Austin Healey by Caton: A British Classic ReImagined | Carfection 4K

[@vguitarman]

Feeling pretty jaded about cars like this. On one hand I can applaud the crafts-people and designers behind the car, on the other I'm fairly tired of seeing the toys of the hyper rich being paraded in front of us only to be folded into a private collection. Rarely driven or seen. There has to be another way.

[@Stuntman175]

Unfortunately, that's the way the world goes. There are more rich people willing to shell out this kind of cash for these sorts of cars than there are average people who would buy one if they were cheaper. These restomods don't come cheap, as the £474,000 price tag suggests. The only way to do so would be to buy an old one and do it yourself. But in the end, adding all things, it would end up costing more or less the same, just distributed over the years instead of one great lump sum. Even the resto-modded EV MG-B costs £90,000 which is bonkers for a car that is 50 years old. Edit: grammar and shit.

[@tomsmock7674]

Along with the over dramatic’s of its introduction.

[@archiegoodwinjr]

I agree. Is it because there are too many of such cars or because many of these are not exciting for such prices? This presenter's accent is charming, but his knowledge and vocabulary about design are inadequate to dwell so long on the car's aesthetics. Seeing the interior makes me wonder whatever happened to the revival of Bristol cars?

[@JStryker7]

That’s because they are rich enough to buy them but too poor to drive them

[@shroomyesc]

@@Stuntman175 At least if they used them... All the engineering goes to waste

[@heidelbergaren5054]

I’m sure it’s great, but for the first 6min it’s so dark in the studio that we have to guess what the hell he’s talking about. Then FINALLY we see it outdoors

[@geoffsaunders4960]

Have a wild guess why it was so dark.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@geoffsaunders4960 DRAMA.....

[@raypurchase801]

I can't see it either.

[@danb.3397]

They have taken an iconic British sports car and...........priced it well beyond mortal men.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

In doing so, the car lost its soul.

[@Jack-bs6zb]

You write nonsense.

[@Dtp2296]

What do you want them to do, make it for free and go broke! It's coachbuilt, they have always been expensive since the beginning of cars

[@23gps]

Carfection presents: The Emperor's new clothes.

[@DaveGath]

Much rather have a restored Healey 3000 and it will most likely be cheaper and far better looking instead of the bland look of this one :(

[@grahamtricker4103]

Not if these sort of companies are buying them up to make 10 fold on the the price tag...

[@geoffsaunders4960]

Nailed it. Well said.

[@wazzzappening4848]

Agreed Dave. Exactly

[@johnhpianoman]

Saw this car on instagram and there were several comments there agreeing with you too; for a fraction of the price of this you could have an exceptionally good original

[@pashakdescilly7517]

Apart from the radiator grill, the Austin Healey 100/4 is the same body shape as a Healey 100/6. Lots of enthusiasts actually prefer the 4 cylinder car.

[@RichardLyleEsq]

Less obviously updated headlamps and front grille would improve the looks at the front. There's a ton more authenticity in a JME Healey and you know one of those will cost less. I admire the craft and the skill on display but this is not the way I'd get an updated Big Healey.

[@Deadgrau5]

must admit I prefer the JME and gutted they didn't have one of them on here as although still mega expensive, its not SILLY expensive.

[@pric65]

Fun fact: the Caton's engine is actually built by JME. And I suspect at least some of the drivetrain/chassis upgrades are from JME as well. Seems to me Caton itself is more about design tham mechanical engineering

[@jsquared1013]

@@pric65 that might be the case, but the metalwork for coachbuilding is quite difficult (read: expensive craftsman). The info given about the parent company sounds like they make the one-off/few-off bodies and interiors and such for concept cars and pre-production show cars, so I'm not surprised if they focused on the metalwork and styling while letting engineers handle the engineering bits under the skin.

[@TheDjcarlos67]

Another classic design, made into an absurdly-priced restomod. Beautiful, no doubt, but only a fool would buy one at that price

[@nickturner2813]

What price? He didn't mention a price so maybe you're the fool?

[@grahamtricker4103]

@@nickturner2813 Look further up £474K...

[@keithjackson4985]

Lol 😆. Have to say, I agree.

[@grahamtricker4103]

You have to understand the market these types of cars are aimed at. But yes, manufacturers cashing in on a very small but wealthy market who are looking for something exclusive and unique/limited numbers mostly for bragging rights or Willy waving…

[@keithjackson4985]

@@grahamtricker4103 500grand? Lot of coin man! I hope they enjoy them? Even if I could afford, not my cup of tea. I like Singer automotive though. I'd spend 500grand on one of their cars.

[@patrickjones8209]

I don't see it. So much of the beauty in an original Austin Healey is the jewelry and the chrome and fussy details that complement the sensuous lines so perfectly. This thing looks naked and incomplete and to my eye much less appealing than the original. It looks like a half-assed Boyd Coddington hot rod without a modern mechanicals. Pass.

[@dobster5819]

Totally agree. The original was stunning.

[@freddieskeates281]

Love the 100/4 and the interior, finish and build quality are amazing, but I cannot get past the chunky grille and cheap-looking LED front lamps. Aesthetically not an improvement of the original imo. My fave parts of the original 100/4 other than its shape are the dainty, art-deco grille and adjustable screen Not a superfan of Singer 911's but they go the extra mile on component choices from a design as well as engineering point of view, to where there's not a single aspect that stands out from the overall shape, and I never tire of seeing the rear haunch and Hella lights. Still want one

[@alanboulton9691]

They have just chaved up one of the greatest designs ever

[@simpsontheo]

Spot on!

[@jryalls]

£474,000 according to Autocar.

[@johnm1629]

Sorry the headlights just kill it stone dead for me

[@nickturner2813]

Get your deposit back, then.

[@timbrookes3699]

Better if the over gushing presenter gushed less and told us more in simple language. Yes the car looks sexy in the poor light, but we couldn’t see the bloody thing until it was outside! It would have helped if the camera was pointed on the bit of the car that the presenter was talking about. Apart from that ….Great

[@mcashnv]

He's from the Doug DeMuro gushing generation.

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

i'd rather own a professionally restored original. sorry, but the simplicity of the original trumps anything involving contemporary engineering, IMO. and this guy's "oh so sincere' delivery gets old fast...too fast. wouldn't surprise me if these cost well over $300,000, maybe $500,000. ...time passes.... looked up the price. over $600,000. lol.

[@mikepatterson3124]

I owned and redid a 55 100 4. It was a great car to drive and beautiful

[@williamlapinskis5547]

Lovely work but those headlights really let it down. Just seem like a cheap afterthought.

[@miguelpagansr6128]

I don’t know whether to drive it or just admire it, absolute perfection.

[@jryalls]

Shame about how they chose to light it. So difficult to see.

[@JamesSmith-vz8yr]

You mean there was a car there?

[@davidramsay-kerr1959]

This Austin Healey is a magnificent example of first class craftsmanship. I do have an aesthetic quarrel with two aspects of the work though: I think the headlamps are ugly, and I miss the distinctive AH windscreen. Gerry Croker's shape needs the counterpoint of the angular screen. It's like the salt on a chicken sandwich! (The same criterion applies to E Types and XK 120s, et al)

[@ago7212]

Beautiful car and the british racing metallic green is stunning..

[@tomsmith2209]

Ooof that is stunning. Love the Healey

[@Dcassimatis]

The word you're looking for is,... Eclectic!

[@johnsim3722]

It looks absolutely fantastic, but for 100% authenticity they have to ensure it can't start on a cold winter's day.

[@billman5379]

Yep. I well remember spraying ether onto the air cleaners to get it to start on cold mornings.

[@SmashGhost]

The war? Meaning WW2? Austin Healy was established in 1952...

[@nathanb2100]

Woahh that is an stunning remake of an iconic 50s Austin😃👍. Makes a nice change from all of today's 2 tonne SUVs and all that 👍👌.

[@michaelbarton4787]

Pretty fantastic! Wonder how much a replacement windscreen would cost tho' .....

[@nathanb2100]

@@michaelbarton4787 ah true. It'll probably cost quite a lot...

[@nickturner2813]

It isn't a remake of a 50s "Austin", it's a remake of a 50s Austin Healey, there's a big difference.

[@nathanb2100]

@@nickturner2813 my bad 😅

[@Antiquitycar]

With two wristwatches, one on which hand, the addition of a link that connects them both will result a pretty elegant handcuffs...

[@christopherbrett]

It’s my absolute dream a British sports car. I’m now 10 months into a Mini Clubman & adore it….but a true British car…I wish! I assume I’ll never be able to afford it… BUT BY GOD!! I want one… Christopher

[@allensaunders449]

Beautiful car. Reimagined better then the original. It will have a hefty price tag.

[@jryalls]

£474,000

[@petedavis4097]

Oh I would really love to own one of those cars, it’s beautiful

[@imaheatfan]

Spent the first six minutes imagining the car based on the narrator's description. Sounded so very beautiful. Oh, hey - there it is!

[@garyh2008]

What a lovely thing!

[@nasosnasos8054]

Love love

[@danielsonscott3038]

I recently inheritated a 100/4,1954, 3 speed gear box with overdrive,i'm planning taking it to the next level but not that far, beautiful classic sports car!

[@billmcgarry3300]

Wow that a Beautiful reincarnation of my Healey from almost fifty years ago. I still miss my 100 and while my Tiger has serious growl, the Healey’s are so much more curvaceous! Donald and his son Geoffrey would be proud to see this homage to their creation!

[@rockemsockemrusbot684]

British beautiful! My first car was an Austin Healey

[@jkulcsar100]

amazing

[@z32luvr]

So beautiful

[@EvendimataE]

super!!!!!!!!! beautiful

[@simonwood1461]

This thing may be mechanically superior to the original, but it has had all the charm, all the excitement, all the character, all the imagination, all that boyhood testeronic desire to someday own one designed out of it. Give me a refurbished original Austin Healey any day. And I haven't even got started on those god-awful headlamps.

[@johnmilner2316]

'God-awful' - is totally accurate! The reviewer's verbal effusions are nauseating!

[@noyfub]

Beautiful!

[@geoffmatthews8302]

Its georgeous!

[@gabrielsandoval4994]

I’ll take the original any day.

[@seankeef9838]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[@mikewaite3746]

Is it me or the person that's doing this video reminds me of somebody wanting to do the YMCA?😂

[@PaulLawry]

Donald Healey would be proud to see his creation evolve to what it’s become. He sat in my Bug Eye at a Oregon Austin Club Healey meet and said, “You need a bigger car.” He was quite an English Gentlemen with a flair for building and racing Austin Healey’s. The Caton seem to be a very impressive design, taken from the 100/4 or 100 S. A cost and build time would be nice.

[@chrischallis4240]

Pretty car but what’s with those weird front headlights ?

[@ChristianrnstrupRasmussen]

So this is what the Austin Healey would have looked like if it was built in the ‘90’s.

[@OldFalcon2]

The shot of the host sitting in the car shows his whole head above the windshield.

[@memomomomomo185]

Could someone turn the lights on? I really am struggling to see the detail in the half dark

[@kramnevets8712]

I really like the sound of the engine!

[@rockeroller]

This is a different animal. I like it.

[@jayse38]

Simply Beautiful...!

[@johnrodgers6049]

beautiful car. Dramatic but poor lighting

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

The first six minutes were a waste of time. Poorest showing ever by a channel that knows how to show off a car.

[@MarMPB]

Looks gorgeous! It will certainly need a continuation vídeo on the open and driving. I was curious about the odd shape of the windshield…the price? Probably a 100k more than they were thinking before the Carfection video…eheh

[@49mrbassman]

That is one hell of a gorgeous car. A real successor to the Healey100/4. I would love to see Caton's take on the Sprite MK1 frogeye.

[@stephenbennett3330]

love it, and on the back of watching an old episode of Wheeler Dealers where they fettled a Healy 3000 and sold at auction for a good price. Rather this one though...

[@michaelpapaioannou8921]

This reporter discovers America, in every review.

[@Jonoponomono]

Its beautiful

[@timearll266]

Oh lord it was like watching (pause for effect) William Shatner as a used car salesman.

[@w5bbaker]

In 1966, I had a used and abused Austin Healey Sprite (V ii non-Bugeye). Although I thought E type Jags were perfection, I enjoyed my baby Austin-Healey and have always wanted an Austin-Healey 3000 Mk. III. If my health and finances were in better condition, There is no doubt that I would want a modern car based on the Austin-Healey 3000 6 cylinder car. This Caton almost gets there.

[@Farmer101]

I had a UK sports car 2x mg & lotus back in early 70s. From a factory as was and affordable. I stress anyone with modern equipment and buckets of money can deliver demo car. Great craftsman no doubt. Mine were standard pommie stuff and lived every mile.

[@bsmukler]

What a beautiful reimagining and a wonderful first look at it. I remember the originals from back in the day, and owned a TR3 of roughly that vintage. Nostalgia may be loosely defined as fondly remembering a past that never occurred but, in this case, it is actually true.

[@nasosnasos8054]

Price ?

[@sameebah]

Yes please!!

[@aeropunk4127]

I quite like that. I agree with the comments about blandness. It could do with a few more details but I still think it works well. I would quite like one on my drive. I'm not a fan of the current trend for black wheels. They don't do this car any favours. I feel a nice set of original chrome ones would set it off nicely. A set of Cobra style overriders front & back would add to it. I have never really been into the big Healeys so maybe that affects my view. I often wonder what we would have ended up with if Carroll shelby had been successful with his initial plan to put a Chevy V8 in a Healey to create what became the Cobra. Would we have ended up with a Healey Muscle Car like the 427 Cobra? Would it have looked a bit like this with fatter arches? As for the comments on the cost of a special like this, it wasn't always that way. If you weren't worried about authenticity, there used to be a thriving kit car market here in the UK where you could build your own car and modify it like this for a fraction of the price. Added to which you weren't chopping up a historic vehicle to modify it. Sadly the kit car scene is slowly dwindling due to increased legislation (not necessarily a bad thing) and people not being so interested in making their own due to various reasons. The result is the only stuff you see like this out on the road is now usually expensive. Mind you, I don't see that many normal classics out there these days in the UK. Not sure where they all go, the weather isn't that bad here on the southern English coast. I do try to use my old cars as much as possible, though current petrol prices have reduced that. Along with my own enjoyment, it's nice to see other enthusiasts smiling at the car amongst the ever increasing number of dull SUVs etc. So the Caton may not be to everyones taste but at least it's a bit different, if it ever gets driven on the road that is.

[@Ruteger100]

A reimagining of an iconic British sports car. A car that once was available to a wide range of the motoring public to a the new version only available to a select few. Not a car for the masses anymore, but something to be parked in a garage and wiped with a diaper. I have to ask , Just who are you trying to sell with the breathless descriptions of this new iteration? I half expected you to start licking the fender. Oh, yes, and nice way of tossing the 50's British auto worker right under the bus. Well Done!

[@SnakeyUk08]

Looks superb , but sadly will be just a rich boys toy ...which most of us are not

[@daveb5211]

Beautiful but for that money I'd want better rear suspension, ABS, and a bit more shove under the bonnet. Oh and prettier headlights.

[@Franzino]

Nice review from a nice guy 👌🏽

[@churchill24]

Another beautiful British car brought upto today's expectations, let's hope £850,000 isn't mentioned

[@dufus7396]

Theyve turned Austins only beauty into breakfast cereal

[@jimmydishkawnt]

This sounded like a used car saleman trying to make a sale lol.

[@subarnosinha8042]

What a stunning piece of art on 4 wheels. The quality is obvious even in the video. Looking forward to its review.

[@alexwebb9124]

really starting to dislike these restomods

[@Nathan93Baker]

Not a fan of those halogen headlights or the unattainable price to which those who can afford it, wont drive it.

[@robinperronjones5024]

I remember and have driven an original. This is a superb creation

[@bobandmaryw4336]

I had one in 1969. I told my dad , I didn’t like the wooden steering wheel. It did grind a bit switching gears . So, it had to be double clutched, Non Synchronized gearing. It was a hard top convertible. Bright yellow. Two round side mirrors. It had steel spoked rims . I didn’t want to keep it. My dad said I would regret it if I got rid of it. It was sold to my cousin who was more into American Hot Rod Gassers at the time. He sold it and we never saw it again. Sigh!

[@richardmesser1091]

OK one percenters something to drive to the tennis club on Sundays

[@simpsontheo]

For the cost and development involved they’ve missed so many key details, wheel fit in the rear arches isn’t right, some terribly jarring modern choices such as headlight and grill and so unadorned it looks unfinished. No where near the depth and purpose as singer or alfaholics. The healey can be sympathetically modified to every drivers taste and still retain those original looks. These guys should just build a car from scratch, instead of these half cooked recreations.

[@marcushull12]

to my eye (obviously only from photos) it just looks de-seamed , vent in the wing , and different screen and horrible headlights . for £475k i`d rather have a real one full restored and updates in things like brakes , electrics etc, for a fraction of the cost .

[@richardcovello5367]

WOW! I've always said, 'Real sports cars don't have door handles!' Would have liked to see them retain the sliding windscreen. I like the turn signal switch in the middle of the steering hub. I think the original 100/4's had this. Like my '55 Sunbeam Alpine MkIII. I wonder how much it weighs, and only 185hp out of a 3 Ltr. 4?

[@jsquared1013]

Keep in mind that it's the original engine / head architecture. For a 50's design still using carbs and whatnot, that's not terrible.

[@richardcovello5367]

@@jsquared1013 SOB! I missed that! The original engine was actually 2.5L., putting out about 115-120hp (if I remember correctly), but it does appear to use original castings. In 1974, I almost bought really rough example for $200.00.

[@impslap7620]

It looks lovely and the fit and finish is impressive but I'll reserve judgement until the driving impressions.

[@travisbouton4056]

That is one of the top 3 most beautiful cars I've ever seen. Simple. No bs. If I win the lottery I want 2. The other will be blue with a ford V8.

[@dumbcat]

my first car was an mg midget. had so... much... fun in that car. it was a never ending joy to drive. except on the freeway. it was not a freeway car

[@marcushull12]

Should have had an original one along side , then you wouldn't have made so many mistakes .

[@nickturner2813]

They did.

[@rogeranderson8763]

This is an awesome 'cover' of the Austin Healey we loved so much. I'm not sure the changes in the lines of the body enhanced it over the original. Leaving off the rear bumper? Given the 'resources' however, I'd still be in line to purchase. -Former Healey owner.

[@dlhennes]

Neat, another car no one can buy and no one will see.

[@vokstar]

I can't believe they retained the original engine and leaf springs. Not a fan of the windscreen either, a modernised version of the fold down screen would've been brilliant. Be interesting to see how many will be sold and what in the future they might fetch after being sold on. I'm thinking a fraction of what the mug.. erm customer paid for it.

[@michaelfraser5723]

It's NOT finished; these are BRITISH isles, and it rains more than it shines.

[@baystgrp]

I had a ‘67 Austin Healey Mk III. Picked it up on the dock at Norfolk. I believe it cost me just over $4K that year. Silver, with navy blue interior. For all the b.s. by the moderator in his video about British workers in a hurry to get home on a Friday evening, what they produced was elegant, sculpted, and a dream on wheels. Not this digital thing with a grill that looks like something out of a nightmare. This is going to be another toy for the über wealthy, whereas in those years the Healey may have been a little expensive, but ordinary people who loved sports cars could buy them. Did the Mark III have idiosyncrasies?, Absolutely. But the sound of that engine winding out on a straight road was absolute music. I’ll take a restored original, thanks.

[@lesklower7281]

This is an iconic car that has been updated very well when you open the bonnet and saw the twin carburetors wow l hope there will be more cars like this from other defunct british car makers but the body is Healy the motor is Healy and leaf springs in the rear l do realy like what they have done good to see the carburetors make a come back takes away from my 1997 toyota hilux which until this Healy was the last carburated motor vehicle available in Australia if somebody buys one of these and imports one to Australia well my hilux and other 1997 hiluxes won't be the last of the last also it will be have to be right hand drjve

[@philipminns3933]

"Now I'm gonna get it out on the road and see how it drives..."

[@DavidWilliams-bg5yk]

I love resto mods, Alfaholic, Singer, theon et al, but this looks like a kit car. They’ve actually torn the soul out of the beautiful original. Needs to be toned down.

[@kumbackquatsta]

thanks for making this possible, geely

[@nickturner2813]

Nothing to do with Geely and nothing to do with NAC, either, the company that actually owns the "Austin" name.

[@kumbackquatsta]

@@nickturner2813 thanks, hyundai

[@kevinbarrett9615]

You waxed on about the style cues but I believe you failed to mention the wrap around custom windshield which is so interesting and a throwback to an earlier era.

[@Br1anuk]

I'd like to see this body placed over a BMW Z4 3.0si. Classic looks with modern engineering

[@MrGroovy87]

If i can afford half a million I better pay extra and get a db5 But it feels good Caton and Morgan keeping those roadster alive and modern And keeping the classic look

[@Rust_in_Time]

Don't like to mention it, but they forgot to put the bumpers back on....

[@geoffsaunders4960]

I'd much much rather take a good Healey and have it restored with a couple of mods - modern suspension and brakes all round, power steering and aircon, and have the motor breathed on by one of the Healey specialists.

[@samwhitnell1370]

It should be ridiculousy fast. The original 100/4 engine was taken from the Riley Pathfinder, which I believe was the first production car to drive 2,400 miles in 24 hours. It was the classic police car of my childhood.

[@Bd-ox4mi]

Lovely car if I could see it

[@kevingayadeen7253]

Beautiful, with a modern twist the problem is safety should the car flip. Something like the AC Cobra cage around the seats may work but would it take part of the beauty away is the big question.