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.
My WW2 VET Dad had 2 Jags. He had an XK-120 when I was a kid. @ That time, XK-120s were Current Automobiles. Jag #2, was a '68 E-Type roadster. My Older brother had an MGA 1500. He bought a '55 Porsche Speedster, from the Original owner.(!!) Big Brother, ALSO introduced me to Lotus. I named my Son, Colin. Colin & Cristina have provided 2 Grandkids.(1of EACH).
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!
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.
Fun story- I found my 1959 3000 (a four seater) did surprisingly well in snow in NY and Michigan, the only problem is those foam seats would soak up moisture and the first few miles you were sitting on an ice cube! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
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.
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.
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.
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.
Should have bought the Healey in 1970- just $400 for one back then- seriously! My buddy bought it, restored it, sold it, misses it badly and is now trying to trace it down to buy it back. He has the 'bucks' to do it. I'll have to stick with my more 'modern cars'...unless I can find one again for $400 hahaha! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
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.
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 !
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 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.
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 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.
Owned a Triumph TR 4A for many years and truly regret having sold it. Most fun I have ever had with a car. I knew every nut and bolt. Unreal torque for a 4 cylinder engine.
Likewise, and having also owned a Healey and a couple TR-4's (plus an ancient TR-2!), while the 3000 was surely the 'prettiest', the TR's always felt the most fun to drive and had the most sure-footed and 'intuitive' handling. But, gawd, those crappy convertible tops on all of 'em were almost useless (and they were designed for rainy England no less)! ;-)
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'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?).
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.
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 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.
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 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.
Man I know what you mean. The look, the smell and the sound. I loved mine in 1975. Cost me $1900 and was in good shape. Had rough times and had to sell her. Today I can't afford one. That's okay, I have my memories.
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.
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....
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!!!
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 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.
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 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.
@@Gentleman...Driver Fair point. I would also say that a "most beautiful" car can't truly exist, as the concept of beauty itself is so malleable and unable to have one set standard.
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.
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’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.
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
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!
But it's no Healey 3000! Ha. English cars are just light and fun, therefore don't need a small block Chevy to move, and out handles those big Americans beasts, same story today.
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 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
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.
@@PaulRentz I won't disagree. The Austin's lines were as graceful as any. My co-worker at Coventry Classics in Orlando owned one. It was his daily driver. He took good care of it. These collectors who only invest and not drive their machines, that's like having a Stradivarius and not playing it! Or a lovely wife and not holding and kissing her. :^)
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.
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.
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 .
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 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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
@@jarvis7947……..Yes, you're right - I didn't notice that on first glance. To be honest, I was never a big fan of the AH3000 - but this car looks a total nail. [full of filler, massive gaps around the boot, doors etc].
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.
I love the swoopy bonnet curves and compact chunkiness of the TR4A but handling was scary like the Herald and Vitesse. I went to buy one back in the late 70s but once I'd floored it in 3rd gear and switched in the overdrive I decided the car would probably kill me so I left it behind with much regret. I owned and restored many MGBs and MGB GTs back in the 80s and always found them great fun to throw around and so easy to work on. I purchased my first first MGB in 1976 it was number 101 off the production line . it wasn't made in Abingdon as they apparently hadn't tooled up for full scale production in early 62. I mated a late overdrive gearbox with the early 3 bearing crank engine and removed a lot of excess weight like the bumbers etc . It was quite quick for its time and I remember driving back to Oxford one dark night from Bath with the speedo needle in the 6 o clock position indicating 120mph . I guess when wound up that car would have touched the ton. Sold it in 1997 for £1000 bought my first Porsche and never looked back
You are right re the Triumph IRS, I wish they had employed proper chassis engineers, the trailing arm suspension let down the cars; wish my TR6 had had the Mcpherson strut like my 240Z did.
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.
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!
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. . . :>/
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 .
Triumph especially the Standard built cars were sleek, fast and reliable. Parts readily available then and now. In 1968 my roommate bought a new TR250 and we raced a 3000 BJ8 on the Long Island Expressway it was dead even to 120mph, what a thrill
Had two 3000 Healeys, a '59 and a '60, at the same time back in the late '60s. I was the envy of every Triumph and MGB owner in the city. The '59 was street and the '60 had been raced at one point - it came with a roll bar and triple SU carbs which were a beeyotch to tune, but when they sang together! 283 V-8s were easy meat, four speed or not. Triumph Spitfires were so adept at dismantling themselves that they were never really in the picture. Of course, the wiring in every car I've mentioned including the Healeys was complete and utter shite. The Brits couldn't wire a car to save their lives, it is well known.
Those Austin Healeys are GORGEOUS cars and look so fun to drive! I've never seen one here in the States, I'm not sure if they were imported here or not? I know I've seen some MG cars before, but I'm not sure about Triumph either. The Triumph TR4 looks nice too. What do you guys think of the original model Lotus Elite? I think early 60's? I always loved the looks of those as well.
What about an MGB is not sporty? IIRC correctly Mazda used it as a model for the first MX-5s. Yes most of the styling came from the Lotus Elan but many other aspects of the car were inspired by the MG.
MGB is a brilliant economical Sports Car , Mazda used a Lotus Elan as inspiration for the MX-5 Miata , I met the chap that bought the Elan they stripped , he worked for Mazda design in California & he too was an Englishman :)
@@hawaiisteve932 Actually I do remember reading that now that you mention it. I guess my opinion comes more from my experiences, I owned 3 MGBs in the '70s and '80s and then a '92 Miata about 20 years later. I thought the Mazda felt a lot like a modern MGB, but ymmv.
So obviously you don't know the other two. I'm restoring a TR4 and EVERYTHING (like all the body panels) is available from the shelf. Apart from the hinges for a glove lid on a metal dashboard, that is. Still looking for them.
I have professionally been restoring English cars for over forty years. I have Restored XKEs, Triumphs and MGB and MGCs and my preference along with a lot of folks is the MGB. I think this is supported by the number of MGB produced and the production run for the MGB. That being said, the TR4 is a nice car for the repetitively few cars that were produced. :)
I've had a 59 MGA a 67 Triumph Spitfire Mklll and an 80 MGB. MGA was my favorite. Never owned either TR4 or Big Healey. Could have gotten a Healey back in the day when they were cheap but didn't. TR 4 is just way to rare. TR6 Better car thzn TR4 and easy to acquire. Drive a 94 Vette roadster now. Cheers..
Owned a 69 MGCGT with an automatic tranny. It was a rocket with lots of torque. I blew off a super bee and another hemi back in 76, but the power servo wasn't working too well so I always was looking way ahead in the event it didn't stop in time.
A good MGB is 12k and a 3000 is 55k so they really are no comparison. If I had the money I would obviously go for the 3000 as it's a better car on every level.
@@captainbadger1013 Depends on were you live I suppose as a good MG B were I live is more like 7K and a good 3000 is more than 55k, they are more like 60k.. for me again I prefer the MG for an everday classic and in fact I will be looking for a good MG this year but an MGC
@@adrianharrison5208 I think for 7k you could get a reasonable MG midget or a rubber bumper MGB. You could spend 8-10k on a midget now though. If you want a half decent earlier MGB I think 10k for a reasonable and 12k for a good one. Prices are definitely going in one direction at the moment. MGC will obviously cost you more. Are you talking about an MGB GT because they are cheaper than the roadster? I own a Triumph Herald convertible and my father owns an Austin Healey Sprite. Good luck with your search. I live in Warwickshire.
@@captainbadger1013 I live on Vancover island so on the East coast and there are so many British sports cars here, The first time my Dad came over he said it was like being back in the 60's.. I can get a nice crome bumper MG B for around 12K here.. a nice MGB gt will be 10k for a nice crome bumper.. Its somthing worth remmbering for people looking for a nice car back in the UK A good MG C will be starting at the 20k mark as anything with the bigger engines are really sort after, I missed out on a really beautiful one ownwer MGC for 25K that went south to the US.. I had looked here for a Herald but they are so hard to find and quite expensive and same for the Austin Healey Sprite, wich is one of my favourite cars form that time to drive.. My older brother just bought a realy nice Herald convertable back home for 1000! I could not belive it when he showed me the pictures
@@adrianharrison5208 That's crazy!! Are you talking 12k pounds Stirling and not Canadian dollars? Are you originally from the UK? I paid £7000 for my herald, but it's low mileage, never been welded or removed from the chassis and recently had the original engine re-built, new clutch and gearbox. It would cost me a fortune to do all that work myself, so I didn't mind spending a bit more. I've been watching "Rust Valley Restorers"! I guess that's not a million miles away from you. He did a sunbeam alpine but messed about with it and made it a fake tiger. I like originality myself.
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’ve got a B and I love it. Putting an OD on it soon and just picked up an original hardtop for it.
You see more MG's and they are fun cars but the Healey 3000 is one of the best looking cars ever. I think I prefer the look of the 3000 to an E Type
I have a 72 MGB. While I love the car, the 3000 is one of the most beautifully designed cars ever built.
I was in an MGB in 1972. My grade 1 teacher took myself and another kid to McDonalds in one... a great memory! Cheers, Rob.
My WW2 VET Dad had 2 Jags. He had an XK-120 when I was a kid.
@ That time, XK-120s were Current Automobiles.
Jag #2, was a '68 E-Type roadster.
My Older brother had an MGA 1500. He bought a '55 Porsche Speedster, from the
Original owner.(!!)
Big Brother, ALSO introduced me to Lotus. I named my Son, Colin.
Colin & Cristina have provided 2 Grandkids.(1of EACH).
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!
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.
Fun story- I found my 1959 3000 (a four seater) did surprisingly well in snow in NY and Michigan, the only problem is those foam seats would soak up moisture and the first few miles you were sitting on an ice cube! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
A beautiful car for a beautiful wife well done mate the two of you stay happy
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.
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.
I always loved the look of the TR4.
Had 3 MGB GT,s ,really felt great,fantastic exhaust note & flexible long stroke engine.
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.
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.
Should have bought the Healey in 1970- just $400 for one back then- seriously! My buddy bought it, restored it, sold it, misses it badly and is now trying to trace it down to buy it back. He has the 'bucks' to do it. I'll have to stick with my more 'modern cars'...unless I can find one again for $400 hahaha! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
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.
Wow, you actually own all three of them! And still driving the Healey!! Well done, good sir!
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.
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 !
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 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.
any tr-4 will leave them behind especially on a hill
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.
Awesome! Except the part of the car being stolen. I believe there is a special place hell for people who mess with other peoples cars :/
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.
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.
Owned a Triumph TR 4A for many years and truly regret having sold it. Most fun I have ever had with a car. I knew every nut and bolt. Unreal torque for a 4 cylinder engine.
Likewise, and having also owned a Healey and a couple TR-4's (plus an ancient TR-2!), while the 3000 was surely the 'prettiest', the TR's always felt the most fun to drive and had the most sure-footed and 'intuitive' handling. But, gawd, those crappy convertible tops on all of 'em were almost useless (and they were designed for rainy England no less)! ;-)
TR4A with overdrive and the hardtop conversions , aka surrey top version, is the TR4A to own.
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'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?).
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.
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....
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 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.
Amen! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
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 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.
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.
Man I know what you mean. The look, the smell and the sound. I loved mine in 1975. Cost me $1900 and was in good shape. Had rough times and had to sell her. Today I can't afford one. That's okay, I have my memories.
Had a 1967 MGB roadster, loved it!
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.
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....
Very interesting video....thanks!
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.
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!!!
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 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.
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...
Wow you spent a whole 60 seconds in the "lowly" b?
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.
BL did not give a crap, and produced this kind of crap !!!
Jaguar E-Type is the best looking mass produced car ever made. No doubts about that.
@@Gentleman...Driver I very much disagree with that statement, as I find the overall design of the E-type to be contrived and awkward.
@@jakekaywell5972 Obviously individual taste is diffrent and cant be argued about. I wont even try.
@@Gentleman...Driver Fair point. I would also say that a "most beautiful" car can't truly exist, as the concept of beauty itself is so malleable and unable to have one set standard.
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.
I like the HEALEY , I owned all three . my 3000 mk-3 kicked- ass. a fun video that brought back good memories .cr.
Oh yeah! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
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.
Nice video. My choice would be the TR. I've owned a MGB and still run a TR6. Great summer drive.
I had a TR4a IRS WHILE I WAS IN COLLEGE IN THE MID 1979’s. Thanks for the memory.
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.
There is no way a 2-litre TR4A is quicker than a 2.5 litre injected TR6, and all the road tests prove it, the Six in std form is a LOT faster.
@130starfish Not a 'daily driver in New York' for sure BUT as a weekend toy? Oh yeah! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
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
I pick the TR4A, more advanced than the Austin, faster than the MG B. ......but, in the end, all outstanding automobiles.
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!
I drove my 1973 MGB for 50,000 miles. Loved it!
But it's no Healey 3000! Ha. English cars are just light and fun, therefore don't need a small block Chevy to move, and out handles those big Americans beasts, same story today.
Felt like I was in an Aston Martin driving my 67 MGB GT.
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.🙁
That Austin Healey is beautiful.
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 like the Triumph tr4a
Me too! :) :) :)
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.
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.
I'd agree, even as a '59 3000 owner in the past- buddy had the Jag. But of those three? The Healey is the winner for me!
@@PaulRentz I won't disagree. The Austin's lines were as graceful as any. My co-worker at Coventry Classics in Orlando owned one. It was his daily driver. He took good care of it. These collectors who only invest and not drive their machines, that's like having a Stradivarius and not playing it! Or a lovely wife and not holding and kissing her. :^)
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.
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.
MGB is Weak compared to the other 2
@@paulhunter123 other two are double or triple the price..
@@paulhunter123 Complete BS.
Btw the top is folded incorrectly on the MGB. You'll ruin it that way.
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 .
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 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!
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 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'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.
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 :-)
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.
The N/S front wing looked like it had a dent at the top of the wheelarch as well.
@@jarvis7947……..Yes, you're right - I didn't notice that on first glance. To be honest, I was never a big fan of the AH3000 - but this car looks a total nail. [full of filler, massive gaps around the boot, doors etc].
Healey door latches suck.
@@dalemitchell8006 …...LOL. They were supplied by Austin/BMC/British Leyland...….what do you expect!
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.
american comment
Great video. And a lovely summer day in England. LOL
Cousin had. a Healey 3000, Mk3 , one of the last. I think , Reg no. Was. NLM 190E. , in red ! loved it !! :-)
I love the swoopy bonnet curves and compact chunkiness of the TR4A but handling was scary like the Herald and Vitesse. I went to buy one back in the late 70s but once I'd floored it in 3rd gear and switched in the overdrive I decided the car would probably kill me so I left it behind with much regret.
I owned and restored many MGBs and MGB GTs back in the 80s and always found them great fun to throw around and so easy to work on.
I purchased my first first MGB in 1976 it was number 101 off the production line . it wasn't made in Abingdon as they apparently hadn't tooled up for full scale production in early 62.
I mated a late overdrive gearbox with the early 3 bearing crank engine and removed a lot of excess weight like the bumbers etc . It was quite quick for its time and I remember driving back to Oxford one dark night from Bath with the speedo needle in the 6 o clock position indicating 120mph . I guess when wound up that car would have touched the ton. Sold it in 1997 for £1000 bought my first Porsche and never looked back
You are right re the Triumph IRS, I wish they had employed proper chassis engineers, the trailing arm suspension let down the cars; wish my TR6 had had the Mcpherson strut like my 240Z did.
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.
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!
MG RV8
Oh yes, ask the 'man that owned one'! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
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. . . :>/
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!
Cuzz had a Mk 3 Healey 3000. 1967 model ,, loved it !! Reg was NLM 190E , in red , what a car :-)
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.
Triumph all the way. Love the 4 own a 6.
Triumph especially the Standard built cars were sleek, fast and reliable. Parts readily available then and now. In 1968 my roommate bought a new TR250 and we raced a 3000 BJ8 on the Long Island Expressway it was dead even to 120mph, what a thrill
Agree.
Awesome vid presentation...Wish your project of driving for a day be near me😃
I had a 67 B for 10 years. A fun car and easy to work on.
Healy 3000 looks so good. Nice film, thanks.
Thanks for watching & thanks for the kind words!
Had two 3000 Healeys, a '59 and a '60, at the same time back in the late '60s. I was the envy of every Triumph and MGB owner in the city. The '59 was street and the '60 had been raced at one point - it came with a roll bar and triple SU carbs which were a beeyotch to tune, but when they sang together! 283 V-8s were easy meat, four speed or not. Triumph Spitfires were so adept at dismantling themselves that they were never really in the picture. Of course, the wiring in every car I've mentioned including the Healeys was complete and utter shite. The Brits couldn't wire a car to save their lives, it is well known.
"Uncle Lucas" will be hunting you down, telling the truth like that!
@@PaulRentz "Uncle Lucas" and I have crossed figurative swords more than once. ;- \)
Those Austin Healeys are GORGEOUS cars and look so fun to drive! I've never seen one here in the States, I'm not sure if they were imported here or not? I know I've seen some MG cars before, but I'm not sure about Triumph either. The Triumph TR4 looks nice too. What do you guys think of the original model Lotus Elite? I think early 60's? I always loved the looks of those as well.
What about an MGB is not sporty? IIRC correctly Mazda used it as a model for the first MX-5s. Yes most of the styling came from the Lotus Elan but many other aspects of the car were inspired by the MG.
MGB is a brilliant economical Sports Car , Mazda used a Lotus Elan as inspiration for the MX-5 Miata , I met the chap that bought the Elan they stripped , he worked for Mazda design in California & he too was an Englishman :)
@@hawaiisteve932 Actually I do remember reading that now that you mention it. I guess my opinion comes more from my experiences, I owned 3 MGBs in the '70s and '80s and then a '92 Miata about 20 years later. I thought the Mazda felt a lot like a modern MGB, but ymmv.
the seats in the triumph tr4a were probably from the tr6, the original seats didnt have headrests
You got a good eye!
So mgc 6cyl vs gt6 6cyj vs Healey 2.6 6cyl that's the real fair match...
I agree, I hate it when car and motorcycle shows compare apples to oranges.
Compare the mgc and tr5, I owned both, and have a great fun factor.
My dad has the healey and I have the triumph. Cool video
Showdown should be MGC v Triumph TR5pi v Austin Healey 3000 mk2.
Did I detect a snatch of the 'Theme from Exodus' while the Healey was being driven?
TR4a for me for all round style performance and practicality.
All are classic icons!
The MGB is the best car by far. Good luck getting parts fore the other two.
So obviously you don't know the other two. I'm restoring a TR4 and EVERYTHING (like all the body panels) is available from the shelf. Apart from the hinges for a glove lid on a metal dashboard, that is. Still looking for them.
I have professionally been restoring English cars for over forty years. I have Restored XKEs, Triumphs and MGB and MGCs and my preference along with a lot of folks is the MGB. I think this is supported by the number of MGB produced and the production run for the MGB. That being said, the TR4 is a nice car for the repetitively few cars that were produced. :)
I have owned a 50 mgtd a 60 mga and a 74 tr6. Parts are available. I was surprised. No problem. Go for it.
No problem with parts at all for the Healey or the Triumph, both are well catered for for by specialist parts suppliers.
I've had a 59 MGA a 67 Triumph Spitfire Mklll and an 80 MGB. MGA was my favorite. Never owned either TR4 or Big Healey. Could have gotten a Healey back in the day when they were cheap but didn't. TR 4 is just way to rare. TR6 Better car thzn TR4 and easy to acquire. Drive a 94 Vette roadster now. Cheers..
90s Corvette’s are very cool. Good choice!!
No kidding 'cheap'! 1959 3000, 29k miles, all THREE tops- $400! photos.app.goo.gl/ZZ317rGuW96amdXW8
The Healy Mk II is a great road car!
I'll say it on this site as I do on others, every one forgets the mgc a better match to the Healey...
Owned a 69 MGCGT with an automatic tranny. It was a rocket with lots of torque. I blew off a super bee and another hemi back in 76, but the power servo wasn't working too well so I always was looking way ahead in the event it didn't stop in time.
Healey 3000 magic. Brings back memories
Why even show the MG? You dismissed it so quickly.
I worked on all of these cars for a living and to be honest my money is going to buy an MG.
A good MGB is 12k and a 3000 is 55k so they really are no comparison. If I had the money I would obviously go for the 3000 as it's a better car on every level.
@@captainbadger1013 Depends on were you live I suppose as a good MG B were I live is more like 7K and a good 3000 is more than 55k, they are more like 60k..
for me again I prefer the MG for an everday classic and in fact I will be looking for a good MG this year but an MGC
@@adrianharrison5208 I think for 7k you could get a reasonable MG midget or a rubber bumper MGB. You could spend 8-10k on a midget now though. If you want a half decent earlier MGB I think 10k for a reasonable and 12k for a good one. Prices are definitely going in one direction at the moment. MGC will obviously cost you more. Are you talking about an MGB GT because they are cheaper than the roadster? I own a Triumph Herald convertible and my father owns an Austin Healey Sprite. Good luck with your search. I live in Warwickshire.
@@captainbadger1013 I live on Vancover island so on the East coast and there are so many British sports cars here, The first time my Dad came over he said it was like being back in the 60's.. I can get a nice crome bumper MG B for around 12K here..
a nice MGB gt will be 10k for a nice crome bumper.. Its somthing worth remmbering for people looking for a nice car back in the UK
A good MG C will be starting at the 20k mark as anything with the bigger engines are really sort after, I missed out on a really beautiful one ownwer MGC for 25K that went south to the US..
I had looked here for a Herald but they are so hard to find and quite expensive and same for the Austin Healey Sprite, wich is one of my favourite cars form that time to drive.. My older brother just bought a realy nice Herald convertable back home for 1000! I could not belive it when he showed me the pictures
@@adrianharrison5208 That's crazy!! Are you talking 12k pounds Stirling and not Canadian dollars? Are you originally from the UK? I paid £7000 for my herald, but it's low mileage, never been welded or removed from the chassis and recently had the original engine re-built, new clutch and gearbox. It would cost me a fortune to do all that work myself, so I didn't mind spending a bit more.
I've been watching "Rust Valley Restorers"! I guess that's not a million miles away from you. He did a sunbeam alpine but messed about with it and made it a fake tiger. I like originality myself.