TR6 vs Healey 3000 prices - why the disparity?
Discussion
I've been idly looking at prices recently of a few gold old British bruisers, as we will soon be getting some free space int he garage for about 6 months and it might be nice to have one over the summer.
2 cars I've always fancied are a a Triumph TR6 and an Austin Healey 3000. I haven't been keeping abreast of classic car prices much recently, but I was rather surprised to search online and see that a good TR6 is about £15k whereas a good Big Healey is pushing 70!
Now, here we have two 6-cylinder, RWD 2-seat sports/touring convertibles of exceptional pedigree, and both of similar age. Both have drivetrains of exceedingly humble origins and look to have a similar amount of comfort/luxury inside. Both were produced in decent numbers, too.
So, why the massive gap? Is it purely down to the rallying fame of Healeys in late production life?
2 cars I've always fancied are a a Triumph TR6 and an Austin Healey 3000. I haven't been keeping abreast of classic car prices much recently, but I was rather surprised to search online and see that a good TR6 is about £15k whereas a good Big Healey is pushing 70!
Now, here we have two 6-cylinder, RWD 2-seat sports/touring convertibles of exceptional pedigree, and both of similar age. Both have drivetrains of exceedingly humble origins and look to have a similar amount of comfort/luxury inside. Both were produced in decent numbers, too.
So, why the massive gap? Is it purely down to the rallying fame of Healeys in late production life?
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicles.php?make=Austin-Heal...
That there are replica Healeys, like there are replica Cobras makes me think Healeys are more comparable to Cobras than TR6s.
I love the sound of the Jag XK engine and Triumph 6 cyclinder. Does the 6 pot in the Healey sound similar?
Have you considered the MGC? A recent C&SC magazine thought they were well priced for what they offer. The article said British Leyland/BL wanted to brand the car Healey MKIV, which Donald Healey wasn't happy about.
That there are replica Healeys, like there are replica Cobras makes me think Healeys are more comparable to Cobras than TR6s.
I love the sound of the Jag XK engine and Triumph 6 cyclinder. Does the 6 pot in the Healey sound similar?
Have you considered the MGC? A recent C&SC magazine thought they were well priced for what they offer. The article said British Leyland/BL wanted to brand the car Healey MKIV, which Donald Healey wasn't happy about.
zizgag69 said:
Different eras. Austin-Healey is and looks like a quintessential British 50s sports car. TR6 is late 60s. Plus production numbers (42k vs 95k).
A TR5 would be a better comparison.In other news, after the death of my M-I-L, my wife is inheriting a bit of coin, and this looks lovely...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-TR3A-OVERDRIVE-E...
Healey image and value are both enhanced by a long list of competition successes on stage and track;the Healey also epitomises an era of 'Ding Dong, I say chaps etc ' sports cars with its raffish looks.The Triumph clearly belongs to a later era and whilst I think the TR 2 and 3 were an acquired taste in looks (OK-I think they are ugly as sin )the TR 4/5 was gorgeous and the TR6 even better looking .
TR6s are still a real classic car bargain.
Not sure if I've seen any I'd consider for £15K though which tend to be running restoration cars. When my mate was looking a few months ago with that kind of budget, the cars he found all needed work which would have been an extra 5 figures.
He decided to wait until he could stretch to about £20K which he hopes to in the coming months.
Not sure if I've seen any I'd consider for £15K though which tend to be running restoration cars. When my mate was looking a few months ago with that kind of budget, the cars he found all needed work which would have been an extra 5 figures.
He decided to wait until he could stretch to about £20K which he hopes to in the coming months.
The TR6 represents excellent value for money
The long line of TR models changed over the decades they were built, so that the buyers of say a TR3 would be a lot different from a TR7.
The Healey, apart from the Mk3, was still visibly the same as the original 100/6 which I think gives it a wider audience
A Healey 6 cylinder engine makes a wonderful noise. Not as cultured as an XK engine but still to be savoured
The long line of TR models changed over the decades they were built, so that the buyers of say a TR3 would be a lot different from a TR7.
The Healey, apart from the Mk3, was still visibly the same as the original 100/6 which I think gives it a wider audience
A Healey 6 cylinder engine makes a wonderful noise. Not as cultured as an XK engine but still to be savoured
gazza285 said:
A TR5 would be a better comparison.
In other news, after the death of my M-I-L, my wife is inheriting a bit of coin, and this looks lovely...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-TR3A-OVERDRIVE-E...
It's what she would have wanted In other news, after the death of my M-I-L, my wife is inheriting a bit of coin, and this looks lovely...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-TR3A-OVERDRIVE-E...
And looks aren't rational at all - I always found the Healey 3000 almost a parody of British sports car imagery and it looked dated for many years before it was discontinued . The TR6 , and the Sunbeam Tiger /Alpine (at least post fin ) were gorgeous looking things and much more in keeping with the forward looking, optimistic 60s I thought.
johnxjsc1985 said:
Good TR6 are well over £20k and I suspect there are many more available than the Healey. Love the Neg comments about the TR6 looks. Performance wise didn't the Healey have an old truck engine in it?.
Nope, C-Series never used in a truck...it was a Morris design actually IIRC.And the TR6 had the engine from the Standard Vanguard Six.....which was hardly much of an improvement on the Healey six
Edited by aeropilot on Monday 2nd January 19:09
Unfortunately, neither are my cup of tea - there are many other British sportscars I would rather have - but I can see the appeal of the Healey - very traditional lines and a good competition history.
The TR6, for me, does not look as attractive as the previous TR models.
As previous posters have stated, looks and sporting pedigree play a part.
The TR6, for me, does not look as attractive as the previous TR models.
As previous posters have stated, looks and sporting pedigree play a part.
I ran a shed of a TR6 for a few years - loved it, but it's fundamentally a car of it's era (the '70s). No refinements and the best of British Leyland quality control. I wish I'd had the cash to put into it to bring it up to spec.
By the way, if you're over 6' budget for someone to lift the driver's seat out and set the runners back a couple of inches. And you'll want a smaller Motolita wheel to get your knees under - which will then give your shoulders a workout with a smaller wheel and no power steering. It might look like a big car, but the driving position is cramped and tight.
By the way, if you're over 6' budget for someone to lift the driver's seat out and set the runners back a couple of inches. And you'll want a smaller Motolita wheel to get your knees under - which will then give your shoulders a workout with a smaller wheel and no power steering. It might look like a big car, but the driving position is cramped and tight.
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