Discussion
They are a car I've frequently considered but never even driven.
I know I can go out and test drive one or two, but it's not that easy and I won't know how representative they will be.
What has put me off is the amount of negative feedback from friends and colleagues who've owned and driven them.
In particular a friend who is a very experienced restorer and serial classic car owner who rates it as one of the most disappointing cars he's ever owned.
If I recall correctly from the recent British sports cars documentary , even some of the successful rally drivers of the period didn't actually enjoy driving them.
On the flip side there are dozens of very positive reviews in the classic press.
I have no wish to offend anyone but would appreciate some honest feedback from anyone "in the know" who could perhaps give comparisons with other classic cars.
What are they like and are there any recommended upgrades ?
I know I can go out and test drive one or two, but it's not that easy and I won't know how representative they will be.
What has put me off is the amount of negative feedback from friends and colleagues who've owned and driven them.
In particular a friend who is a very experienced restorer and serial classic car owner who rates it as one of the most disappointing cars he's ever owned.
If I recall correctly from the recent British sports cars documentary , even some of the successful rally drivers of the period didn't actually enjoy driving them.
On the flip side there are dozens of very positive reviews in the classic press.
I have no wish to offend anyone but would appreciate some honest feedback from anyone "in the know" who could perhaps give comparisons with other classic cars.
What are they like and are there any recommended upgrades ?
Can't comment on ownership but I've driven a few, all 3000s.
Likes: decent power, great looks, nice brake feel.
Dislikes: seating and pedal position just didn't suit me. Handling wasn't as tight as I'd have hoped, bit too much shimmy when giving it some.
Overall I wouldn't have one but I can really see the appeal.
Likes: decent power, great looks, nice brake feel.
Dislikes: seating and pedal position just didn't suit me. Handling wasn't as tight as I'd have hoped, bit too much shimmy when giving it some.
Overall I wouldn't have one but I can really see the appeal.
I looked after my brother's Healey 3000 MkIII for several years. He lives abroad so I was insured to drive it and took care of the maintenance, MoT etc. I drove it down to Goodwood a few times and got to know it quite well. Because I hadn't invested any money in it can be totally objective in my views about it. It was a beautiful car to look at, one of those cars that makes you want to drive it every time you look at it. To me however the experience didn't quite match the anticipation. One sits on a Healey rather than in it and I always felt the driving position was too high, and I'm only 5'9". My other issue was the quality, it felt rather flimsy, the doors rattled when shut, the bonnet and boot lid were thin etc. The performance was acceptable but certainly not exceptional for a 3.0 litre car. I tried to be objective in my my thoughts because I liked the car but I never felt it handled as well as my MGAs while the quality and performance didn't compare to my Aston which to its credit an older generation of car.
Edited by RichB on Saturday 24th August 13:27
I've owned my Mk3, for 2 years. It's near concours condition as it was restored when I bought it. It looks absolutely fantastic in blue over white and sounds great too. The 6 is smooth and has lots of torque, so that around town or on B roads it stays mostly in third gear with no problem and has OD in third and fourth when on faster roads.
The drivers seat has very little adjustment fore and aft and you sit upright and quite high. Consequently the large steering wheel is below where it would be on a modern sports car. The steering is of course very heavy when three pointing, but fine when going along. Feedback through the wheel is minimal and the brakes on my are a bit "wooden" despite servo and front discs. On a hot day the heat from the engine is noticeable in the cabin and on a cold day the heater barely works (my experience of all British classics)
In truth its not a particularly comfortable seating position, but suits me as I only ever use it for short journeys. I always drive it hood down because the visibility hood up is poor. I once drove it in pouring rain, hood up on the M27 with no door mirrors and it was a nightmare. Since then period mirrors fitted!
Every time I drive it, after 5 minutes I get used to driving it again and it loves to go quickly on B roads, helped by it's narrow width.
Summary - Iconic British sports car with fabulous styling and "proper" 6 cylinder engine, not the best driving position.
The drivers seat has very little adjustment fore and aft and you sit upright and quite high. Consequently the large steering wheel is below where it would be on a modern sports car. The steering is of course very heavy when three pointing, but fine when going along. Feedback through the wheel is minimal and the brakes on my are a bit "wooden" despite servo and front discs. On a hot day the heat from the engine is noticeable in the cabin and on a cold day the heater barely works (my experience of all British classics)
In truth its not a particularly comfortable seating position, but suits me as I only ever use it for short journeys. I always drive it hood down because the visibility hood up is poor. I once drove it in pouring rain, hood up on the M27 with no door mirrors and it was a nightmare. Since then period mirrors fitted!
Every time I drive it, after 5 minutes I get used to driving it again and it loves to go quickly on B roads, helped by it's narrow width.
Summary - Iconic British sports car with fabulous styling and "proper" 6 cylinder engine, not the best driving position.
The standard seat (particularly if it’s been reupholstered) is too high. It can easily be modified. I’ve replaced the steel seat base with a covered upholstery foam that sits on the floor, this way your head is below the wind screen (I'm 6'2"). The back angle can be adjusted by raising the pivot point, you only need about 1 inch. I’ve driven 300 miles plus on many occasions and no comfort problems.
With a BJ8 (Mk3) the door rattles are usually down to the window mechanisms, they can easily be restored to rattle free condition by replacing the front sliders and rear felts.
Standard handling is a bit understeery lurchy but slightly stiffer shorter springs and anti-role bar plus off-set front shocker trunnions taking it from 0.5 degree positive to 0.5 degree negative will transform the handling.
The standard brakes are very good 11.3” discs and 11"rear drums, the car weighs a tonne so long as they are well maintained you don’t need to change them.
There are many other small tweeks you can make, particularly if you’re rebuilding, that collectively will make a big difference to the feel and comfort of the car
As far as power is concerned, take your pick, just look at how the works rally cars engines evolved over the years.
I've had my BJ8 for 20 years now and would not change it for any (maybe many) other cars, great to drive, acceptable comfort,good handling, enough go to embarrass modern cars and fabulous looks, what more could you want?
With a BJ8 (Mk3) the door rattles are usually down to the window mechanisms, they can easily be restored to rattle free condition by replacing the front sliders and rear felts.
Standard handling is a bit understeery lurchy but slightly stiffer shorter springs and anti-role bar plus off-set front shocker trunnions taking it from 0.5 degree positive to 0.5 degree negative will transform the handling.
The standard brakes are very good 11.3” discs and 11"rear drums, the car weighs a tonne so long as they are well maintained you don’t need to change them.
There are many other small tweeks you can make, particularly if you’re rebuilding, that collectively will make a big difference to the feel and comfort of the car
As far as power is concerned, take your pick, just look at how the works rally cars engines evolved over the years.
I've had my BJ8 for 20 years now and would not change it for any (maybe many) other cars, great to drive, acceptable comfort,good handling, enough go to embarrass modern cars and fabulous looks, what more could you want?
Off topic a little I suppose, but for the last week or so my Healey has been sitting in my garage with a drip tray under it after developing a severe oil leak. As far as I could tell it was probably the rear crank seal as it was coming from the engine/gearbox flange area (or so I thought). Engine out job probably, but yesterday had a better look with the engine running and hey presto its actually a broken flexible oil pressure pipe - block to bulkhead. £11 from AH Spares.
phew!
phew!
I had always wanted a Healey having practically never been without an old Brit' sports car. For my fortieth the other half hired a Mk2 for the day. I no longer want one. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with one but can think of many other models I would take in preference - obvious candidates would be a TR, SP250 or a Tiger, all of which I now consider to be better suited to my needs.
It looked gorgeous, sounded gorgeous, and went reasonably well but had too many negatives - I would say get to know them a lot better and do so with an open mind. I have had a lot more fun with an early Spitfire, which was more responsive in every respect, had far better steering, a nicer cockpit, more luggage space, more interior space, a better hood etc. but it wasn't a Healey... There are plenty of reviews out there but you may like the following....
When we went to pick up our car we took my Kawasaki Z1000. First hurdle was where to put the crash helmets which we left at the hirer's office as they would not fit in the boot. We packed away the hood (a tentlike affair not a folding type) and I climbed into the driver's seat, a couple of hundred yards later I stopped and removed my (size nine) work boots as it was not possible to drive with them on due to the width of the footwell, so socks it was. A few miles later, as I was settling in, the heavens opened and I pulled over to put the hood up, splashing into a huge puddle at a farm entrance. Of course my boots were locked in the Healey's boot along with the various bits that made up the hood. Two very wet feet later we had the hood up but it didn't seem to make a great deal of difference to how much rain came in so there we sat unable to see out due to the steamed up windows, no heat from the heater and soggy wet feet... thankfully the sun came out and it all steamed dry...
When returning the car we got chatting to one of the firm's partners who regaled us with tales of continental touring, classic rallies and how he couldn't imagine not owning one.
It looked gorgeous, sounded gorgeous, and went reasonably well but had too many negatives - I would say get to know them a lot better and do so with an open mind. I have had a lot more fun with an early Spitfire, which was more responsive in every respect, had far better steering, a nicer cockpit, more luggage space, more interior space, a better hood etc. but it wasn't a Healey... There are plenty of reviews out there but you may like the following....
When we went to pick up our car we took my Kawasaki Z1000. First hurdle was where to put the crash helmets which we left at the hirer's office as they would not fit in the boot. We packed away the hood (a tentlike affair not a folding type) and I climbed into the driver's seat, a couple of hundred yards later I stopped and removed my (size nine) work boots as it was not possible to drive with them on due to the width of the footwell, so socks it was. A few miles later, as I was settling in, the heavens opened and I pulled over to put the hood up, splashing into a huge puddle at a farm entrance. Of course my boots were locked in the Healey's boot along with the various bits that made up the hood. Two very wet feet later we had the hood up but it didn't seem to make a great deal of difference to how much rain came in so there we sat unable to see out due to the steamed up windows, no heat from the heater and soggy wet feet... thankfully the sun came out and it all steamed dry...
When returning the car we got chatting to one of the firm's partners who regaled us with tales of continental touring, classic rallies and how he couldn't imagine not owning one.
The model we hired had a slot together frame which you assembled and then put the fabric over. Part of it was stored in the boot while the rest fitted behind a panel behind the seats. The door windows were, I think, held on with wing nuts. I know the later models (Mk3?) had folding hoods and wind up windows and are apparently a more civilised drive.
Here we are drying out most of the interior...
Here we are drying out most of the interior...
A badly done big Healey can be a dog, but then so can any classic and its the reason you need to be choosey when you buy one.
I have a BN7, that's a 2 seater rather than a 2 + 2, it gives you a little more seating space (and mine is on period buckets) but as said above the originals can be easily modified to give a wider range of movement.
It goes well, its not an E-Type speed wise, but its far more engaging than a TR. They can be a little skitty at speed, but you can tighten this up with some suspension tweeks. The steering is not as tight as some comparables at low speed but it tightens itself up at higher speed and gives good feedback. The brakes are OK as said above and the early cars (like mine) benefit from the bigger later calipers.
I absolutely love mine - its beautiful, it goes well, it sounds right and its been a lot of fun to own. Frustratingly I've just lost my second overdrive unit on it, but I suspect since its only 2000 miles since it was last replaced that is likely to be a manufacturing issue not a default.
Mines been rather a good investment too which always helps. For: Looks and the noise. Against: More basic than some competitors.
If I was buying I would go for an early car, a Mk1 or 2.
Or, I'd look at a 100/4 which are doing lovely things value wise...
I have a BN7, that's a 2 seater rather than a 2 + 2, it gives you a little more seating space (and mine is on period buckets) but as said above the originals can be easily modified to give a wider range of movement.
It goes well, its not an E-Type speed wise, but its far more engaging than a TR. They can be a little skitty at speed, but you can tighten this up with some suspension tweeks. The steering is not as tight as some comparables at low speed but it tightens itself up at higher speed and gives good feedback. The brakes are OK as said above and the early cars (like mine) benefit from the bigger later calipers.
I absolutely love mine - its beautiful, it goes well, it sounds right and its been a lot of fun to own. Frustratingly I've just lost my second overdrive unit on it, but I suspect since its only 2000 miles since it was last replaced that is likely to be a manufacturing issue not a default.
Mines been rather a good investment too which always helps. For: Looks and the noise. Against: More basic than some competitors.
If I was buying I would go for an early car, a Mk1 or 2.
Or, I'd look at a 100/4 which are doing lovely things value wise...
Florida Green was an original colour on the BN2 and whitewalls again were a US option. This is a US car and I wanted to impart a real 50's flavour with it. Bit bored of the more common Healey colours too. The colour on the website is not true to life, it's much paler in the flesh like a pastel mint.
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