Austin Healey 100/6

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• UNBEATABLE CHARACTER • RISING VALUES • GOOD ASTON ALTERNATIVE

WHY BUY?

If ever there was a quintessential hairy-chested British sports car, the big Healey is it. There’s nothing like a big Healey when it comes to good old-fashioned driving fun.

DRIVING

Whichever big Healey you opt for there’ll be no shortage of grunt or grins. While the earlier cars are very sought after, also popular are the newest of the breed, the BJ8. With their 150bhp engines they’re very usable, but many feel the six-cylinder cars don’t handle as well as their four-cylinder predecessors because the latter come with a lighter engine.

WHAT TO PAY

There’s no such thing as a cheap, big Healey any more, but the 100/6 is best bet and you can buy a usable 100/6 from around £30,000.

BODY AND CHASSIS

The ladder-frame chassis is simple, but can be damaged with the slightest knock. Chassis corrosion is a problem – especially in the main rails and outriggers as they support the sills. Inner sills are structural and difficult to repair.

ENGINE Oil

consumption is fairly high – maybe as much as 250 miles per pint. On the move, oil pressure should be 45-50psi, dropping to 10-15psi at idle. Because the car sits so close to the Tarmac the exhaust system grounds 3000 MkIIIs had slightly more ground clearance than earlier versions.

RUNNING GEAR

If overdrive is not working the chances are fault is electrical, rather than hydraulic or mechanical. Rear axles leak oil, which then seeps onto the rear brake linings. Front damper mountings can work loose and lever arm dampers can leak. The cam and peg steering boxes fitted throughout production leak and if the steering feels loose on the move it’s probably because of worn kingpins.

BEST MODEL? 3000 Mk3
WORST MODEL? 100/6
BUDGET BUY? 3000 MkI
OK FOR UNLEADED? No – you’ll need to use an additive
SPARES SITUATION? Very good
DIY EASE? Excellent
CLUB SUPPORT? Excellent
APPRECIATING ASSET? Yes – with more to come