1959 Austin-Healey 100-6 - Jay Leno’s Garage

Garth Hammers worked long and hard to reunite with his father's custom Austin-Healey and it was worth every minute!
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1959 Austin-Healey 100-6 - Jay Leno’s Garage
• 1959 Austin-Healey 100...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage

[@dustydon6419]

So many people don’t understand the emotions that auto’s can invoke in those of us that love these machines. This is an awesome story.

[@buzzwaldron6195]

The 4 cylinder engine was actually a few ccs bigger than the 6 engine!

[@jameslumley2463]

As an old Austin Healey owner, I have to comment on closing the hood. If you keep closing it by pushing down you will get dents. Proper closure is to hold the bonnet about 6 to 8 inches from being closed with one hand on each side and then just let go and let it fall into place. The car will be happy with that procedure. I had a 1967 Austin Healey 3000 that I bought when it was about a year old. I was 23 yrs then and now I am 76 yrs.

[@Peterboatbuilder]

In 1969 I had a 1957, AH 100/6. Before shipping out to Vietnam I drove from Camp Pendleton to the family home in Maine. My 73 old grandfather flew out to LA and we shared a great memory trip. Stopped at the Grand Canyon and up in the arch in St Louis.

[@phantumdrummer]

On occasion Jay proves himself to be an old gear head. Teaching the new and old the proper way to shift an old style overdrive gearbox. I didn't know it was better to shift on power as opposed to letting off the throttle. That's some old school knowledge that has now been passed on. Thanks Jay.

[@MicahPotts]

Yeah, that was awesome to be able to learn with the owner himself

[@rosebarnes9625]

Um, he was ONLY talking about the aftermarket overdrive (electrically operated), not the gearshift!!!

[@jerrytee2688]

The guy didn't know because he's driven the car about 5 minutes since he's owned it.

[@schumifannreins295]

@@jerrytee2688 1.700 miles in 5 minutes? Amazing.

[@MrGaryGG48]

@pete smyth This very much like a "pre-selector" overdrive. As Pete described, the use of the clutch allowed a smooth shift but the ability to select the next gear prior to engaging the gear-change made it faster & smoother exiting a corner. The gear lever change or the switch selection was made entering a corner and then the driver would accelerate through the turn, disengage the clutch slightly, reengage and leave your competitors in the dust... well, sometimes. ;^)

[@daseteam]

I always feel like this is the real Jay Leno. He has his day job as TV personality, but this is like his living room.

[@carlsagan2561]

Thanks for the hot take Joe Rogan

[@tomp538]

I've met and spoke to Jay many times at The Rock Store. He's always eager to talk cars or motorcycles.

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

You can’t help but like Garth. He and Jay have great chemistry. Garth is at ease and Jay feeds off that-all good for a show.

[@Gr8Layks]

Bradford Barrett Well said. You posted my comment before I did.

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Thank you Madame

[@bloodontherooftops474]

Garth's quite well versed in this stuff. He always has a story or two of the latest barn-find when our family gets together for the holidays

[@donaldleavy4379]

Bradford Barrett I can . I know everyone on this channel is supposed to be all smiles and happy and everyone is great but you know a little secret Garth is not a car guy doesn’t know what an overdrive is doesn’t know how to use it and he could care less if it breaks I’ll just go buy another one and say wasn’t him I’m doing it right yeah OK yet another car game kind of makes me sick

[@Peksisarvinen]

@@donaldleavy4379 What is wrong with you man?

[@jeffcard3623]

Jay is the man, so classy. Knowledgeable, and humble- a true gentleman!

[@jakirkegaard]

In 1966 at Jamestown Motors Long Beach, California a new Austin Healey could be purchased for $3685.00 POE Long Beach. There was a poster in the showroom, with a front view of a Healey with the text saying "THE LAST OF THE ANGRY CARS".

[@jakirkegaard]

@curbozer Boomer You are correct. Over the years many times I wished I still owned both of mine, 1955 and 1966

[@MrJob91]

Wow what a quality show. The audio when they drive in this open car is done so well. Hats off to the audio guy!

[@fatboysgarage7984]

Jay is right. It's rare to see something cool in a small town. The most cool cars I've seen roll through my tiny town were a black 438, a blue 911 Turbo S, a McLaren 650 S (I believe), a Lamborghini Superleggera, a Ferrari California T, and a few 2021 Corvettes.

[@cl7510]

Jay mentioned that seeing a rare car come through a small town being a big deal reminded me of an event that happened back years ago. When I was 16 or 17, the local Sight and Sound location did a promo where they were going to have a Lamborghini Diablo on display. I was excited to go see it. I really wanted to hear that V12 crank to life. So I made my way out there, arriving an hour or so before the event was scheduled to begin. I was lucky to actually watch the truck and trailer carrying the Diablo pull into the rather smallish lot. I walked over and spoke briefly with the driver, he said it was time to back her out of the trailer. I was stoked to get to hear it roar to life. They opened the trailer doors, pulled out the ramps, guy shimmied into the drivers seat, then the sound of.......an electric winch, easing the car slowly back out of the trailer to its spot where they quickly surrounded it with those fancy rope and stands. I was pretty bummed to not get to hear it start and run, but it was a cool looking car none the less. The guy driving the truck gave me a poster, so I had a reminder of that day hanging on my bedroom wall for years. Anyway, another great video from Jay’s garage. Nicely done!

[@MicahPotts]

Sheesh, whaaaaat a disappointment that must've been. At least they were nice enough to give you a poster, but gosh

[@cl7510]

Micah Potts yep, but I still have that poster somewhere.

[@jerrytee2688]

Could you elaborate?🤔

[@born_again_torinos]

My story is similar. In 1973 when I was 12, I was living just outside Las Vegas and my dad, who was a hard core car guy bought James Darren's drummers 1954 & 1/2, 100-4 Austin Healey. It was on a little junky used euro car lot in downtown Vegas. It was in the back of the lot, top rotted off and the car was full of leaves. It had the original aluminum hood and trunk lid, factory no out side door handles, lay flat windshield and nerf bars front and rear. Back then he paid $700 for it. It was red like this one and the same overdrive. I've liked Austin Healeys ever since.

[@DiddleyBoh]

I believe the 1954 1/2 100-4 is now the most prized A-H roadster.

[@Xaltar_]

Everyone always goes on about v8s and v12s but the inline 6 is a beastly engine that runs ridiculously smooth compared to a V configuration thanks to the physics involved. The i6 can be balanced to perfection without the need for counterweights so it's power delivery is smoother and more responsive compared to it's V cousin. At this year's drag week there were a pair of i6 Ford Barra powered cars that were ripping 8's with comparably minimal mods to the other class equivalent cars on the track. Just watching them go down the track you can see the smoothness of the power being put down. I always loved i6 power plants and this one with it's triple Webbers producing that heavenly throaty roar when you step on the gas sounds just brilliant.

[@gabrielsandoval4994]

Xaltar my 99 M3 has the smoothest i6 I’ve ever driven, I agree with you.

[@buzzwaldron6195]

What a load of nonsense...

[@chrisflemington819]

The history of this Healey combined with the way in which it has been cared for makes this one of the best stories I’ve heard for a long time. It’s looks despite their being marginally non original look really good. Well done to both of you for allowing and old Englishman to see a car from his youth.

[@freepatriot6313]

I'm 62...and I remember my dad coming to visit me when I was about 5 yrs old....driving an Austin Healey. My parents had divorced and I guess this car was his present to himself to re establish his ego or something. And...it sure made a huge impression on me . I loved to see him pull up in the driveway about once a year....as I got to go cruisin' with my dad. Thanks for bringing back memories... BTW...he later bought a new '67 GTO...and I was a car nut in the making

[@MrRandyForbes]

Today's email blast from Moss Motors included links to the episodes you did on their '73 MGB (I bought one brand new when I was 18-yrs old) and this Big Healey. I enjoyed both videos very much, as I have a particular fondness for both those cars. While that MGB is long gone, I've had my '57* 100/6 (a 2-seater, like your subject car) since 1978. I bought it when I lived in San Francisco, and later the same year went to work at Austin-Healey West, the shop where I'd found it. Interestingly enough, it was just a couple of blocks away from the shop you took your XK120 to and discovered Bernard (how different my life might've turned out if you'd had a Big Healey and had me put it right for you...). Here's a picture of mine taken a couple years ago at a local car show in Safety Harbour, Florida. Notice the "nerf bars" (rear only) Borrani-style K/Os, and engine-turned dash. The only work I used an outside contractor for was the finish bodywork and exterior paint; every other aspect of this ground-up restoration was done singlehandedly by myself. www.spcarsplus.com/piwigo/picture.php?/67602/category/423 * Though always titled as a 1957 by the California DMV, it wouldn't be until nearly a decade later when I applied for the BMIHT certificate that I would learn it was built on May 14-15, 1958!

[@richmcintyre1178]

Jay is bang on. I have a TR6 with the Laycock and if you put in OD while you are accelerating it is smooth as silk. My car is 46 years old and I had it up to 110 with no problems.

[@robcrissinger776]

Both Jay and you are doing it wrong. You lift off the throttle slightly when engaging overdrive and give it a bit of throttle when switching the OD off.

[@911truthfarmer]

Reminiscent of my own memories of my dad bringing home a brand new ivory with red leather '65 Austin-Healey 3000 when I was 5. Had it for a couple years and I have missed it ever since. That was a BEAST but finicky AF, always in the shop tweaking that engine. What a throat it had. Pressed you back into your seat, scared that 6 year old me in a good way!

[@roberthoule9693]

MY FAVORITE CAR OF ALL CARS... I AM NO MINOR DISCERNER OF CLASSIC CARS. THANK YOU!!!

[@vhawk1951kl]

Those that abuse capital letters not only emphasise nothing but the hysteria of the abuser, they also declare the abuser to be a lunatic Abusers abuse all sorts, who or what remains to be seen or prosecuted.self -abuse like abusing capital letters is like masturbation generally best not done in public.

[@ramblerdave1339]

Outside mirror was a aftermarket piece, used by many road racers, in the 70s and eighties. I had my first ride in a sports car, in my older cousin's '62 Healy 3000, on a narrow, winding West Virginia two lane, country road. The feel, the wonderfully sound of the big six, reaching for the redline, sitting almost on the ground, in the leather bucket. Soul stirring stuff, for an 11 year old enthusiast of all things auto related. Thanks, Cousin Glenn, (RIP), for setting me on the path, that I'm still on!

[@jefosterchina]

Beautiful car. In 1962, rode in a red 100-4 from Indian Orchard, MA to Watkins Glen, NY to watch Jim Clark win the US Grand Prix. Car had been rebuilt/restored by a neighbor who built and raced midgets as a hobby. His son and I made the trip and enjoyed the attention the car got.

[@Kayaz48]

I just realized, that I had exactly this car and sold it at exactly the time he is discussing to a restorer. The 100-6 was a very very rare car at the time. I’m wondering if this is it. Wonderful to see it restored. It was my first car and I couldn’t afford to keep it. Sigh. Memories.

[@moparedtn]

A classic, perfect JLG episode right there. The type that made me fall in love with the channel years ago to begin with. One doesn't even have to be a particular fan of the car featured - we just have to be "car guys" in general and love a good story of the cars' history, just like Jay does. Well done, Garth. Your dad is smiling for sure. -Ed on the Ridge

[@aguyinback]

I had a bright yellow '59 100-6 in 1972. I was a senior in high school in Orange County, CA. A friend in Laguna had been driving it and when it finely broke down one more time, he gave it to me. I had next to no money but managed to keep the car on the road for almost a year. After trying to make the Lucas fuel pump work, I replaced it with an AC Delco electric and had no more problems. One of the pot metal lever action shocks had a broken mounting lug and a friend welded up a plate that allowed us to both the shock down securely. The best thing about the car was the sound, something I will never forget. My mom finely sold the car while I was away at school and it paid for my next semesters' tuition. So it goes...

[@Izaakwalton_]

I'm 53 years old but I remember building this car as a plastic model when I was a kid. I built all the plastic car models growing up that I coveted. This is one of them.

[@MikeBixby]

Had a 1972 TR6 with OD was great for "splitting" the gears in 3rd & 4rth. Drove trucks in oilfield in the 70's and also used trucks with split axles, overdrive , 3 Spd brownlipe aux tranny.. great stuff.. Thanks Jay

[@chadsimmons6347]

Growing up in rural Missouri, i never seen a Austin Healey, you were a weirdo for driving foreign model cars, but man the British built some great stuff that doesnt look weird at all now (good-upload-Jay)

[@jlopez1017d]

I’d probably be the weirdo driving a foreign model just to piss people off

[@ambmainman]

Yes we designed and built great cars like the AC Cobra and the Ford GT40....Lol!

[@nickshale6926]

antony michael You know the Ford GT40 owes a lot of it’s design and development to Lotus with their Lola.

[@ambmainman]

@@nickshale6926 Please educate yourself before you embarrass yourself even more....Lotus and Lola are completely different car companies! FACT CHECK ON THE FORD GT40. For Educational Purposes. The Lola Mk6 GT. www.google.com/search?q=lola+mk6+gt&client=tablet-android-huawei&prmd=isvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiRmsDHp4zmAhV0URUIHb5RC_EQ_AUoAXoECA4QAQ&biw=960&bih=600&dpr=2 (Now say that looks exactly like a Ford GT40) Please click on the link and read it to the end..... for the "Actual" and "True History" of the Ford GT40. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_GT40 Please feel free to:- 1. Insert "British" where it says American. 2. Insert "Lola" (Mk6 GT) or "Eric Broadley" where it says, ...Designed by Ford or Shelby. 3. Insert (Aston Martin's) "John Wyer" or "J.W. Automotive Engineering Ltd," in Slough, Berkshire England, where it says,... Built, or Race Tested by Ford or Shelby or America. Warning: Anyone "American" or easily frightened, shocked, or has a fragile, easily dented ego .....please skip the next link. For the actual "American" (Mk IV) GT 40.....Click on the link below. (Beware it's not good) www.google.com/search?q=ford+gt40mk+4&client=tablet-android-huawei&prmd=simvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm8NinuY7kAhVfTBUIHVBYAm0Q_AUoAnoECA4QAg&biw=960&bih=600#imgrc=VtuBwkVTt7gk8M "Ford America" ... Took an "Almost Perfect" (British "Designed and Built").... Le Man's Racing Car .....and Absolutely Ruined It.

[@dja1353]

Commander Cody - Hot Rod Lincoln: “and man alive I shoved it down into overdrive”.

[@kurtbarrett6785]

Such a cool story! My earliest memory of my father and his cars has to do with a British Racing Green (The darker of the versions) 67 Austin Healey 3000. Among my baby pic. album is one of me in a diaper, with my dad, the Healey, and our boxer puppy. At the time of the pic. he was taking a break from wet sanding the car, in preperation for my uncle to paint it. Fast forward 40yrs and I have the Healey in my shop, as I'm writing this. I run an auto repair, restoration, and performance shop and my dad recently shipped it up to me for a repaint and cosmetic restoration. Strangely enough, I have my uncle, who previously painted it to thank for getting me into the body and paint industry.

[@marcryvon]

Great story of your own, Kurt ! Nothing, short of an E type, looks better than a Healy in proper BRG ! And the sound of a Brit inline six. THE sound ! A neighbour still has his 1974 TR6. He let me drive it last year. OMG ! I have my own classic car, a US sports car with a V6, sounds great but nothing like his TR6.

[@jameswatsonbud]

Sweet! My dad gave me a 1958 Austin Healey 100-6 when I turned 16. I drove it for two weeks and crashed it. Almost killed my best friend and me. My head hit the steering wheel and my friend hit the windshield, the car had no seat belts. My dad told my friend he would have to pay for the windshield. Just to lighten the mood when he arrived at the crash scene. Dad said I'm glad your both ok, I wrecked a few cars back in my day. I carried a rubber mallet when it wouldn't start. I would tap the starter with the mallet and it would start. I was such a goober. Straight six, dual carbs and a manual four-speed with overdrive transmission. I loved that little car.

[@cozmcwillie7897]

Straight six...the sweetest sound. Get the chance to hear in full song, you'll know.

[@boson2916]

A childhood dream came true, I am sure the car is happy to be with Garth.

[@irishmiketully6420]

What a great time to be alive, in the garage working on my next project listening to a couple of gearheads as if they were in my garage, always something to be learned,Thanks from irish Mike...

[@RobSmithSporty]

In 1958, my mom and dad bought a pair of 100-6 Healeys. My mom's was black, with a red interior, and my dad's was blue, with a black interior. My dad had a black racing stripe going down his. My parents participated in TSD and Gimmick Rallys, and my father raced in both the inaugural race at Meadowdale Raceway, in Carpentersville, Illinois and the 1958 Road America 500, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Prior to the big Healays, my mom had owned a 1954 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spyder, and my father had a '54 MG-TF. Many fond memories.

[@laerpearce7932]

When I was in junior high, 1962, my dad was stationed in Japan and our neighbor, another naval officer, had one of these in British racing green. I know exactly how Garth feels - a car worth hunting for!

[@deweybrightside2276]

I have the 912E my father bought new in 1976. The plastic seats still smell the same, almost 50 years later and it brings back all the memories.

[@videomaniac108]

When I was in high school in the late 60s I remember sometimes hanging around the Sunoco gas station that was on the way home from school in the afternoon. Sunoco had a blue and yellow pump with a blend selector dial on the side with which you could dial up any octane level you wanted in 10 point increments from 190 to 260. The big high-compression muscle cars of that era: 427 Vettes, and Camaros, Olds 442s, Pontiac GTOs, Plymouth Roadrunners ..., would come up to the pumps like thirsty horses to a water trough and get their bellies filled with Sunoco 260, which had an octane level of about 102. Sometimes the drivers would put a little show on for us kids watching their cool cars by revving their engines and laying down some rubber on the driveway of the station as they pulled out into the street.

[@craigwilcox4403]

Awww Jay! Just the sweet notes of the opening brought a big smile, and the remembrance of many happy times. Thank you!

[@philipdubuque9596]

Great to finally see an Austin-Healey on your show. I drove a 1960 3000 for a few years when I lived in England. It loved to be tossed into the corners for a little 'drift'. Also, a great story about this modified '59. Well done Garth and Jay!

[@robbh.6505]

I also had a '60 Mk 1, and had to sell it 50 years ago for college tuition. Still miss it to this day!!

[@roberthoule9693]

The first car I ever fell in love with! My cousin Jimmy had a green one. I was six and he was nineteen. Unfortunately he crashed and did not survive. What a great guy he was. What a great car to stand as a memorial to him. Let's be positive. I still remember his kindnesses to the little runt I was then and still am today. I'm 63.

[@Sockpoppet]

That was a really immersive story, to go with such a beautiful classic sports car.

[@ftby59mikeD]

Humble guy& like alot of us, inspired by our Dad's love of cars. Mine was into Sprites and Midgets before graduating to a Triumph TR250. Unfortunately, dad's gone by my brother & I still have it.

[@donaldsmith7077]

A lot of cars like this don't look good with people in them. This one works. Beautiful.

[@johnsherborne3245]

Gareth summed up the appeal of classic cars perfectly. They reach back in to the past. Our past. That's why we all have different favourites, and I suspect explains why cars that are outside our childhood experiences are less emotive.

[@WithHealthbars]

My dream car!! I seriously gasp when I saw this on my feed.

[@jacobbowl303]

With Healthbars I’ve been trying to sell my 100-6 bn4 59 Healy

[@lasagna1316]

This is your dream car? What about a shelby cobra or a ferrari barchetta?

[@Equinox866]

@@lasagna1316 some people just have good taste

[@Gamefreak8112]

The very look of automotive joy, freedom on the road, peace through machinery.

[@snoosebaum995]

wow finally does a Healey and they haven't stuffed a chevy engine in it , amazing

[@tcroft2165]

good :-)

[@tcroft2165]

@William Harvey The weight and power would almost certainly make it a very snappy car.

[@bigredc222]

I know a guy that put a V8 in an MG, it never made it to the road, he got it done, he was driving it in the parking lot and floored it to show off, he lost control, and took out three or four cars, that was the end of that.

[@jody024]

@William Harvey Stop trying to LS everything with wheels....

[@ladam836]

@@jody024 You know, a shopping cart can be LSed.

[@marcob4630]

Austin Healey: the most authentic Sporster in the world !!

[@marcob4630]

@curbozer Boomer : Very appropriate! An iconic car, however too expensive for buying a restored one nowadays. It was my dream car!

[@TheXeroid]

Austin Healey, the most beautiful sports car ever built!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I owned a 59 100-6...but no, the XKE is number 1, Healey number 2.

[@hksigman]

Nice that Jay was able to teach Garth how to use the overdrive. Jays knowledge is unmatched.

[@stephencivic1989]

This is another reason why I love watch Jay work his magic on the show. He presents the car(s) in all its beauty let's us get to know it and the owner(s). And absolutely does not disappoint us. And yeah he certainly has his preferences, we all do. But he treats every car equally and fare. Even cars he doesn't particularly like which is rare he gives them and the owner a spot on the show.

[@graycav56]

Stephen Civic#18 I think these videos are Jay’s greatest contribution to the hobby.

[@stephencivic1989]

@@graycav56 Oh I couldn't agree more. No Ford vs. Chevy mindset. Although I do have to agree that competition does bring out the best in a cars performance.

[@leswhiting6131]

Lovely to see and a great story, back in the seventies I owned a 1958 100/6, fitted with discs all round, being a stupid twenty one year old I managed to write it off. When I see the value of these beautiful cars now I could cry.

[@leswhiting6131]

@curbozer Boomer The disc conversion was already fitted, it was many, many years later I discovered that it was a very rare Dunlop Disc factory conversion.

[@lancairw867]

So true about seeing a certain car. I’m from Memphis ( it is raining 😆) but as a 12 year old in the mid 80s I can remember seeing my first C4 Corvette, White Lamborghini Countach, and Ferrari 308 etc. was exciting 👍🏼. Would tell my Dad to follow it ! Edit: I remember getting excited on Sundays to watch Motorweek and still get Car and Driver magazine

[@slowdaddy7463]

I have the similar story. My ‘67 BJ8 has been in my family since 1970. Still drive it today. Awesome cars! There was nothing like driving it in high school!

[@cobra454tim]

Jay looks good in that thing! What a good looking car, we will never see this design ever again!

[@garypatrick7817]

Timboslice I had a Healy 100...loved the looks..my new Mazda MX-5 helps me feel better about foolishly selling my Healey..

[@rcmakingtracks18]

It looks a little like an AC cobra and that's not a bad thing. Gorgeous looking car. John

[@quatervois7966]

An AC Cobra looks like an Austin-Healey. There's no doubt that Caroll Shelby was heavily influenced by this car while designing the AC Cobra.

[@David-ow9bc]

The exhaust note is music to the drivers ears. Best cars come from this era

[@vskye1]

Always loved this car. I had a chance to buy one of these back in the early 80's but I passed after checking parts availability. The fellow that was selling it picked it up in Germany and had it shipped back to the US. (he was stationed in Germany in the Army). Thanks Jay!

[@dogpaw775]

some people ,22 and counting, just don't seem to get it. Jay Leno's Garage, the gift that just keeps on giving 8)

[@ex-engineer6657]

Jay singing the "Hot Rod Lincoln" overdrive bit pleased me incredibly. It was at 0:18 - 0:22 and 30:02 . I think that was the first song i memorized for myself, not one we were assigned to know like the national anthem. Our neighbor 3 doors down had a Healy 3000(?) and I loved that car. He left it in the driveway uncovered and never drove it. They moved away and I bought a '69 Dart GT.

[@redram5150]

I became a teen in the mid 1990s. We didn’t have the internet at that time, and I vividly remember waiting with bated breath for the latest printing of Old Car Trader to hit the rack at my local store. During that period I had such a love affair with Healeys. More than once I begged my father, unsuccessfully, to drive out to Washington or Arizona for my latest fixation. We lived in eastern Pennsylvania. I can’t imagine why

[@leemundoartist9932]

Straight 6 such a beautiful go to engine in classic British sports cars. Lovely mellow sound. More gurgling than the grunt of a V8. Perfect for English country lanes. Sun out, roof off, a lovely scented passenger and a trip to the pub ( mine a TR6 150bhp injection. Overdrive in 2, 3 and 4).

[@jimcole5359]

Love the stories you find about cars for your show Jay. I can't imagine any of the cars you actually own don't have an interesting story behind them. Would be fun to hear about more of them in the future.

[@DowntownChris]

Thanks Jay, loved this episode. I owned a Healey 3000. Unfortunately my Healey didn't have a back story as lengthy, or happy, as yours. Mine was considerably shorter, and sadder. I bought my Healey from a guy who lived a mile away. It was sitting on the street with a fore sale sign on it. I had to have it. I bought it the next day. $4,000 bucks---in 1977 dollars). It was a single tone silver 64 (not the original color but very cool. Perfect shade of silver with its chrome wire wheels). I drove it home in a cloud of ecstasy but when I got it home it was too low to the ground get up my steep driveway with out ripping the deep throaty double chrome pipe aftermarket exhaust system, so I reluctantly left it on the street in front of my house under a protective cover. Mind you, it was a nice quiet family neighborhood in Woodland Hills, CA with young families and dogs and cats and kids and pepper trees, which incidentally, were planted by the man who actually started Woodland Hills. Ok, here is the sad part. Someone stole my cool little Healey in less than nine months! But, here's the thing, it had a kill switch that only the former owner who lived a mile away would have known about. When I went over to tell him my sad story he didn't really act all that shocked or surprised. Hemmm . . . who knows, though he remains my number one suspect--maybe it was not him, maybe it was another thief who just pushed it off in the dead of night. I know it was stolen at night because it was gone on an early Tuesday morning. What a drag. I was only 24 and it was my first car which I acquired purely for my pleasure, driving through the So California canyons on a Sunday afternoon; maybe a Thursday night . . .) Oh and Jay, I just loved how you really played with the overdrive. I loved my overdrive, how it slid me into that long-legged feel. You are truly a car guy.

[@devoro9412]

Such a beautiful piece of mechanical art!!!

[@jasonfarnsworth5880]

I love Jay schooling people on old equipment, J is the OG master

[@MFKR696]

If I had to pick between a Bugatti, a Lambo, a Ferrari or a Healey, I'd pick the Healey any day of the week. Easily one of my favorite designs of all time.

[@barrybend7189]

Give me a 70's triumph.

[@MrGaryGG48]

There are very interesting models in all of those brands but the span between an Austin Healey or a Triumph and Ferrari or Bugatti country is easily a factor of 100 for many of them. An important consideration (aside from how much to you have to play with...) is that when you get a Healey or a Triumph back together and running well, you can enjoy driving on the street without risk of a heart attack when some bozo backs out of a driveway without looking. In the Bugatti, whether you get hit or not your heart rate is likely to set a new record!!

[@donaldleavy4379]

I have to beg to differ with you on that one park at 2:50 Ferrari next to that not to mention you could probably buy 10 of those Healeys for the price of one Ferrari from that area so it’s kind of apples and oranges but it is a very nice car I’ve driven them they’re fairly powerful they handle cool fun car very nice I’ve driven several

[@donaldleavy4379]

WOW ITS OK JUST LEAVE THAT SPARE BOUNCING AROUND.. I don’t keep a spare in a performance car EVER.. I use a CELL PHONE.

[@DarkKatzy013]

What a little monster. I have always loved those little cars. What a magnificent specimen.

[@marcijunebug]

Jay...no matter the car I always LOVE each and every episode! Thanks for doing these, love the stories and you are right...it’s about cool cars, but more about cool cars WITH stories!

[@carnut1936]

BACK IN 57' I WAS STATIONED IN LONG BEACH, CA. I HAD ONE MORE YEAR TO GO ON MY ENLISTMENT IN THE NAVY.I ALWAYS LOVED SPORT CARS SO I DESIDED TO BUY ONE TO DRIVE BACK HOME TO ST.LOUIS.(YOU JUST DIDN'T SEE ANY SPORT CARS BACK THERE IN 57').I LOOKED AT LOTS OF DIFFERANT SPORT CARS IN LONG BEACH,,JAGS XK120,MG'S BUT WHEN I SAW THE 55' AUSTEN HEALEY 100/4 ITH THOSE BEAUTIFULL LINES I NEW IT WAS PERFECT FOR ME.TO THIS DAY I THINK IT HAS THE PERFECT BODY LINES,AND HAS A GREAT SOUNDING EXAUST....SIGH,,I WISH I STILL HAD IT,I TRULY LOVED THAT CAR.....

[@mrpicky1868]

the profile of this car is perfect :')

[@GarySmythe]

My brother had a 58 Healey 100 . It had the coolest sounding motor. Loved that car!!!

[@Doctor_Robert]

24:24 I laughed a bit more than I should have at the cloud of smoke when they started up. Completely delightful!

[@daveanderson5680]

Pretty normal startup smoke cloud for an older English car....it has 18k miles on it.

[@Doctor_Robert]

@@daveanderson5680 I gathered... Needs to be driven more! XD

[@jerrytee2688]

@Chuck Finley He's barely driven it.

[@jerrytee2688]

@Chuck Finley Right, I agree.

[@craigpennington1251]

This is Healey. The right look, stance, and detail stands out above the rest. Best part is the he didn't trash it up like many do. This is nice.

[@flickmybic7174]

Truly a drivable work of art. That baby purrs!

[@jeriatrix4526]

A little late to the party but a 59 100/6 was my first sports car. Four wheel drum brakes, two SU carbs, the old lever shock absorbers, crazy complicated cloth top. Had the overdrive switch wired through an old time foot operated dimmer switch so it would shift in any gear, not just into fifth from fourth. An eight speed transmission, in other words. Finally sold it and bought a TR4. Fond memories.

[@anthonyray5515]

Such a time honored classic.

[@travisolson9190]

Great idea to add a part on how to use the overdrive. Ive got no idea how many times I went out on drives with a local British club and they shock the hell out of the overdrive.

[@elistickband]

That would look good in the Austin-Healey section of my garage.

[@loftsatsympaticodotc]

Always entertaining Jay. You elicited a great retelling of "the story" of how Garth recovered the car... and where it may eventually go. I have 5 rotted out manual '71' Opel GT's, each with a story... and every time I look at them, I feel sad, as vandalism and weather took its toll !

[@ABC-rh7zc]

That side profile is perfection

[@spikespa5208]

The epitome of "roadster".

[@captainboggles]

By far, the BEST looking healey I've seen. Nicer front end than the 3000. and about the best episode of JLG yet.

[@rrrkumar1]

Classic example of old world British motoring pleasure!!! Thanks, Jay. I am a regular viewer of this spot for the last five years. Keep up the good work.

[@ericdaly4959]

My best friend had Healeys back in the day and I always got a kick out of the effect when we were driving and he flipped the overdrive switch....this brings back memories. Thanks, Jay.

[@domingodeanda233]

One hell of a beautiful car, love it.

[@williamjamesgibson]

I just bought a 77 mgb with an overdrive. Thank you Jay for explaining the OD. I had been told to let off the gas before engaging the OD.

[@gordmummery]

Great story! Makes me want to try to find buy and back my TR6 I had in college.

[@brucebarthold5359]

Me, too. Had a 1976 TR-6 I sold when reassigned to Germany in 1988. Loved that little car and really regret not storing it for our return stateside.

[@marcswanson7066]

Beautiful. I (stupidly) sold my black 61 3000 Mk1 so long ago that I had forgotten about the wonderful adjustable steering wheel until watching this video. Like the switch activated overdrive, it always worked flawlessly and without requiring much effort.

[@jorgendahl5024]

Love the sound of that engine.

[@michaelzimmerman635]

I always get a tinge of regret when Jay talks about wrapping his Galaxie around a tree back in his youth. I did the same in my 67 Chevelle SS, but in my case it was a light pole. After 35 years trotting around the world with the USAF, any thought of recreating those times is nothing but a pipe dream.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Austin-Healey's are awesome little cars. Absolutely great to cruise in !!!!!!!

[@bcgrittner]

During the late 1960's, older brother Dennis and his best friend Ray did a bunch of rallying, mostly in British cars. Multiple Jaguar XK 140's, an XKE, a Morris Minor 1000, which I owned briefly, and other non-British cars. Ray had an Austin-Healey 100-6, which I rode in. The Laycock de Normanville overdrive did not work. I have since learned there is an electric plunger that is accessed from the top of the transmission that is easily replaced, and that solves the problem. Even as a passenger, with a 3 inch lap belt with a quick release, the assault on the senses was second to none. The sounds, the smalls, the visual field you experienced were unforgettable. Dennis and Ray are both gone now, but the experiences of riding in, and working on, those classic British cars, were an education in what cars were all about.

[@pablojose4890]

I fell in love with this car when it was on "Leave It To The Beaver."

[@172-e5s]

How about the gay version when it was on 'Leave it...it's Beaver' lol

[@iammaximus614]

Shows then we’re the Best along with Happy Days

[@jerrytee2688]

@@172-e5s 😀😀😀

[@jimpal]

I had a 1960 Healey 3000 (one year upgrade from this one, including stock disc brakes in front). Good as this one sounds, the stock Healey sounded even better. I did notice that , when driving, the left front wheel camber looks extreme. Great car and great show!

[@robertbeirne9813]

Best of Jay’s videos I have watched. He asked all the questions, I was thinking of. One of my favorite cars, and loved the mods. And Jay didn’t say “oh, okay” a hundred times.

[@siddhantshetty7894]

Oh my god that beauty sounds amazing 🤑

[@JnixMarshel]

I've always wanted to drive one. Growing up had a neighbor with a very clean one.

[@Xaltar_]

Those triple side draft Webbers sound fantastic. When I was a kid my dad had a pair of them on a Chrysler slant 6 and I will never forget the throaty sound it made when you dropped the hammer. To my ears it just sounds more refined than modern cold air intake setups, those are great too but they don't have the same flavor.

[@lobmin]

@@Xaltar_ Agreed. Same with 4 cylinders with dual webers

[@dheujsnrhfydhehehshshhdggsd]

Glad you liked it. Sounds out of tune to me. Was grating.

[@soaringvulture]

@@Xaltar_ Webers on a slant six? Now that's exotic.

[@bigsparky8888]

I ALMOST BOUGHT A 100-4 A 57 YEAR...RAN SO GREAT TOO...STOCKTON, CA 1966...300.00 WOW...I DID NOT KNOW BODY WAS HAND MADE ALUMINUM...

[@hertzair1186]

Great guest...he’s a genuine car guy, all-around good bloke...

[@craigmonteforte1478]

Wow !I envy Garth in my 40s i got pretty sick as the results of a series of Strokes and i wound up losing 2 Antique MGs that were my fathers and one of them he and i spent many nights and weekends restoring it the car was also stored inmy Grandparents garage for many years and my Grandfather who was a body and fender man originally leaded and Laquered a big portion of the car at this point inmy life i don’t know where the cars are as i was heavily medicated when they were sold by someone else i do look over Classifieds and others online i got a kick out of you guys discussing the parts available today compared to only a few years ago ... ThankyounSterling Moss and Mr .Coker i bet having those Speedster seats does change the feel a little bit that was smart thinking ! one time i had the drivers seat out of a MGB i owned for 14 years and for giggles i drove the car sitting onthe floor it felt like i was doing a hundred miles a hour going around the block i love the exhaust note on the “Big “ Six

[@jahbay]

This reminds me of my dad's 67 MGB. It had the opposite sort of life. We went everywhere with that. Duck hunting ball games road trips Etc. It had no backseat. But we still piled kids in and went to baseball practice. It got stuck several times while duck hunting. One of the wheels fell off and kept going down the highway. Not the greatest car but it was a blast nonetheless.

[@michaelscott356]

Wheel fell off? Says more bout the owner than the car! LOL

[@jahbay]

@@michaelscott356 Be cool guy..... It fell off because the dude at the gas station did not know how to work on a vehicle with knock off wheels.

[@michaelscott356]

Mine was a BRG 69. Also went everywhere, including a non-stop trip from Kitchener to Daytona for Bike Week with my old man. What a great time we had. RIP, Professor Scott!

[@DiddleyBoh]

Possible coincidence: In 1965, I roomed with a guy at San Jose State who owned a beautiful new Healey 100-6. I drove the car frequently, and it sounded wonderful! It was still stock black with a black interior and overdrive. Although this one was white before it was painted unexciting red, it could be the same car. For some reason, they didn't mention the neat Ferrari-style custom grille, which is definitely different from the original chrome-rimmed wide-oval A-H piece. The windshield and the wheel openings are also nicely done. Overall, the car is a tasty refinement of the original Healey. And it has the original engine!