In the UK and Australia the 100/4 came with a really great additional feature. You could fold the windscreen down which many racers did reducing drag. The 100 4 is a superb car with a very strong but complex box section body. This made the cars really light and very strong. Mechanically it was based on the Austin Atlantic that came out in 1948 as a convertible with hydraulically powered power roof and windows. Today rare Atlantic owners are grateful for the Healey connection because we can order all new engine other parts from the UK very easily. And I have been very pleased to be able to do this.

@classicperformance

6 ай бұрын

Cool, thanks!!!!

@Louie619

4 ай бұрын

This car has the fold down windscreen -- cool feature...

Great video. I'm probably one of the few who prefers the '53.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Ron, compared to the 100-6 and 3000s the '53 leaves some things to be desired for sure. However, its nimble handling is a very significant plus!

@davislane3204

2 жыл бұрын

I prefer the 53’ also

@hokehinson5987

Жыл бұрын

100-4 for me cute little cockpit.

@teamracing6

Жыл бұрын

I prefer it as well.

@johna1160

Жыл бұрын

Always loved the scene in old films when it starts raining and the driver reaches back with one hand and pulls the top over his head in two seconds. Can't do that in the 100-6. And that gorgeous grill on the '53! Way more sexy.

Really interesting video! Currently I have a BN2 100-4 and have owned 6 cylinder Healeys in the past. I have always liked the ridged hood on the 100-6 compared to the later 3000s and I don't know why they dropped it. The sound of the six cylinder Healeys is pretty intoxicating but I really prefer the styling of the 4 cylinder cars, particularly the rear deck, grille and windshield however that is just my opinion and they are all beautiful cars. Cheers!

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

I agree with the hood on the 100-6. A far superior design with the strengthening rib down the center. Appreciate your interest!!

Thank you so much for making this video. I'm researching both models as I know very little about them except that my father who is 76 this year always wanted one. I'm planning on buying one for his birthday this year and want to know which one to get him. I hope it puts a smile on his face.

Once you've owned a straight six it is hard to go back to fours, they seem so rough by comparison, and of course there's that wonderful six sound, particularly if they have triple webers.

@classicperformance

6 ай бұрын

You are most correct. We particularly like even the TR6 engines for smoothness.

I like them both, but prefer the 100-6; mainly because my dog will have his own space. There is a 100-6 out in the boonies near me. I saw it unloaded off a car carrier, it was immaculate, original owner 30K miles. It was taken out of storage and put there, now sitting there in the front yard for 3 years covered with blankets and tarps. I have tired to buy it several times.. no sale. The elderly owner told me " that's my coffin". What a crime.

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

I agree Jeff. 100-6 is my favorite of the Big Healeys. I also love knocking on doors and hate to hear stories like that. 👍 Thanks for the comment and interest!

Nice video. Now I know more about these beautiful cars!!!!

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, David! We'll be doing more British car stuff soon! Appreciate your interest and view.

Beautiful cars !!!!

You are correct that the creased hood/bonnet is 100-6 but not all of them had them as this was dropped when 100-6 assembly was moved from Austin in Longbridge (Birmingham) to the MG factory at Abingdon. BUT... I don't think anyone really knows if this is an exact cut off and likely was not because the bodies were all built by Jensen and shipped to the factories for final assembly. I am fairly certain that the trunk space in the 100 is significantly better than the 100-6. The 100's do command more money than the 100-6, which has been somewhat maligned over the years and was always the least valuable of the 6 cylinder cars. I am rather biased though as I have been a 100 owner since 1984. The 100 is the "pure" Gerry Coker car, not yet molested by BMC :-) Performance is very similar, the 100 slightly faster top speed the 100-6 slightly quicker acceleration. BTW, from late summer 1954 the 100's had reflector pods as well. Nice video.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Simon, nicely said and I appreciate your knowledgeable additions. Thanks for the view and contribution!! For me, I love the hood rib, never understood the departure as it was a structural element too.

This guy is resourceful, the MGA coupes video is as interesting as this.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

@boson Thanks for your kind words and support of the channel! Doug

One of my best friends married Bick Healeys daughter, I think he still owns the lowest genuine mileage 3000 in existence, it still resides in its home town of Warwick.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Now that is amazing Gerald! We appreciate your interest and the insight.

I owned a 1959 100-6 and a 1961 3000. Sure wish I still had at least one of them.

@curbozerboomer1773

29 күн бұрын

I owned a 100-6 many years ago...my model did NOT have those two back seats.

Beautiful cars.😎😎

@classicperformance

Жыл бұрын

Glad you like them! Thanks for your interest!

The fuel filler in the 100/6 is exposed to the exterior. In the 100/4 the fuel filler is inside the boor/trunk.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

@Charita R Yes, and I forgot to mention that. Appreciate your support and sharing the knowledge, Charita! Doug

The 100-4 actually had a 4 speed, but the engine produced too much torque for the transmission and broke the 1st gear. The factory fixed it by locking out the 1st gear. So, you drive the 100-4 from 2nd through 4th gear!

@classicperformance

8 ай бұрын

You are most correct, Joe! Was it true the initial transmission came from a small truck too?

Interesting side by side comparison - appreciated. I think the adage that often the original design is the most pure applies to Austin Healey's (just as it does to E Type Jaguars). I love the simplicity of the BN1 and BN2 design and prefer it to the 100-6. By the time of the 3000 series I think the design purity had been lost and often they look as though they have been on a dose of steroids. More of a question, but does the radiator grill of the 100-6 link back to the Sebring (100S) model?

@classicperformance

Жыл бұрын

Andrew, I agree with your assessment of the early vs later Healeys. I am unsure of the radiator grill history however. Thanks for the interest!!

I had a '56 100-4. The first year of the 100-6 was '57...

@classicperformance

Жыл бұрын

Cool! thanks for your interest!!!

If the 6 is smaller but has more hp. It must has a hotter cam.

To the best of my knowledge the ones with wire wheels had o/d, the ones with steel wheels didn't.

i bought my 100 4 in college at unc and drove it for years back n forth from nj to chapel hill and it cost only 440 back then i have never seen a 100 without the folddown windshield wonder if this is a later mod, the engine im sure you said was a truck engine austin was making at the time with 1st gear blocked out thats why only 3 speeds im up here in georgetown sc without a healy oh well

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Mike, indeed the 100-4 does have the fold forward windscreen! In that folded forward placement, it is called the "Lemans Position". Thanks for the interest and the story. Go Heels!!!

@mikejohnson599

2 жыл бұрын

@@classicperformance yes i see it now mine was less well hidden well ive had my fun with sportscars had a tr4 912 914s bmw 1600 and a bavaria an ancient simca i prefer the 4 cylinders now i have a sailboat in the harbor with a 40yo 2 cylinder diesel

Do you know how much is the price value for the 1953? How much is the price value for 1958? Any help? Thanks

@classicperformance

Жыл бұрын

the '53 will run around 60K and the '58 probably 45k

@joseenriques5791

Жыл бұрын

@@classicperformance Thank you!!! One last question. Whats the difference between the 100 and 100M? I saw one Austin Healey, that the manual stick shift Is not LONG and has short stick shift and I wonder why? Do you know?

@classicperformance

Жыл бұрын

@@joseenriques5791 100 M was a LeMans turning. Carbs, cam, cold air intake, etc. Probabally a shorter shifter for quicker gear changes being a shorter throw. The original 100M cars bring a substantial amount more. You can go to Bring A Trailer auction site, look up sales history and see the prices of the 100 and 100M cars. You might find out Healy Blue 100 there too as it was listed a while back.

Had them both, the 4 cyl is faster due mostly to the reduced weight not so much engine displacement. 3000's not my favorite. 100's had the best lines.

@billmiller3425

Жыл бұрын

If you think a 100 is faster than a 100-6, you have something seriously wrong with the 100.

@georgerrust4087

Жыл бұрын

@@billmiller3425 I stand by my comment.

The 100 6 exhaust is poorly hung. It hangs down low unnecessarily.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed Robert, it is a tad low and could use improved bracketry. Low hanging exhaust and exhaust-to-ground clearance is a hallmark issue of all Healeys. The oil pans are another area of ground clearance concern too.

@thesoultwins72

2 жыл бұрын

@@classicperformance.......It is quite a well-known 'trade' fact that the Healey was deliberately designed that way. Indeed, they used to measure it's ground clearance by placing a cigarette carton lengthways and on its side to determine the correct height.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

@@thesoultwins72 ahhh, always the pack of cigarettes. Those were the days!!! Appreciate the tip and info!!

@thesoultwins72

2 жыл бұрын

@@classicperformance .....you're most welcome!

@darrellsimpson6966

Жыл бұрын

Owned a 1957 100 6 many years ago. To me, perfect lines. Only a few photos now.

The 100/6 was an abomination - and completely against the wishes of Donald Healey. [Healey strongly disliked the 'creature comforts' imposed on his original concept of a 'no-frills' boy racer 100/4 by Leonard Lord/Austin of England]. Indeed, the 100/6 - despite its larger engine - was a much heavier car and therefore its performance was worse than the 100/4 yet it cost more to buy! As a result, the 100/6 sold the poorest of all iterations of the car and is shunned by most Healey aficionados.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Always a story about cars and iterations of them. But, a company also has to progress and try to meet customer expectations. In my opinion, the BJ8 is the worst of them all. Raised up to meet bumper height regulations in North America, fat interior, the top folds down like a VW Bug in the back, etc. See our videos. We have had several. Also, look at the way the MGB went going into rubber bumper cars and ride heights elevated too. Times change, nothing ever stays the same and both companies folded long ago.

@thesoultwins72

2 жыл бұрын

@@classicperformance ........Mmm - I honestly fail to understand your comment about 'a company has to progress and try to meet customer expectations' when the 100/6 patently did not achieve any of these things! To repeat, Donald Healey absolutely hated the 100/6 as it was a total departure from his [highly successful] vision of a relatively fast 'no-frills' sportscar that the average man in the street could afford. The 100/6 was simply a money-spinning exercise by Leonard Lord to cash-in on the success of the 100/4 by tarting it up and fitting a few 'creature comforts'. [it was also a stop-gap until Austin could launch the 3000 series]. Yet in so doing, Lord destroyed the very essence of what made the 100/4 so good. If anything, this is the antithesis of 'customer expectations' and is much more in line with a product-centric approach.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

@@thesoultwins72 appreciate your expertise. I see your point and appreciate your interest.

It would be nice if you could drop a Jaguar 3.8 litre in the 6! 😁

@classicperformance

8 ай бұрын

This is an excellent idea! I had a '69 XKE once with the 4.2. excellent motor and great power and torque! Here's some quick data on that. The Healey 3000 motor is 600 lbs, 150 HP and 165 TQ. The 4.2 jaguar is 500 lbs, 265 HP 283 TQ. Now that would make a difference!!

British were way better making cars at that time! Open the hood back to the front is racing cars.

@classicperformance

Жыл бұрын

Exactly!!!

LS 3000😂

@classicperformance

7 ай бұрын

Possibly! :)