 1st would have been too low , as the engine is so torquey, being a truck . That's a really pretty example. I never noticed that, in this earliest of models, the gearshift comes out of the floor, instead of the hump. About the "big Healey" name, it's not taken from the Sprite. It came first, the Sprite didnt come out 'till '58. It was later that this one became a "big Healey".
Regarding the Gear pattern, you must see the Citroen Traction Avant. Also reverse pattern, but lever in the dashboard.
1960s vintage Fiats had 4 speeds with column shift.
This car provokes a strange resonance in my memory. I'm from Waltham, and curiously enough, I worked at High Performance Cars on Linden St. (directly across the street from where the Bond Group is) in Waltham, in an after school job while I was in High School in the mid 60s.
Among various cars parked out front, (which BTW, included various Loti and a Marcos 1800GT (Which was the R&T road test car) was an Austin Healy 100 which I remember was cream colored. It needed work but it was in my (very low) price range, but, alas, it never happened. There is a possibility that this car might be the same one.
Always a pleasure when Ted drops a video. Especially with a beautiful classic
Lovely Healey, woodrim wheel, tonneau cover and roads it was designed for. Super video!
Wonderful video that brings back fond memories. Had a red '63 3000 in my 20's (roll up windows) when prices were low in CA. Nothing like it, the soundtrack from the straight 6 was amazing, and no one knew what it was. I found endless excuses to drive it numerous times a day. Did not know about clutching for the electric overdrive (I never did) but did have to double clutch due to no synchro. Mine was very reliable. Sold it to pay college loans and had zero idea that values would climb like they have. After having many high-performance cars over the years, it remains my favorite to drive.
With the screen up it kinda reminds me of what it's like to drive my NA Miata.
Looks Beautiful, sound delightful and seems like a lot of fun to drive.
definetly an automotive gem 😌
that is not slow, looks fun
It may look slow in the video. It feels so much faster when you are in one with how small it is and how low to the ground you are!
What a sweet machine; as raw as it gets!
Really cool vehicle, I like the silver metal dashboard. There's just something about red paint with silver/chrome details that works on any car, whether it be a 80 y/o or a brand new one.
Beautiful, Beautiful car !!!
You are Lucky guy !
my god!! what a symphony to hear 🥰😊🎼.. lately i find myself leaning more To very old classic engines. they have a nice enjoyable sound. it's pleasing to hear.
thank you Ted for you always enjoyable videos ❤
I’m much more into this type of car for a fun weekender, sunny day car. Cars nowadays are not really about grace, elegance, or free spirit. This Austin-Healey just has so much charm to it even though it isn’t the fastest, most comfortable, most luxurious, etc. but man does it look fun.
Quite the beauty there! We have a closely related sibling that is 10 years newer, a Triumph Spitfire Mk II. About the same color, sounds almost identical to the Healey 100, 4 speed manual (no overdrive in ours though), and an absolute joy to drive! The positive ground electrical system is different to work on, but at least it's simple. Love the old British roadsters!
A Spitfire was in a much lower class than these Healys. They had about half the displacement, 11470cc compared to 2660 for the 100/4. Spitfires never had the solid feeling that is mentioned in this video. they were pretty flimsy.
The Triumph Spitfire was also a much later car, and it came with several engine sizes during its lifetime, up to 1500cc. It was designed to compete with the small Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite and it's MG cousins.
What a beautiful example 🥰 . I’ve always preferred the 100/4 to the 3000. The lines are perfect and it’s so honest. Pretty certain they were actually quicker too.
They weren't quicker.
I had a 300 hp 327 Corvette engine in mine…never lost a race…still miss it!
Intoxicating mechanical music 💓
Such a great vehicle 😊
That gearbox is from an Austin sedan and actually is a four speed. The first gear is blocked out in the transmission for the Healey cars because it has a super low ratio that was unnecessary in the sports car. So, in actuality, you’re starting in second gear with the Healey.
The Citroën HY has/had the same gear positions 😉 though reverse was opposite first.
Beautiful. Ty!
Man I envy y’all’s B Roads up there! My little Fiesta ST here Dallas TX feels so out of place!
When Britain built decent cars
Before the rest of the world overtook us?
That happened in the late '60s and mainly throughout the '70s. A decade of major social, political and economic problems. We got overly complacent and failed to adapt, and a lot of British industry never really recovered. We never completely lost the requisite engineering abilities, they were stifled by bad management and financial constraints.
Road and Track once commented on a brand new Austin Healy road test that the build quality was so bad that the upholstery was practically hanging unto the showroom floor. They loved the car anyway.
The Austin Healey 100 came before the Sprite. The big healelys came first, then the little ones.😊
right but they didn't refer to them as Big until after the sprites right?
@@TedwardDrives Probably!
I would love to see you test an old Elan.
I had a 1967 Elan that I bought in 1974 for $2400. I loved that car, it was positively insane. Before I bough my first Lotus (a Cortina) I used to say they were so unreliable that you needed a friend with a pickup truck to drive behind you to gatheer up the pieces that fell off. Owning one ( three actually) didn't change my opinion but I did think it was worth it.😍
Real nice red '54 for sale on Hemmings.
So this is 100/4 with the 4cylinder and 100/6 was the 6cylinder
it's not just Vintage tires that are getting hard to find. apparently, manufacturers have stopped making anything but the 20 inch rubber bands modern vehicles use.
An awful lot of modern vehicles have small wheels,14 to 16 inch are very common. Tyre manufacturers make lots of suitable hoops, and 20 inch wheels are still considered large. Of course, the USA is the land of "bigger is better", so they only have themselves to blame if manufacturers don't ctually market them there. 😂
@@another3997 more like "bigger is mandatory" nowadays. hell, the US EPA changed the rules to make fuel consumption based on wheelbase length, and anything smaller than a US pre 77 full size now has to get 2 stroke motorcycle consumption MINIMUM. and I think all the rubber band tires and wheels are under the safety protocols for handling.
This velvety, farty rumble when it digs down for power at 2-3k rpm is DELIGHTFUL.
Did you notice the 4800 redline on the tach? That was a real truck engine!
The odd angle of the instrument nacelle makes it look like it’s falling off.
That would drive me crazy!
Seriously, if that's the kind of thing youre looking out for in a classic car, maybe you should stick to modern cars. 😂
A proper motorcar!
This car is as quirky as Mr. Bean and its awesome.
A dream of a roadster, but that engine is all-iron and far from light. It's grunty, though - armfuls of torque that make a picnic of just three speeds.
I tried to buy a 1955 100/4 in 1961 or 1962 after selling my 1949 Ford. The price was $300. My parents would not let me buy it because I was 17 and no one would sell me insurance. Instead I bought a 1950 Chevy coupe with a 1958 V8 stuffed in it. The insurance company didn't look at it.
I just checked Bring-a-Trailer and the average price for a 100/4 2024 is over $90,000!
What I noticed immediately about the car tested was that awful steering wheel. I've noticed similar grotesque wheels on other 1950s vintage British cars. Someone needs to make a replica wheel out of Black Bakelite with wire spokes for these cars.
Cool!
Fuel level appears to be in a state of superposition.
This is prove that you dont need 400-500hp to have fun, you just need lightweight car a nimble engine and fun drive 😁 😆
Can you leave the OD engaged shifting from 2 to 3, and 3 to 2? Then it is like a 5 speed. The stance at the rear is noticeably lower. Is that normal or a trick of the camera angle?
I’ve had two cars with that overdrive, can say you only need to clutch, or even lift off the gas, for smoothness. And allegedly I can drive for three days straight flat out in OD at 80-100+mph, allegedly
what does overdrive do is this car?
It essentialy provides an additional "gear", and is electrically operated. It was an available option and would replace the normal tailshaft housing of the transmission with the overdrive unit. On something like my Spitfire, it drops the RPM down about 500-600 RPM. There's an inhibitor circuit that is supposed to prevent overdrive operation in reverse, 1st, and 2nd gear on the 4 speed transmissions (1st and reverse on the 3 speeds like this Healey).
I just re-posted this on Threads.
You need to get your ass over there and post your content.
Can you please drive a 1979 MGB in your next video
Waiting for cat leg at this point xD
Day 44 of asking Tedward to drive the S60R
...why?
Is it manual?
One would have to think that the steering wheel when ahead is upside down. ?? To me that would really bother me if I were driving that car.
Wut
Ahm, what does wut mean in English ??
The steering wheel is properly mounted with one spoke at 12 o'clock, allowing for unobstructed view of the gauges. A "Y" orientation would obstruct view.
Motoring!
100-4 you mean
I think it's more appropriate to call a 6cyl a 100-6 vs calling out the engine in the 4 cylinder. Every auction listing on BAT calls them out just as AH 100 and the 6cyls as AH 100-6
@@TedwardDrives I see, makes sense. I think you’d love the 100-6 with the extra horsepower bump but you’ve driven a 3000, so close enough. It’s nice that you are showcasing these classics. Most have never heard of them!
I'm really curious how the 100-6 feels in comparison to this and the 3000. If it feels as bulky (relative) as the 3000 I think I'll still prefer this little guy. This 100-4 is pure charm
Perfect car for those backroads.
La Dolce Vita
You kids are so funny...."it's so bizarre they call it the Big Healey". LOL, of course it's the Big Healey. Haven't you ever seen a Sprite?
All cars, especially British cars, were much smaller than today's behemoths.
Can I have a car please 😊
no, but you can have free robux
First