Triumph vs. Healey
By Fred Sherk
During their years of production, Triumph and Austin Healey were fierce rivals in rallies, races and showrooms across Europe and the USA. Both Marques had considerable successes and developed a loyal fan base that continues to this day. Triumph and Healey owners tend to join their various single Marque clubs, convinced of the superiority of their chosen British car. But what happens when you own one of each? Is one better than the other? After a great summer of driving both cars I have formed some opinions on this question.
My 1967 Austin Healey 3000 and 1976 TR6 can be described as clean, well maintained drivers. Both cars are in line six cylinder, four speed/overdrive optional, roll up window convertibles. They are about the same height, length, width and weight. Both engines are stock but the TR6 lost some of its emission equipment and found some K&N air filters. The Healey engine is 325cc larger. A better overall comparison could probably be made between the Healey and its contemporary, the TR 250, but John Krause would not loan me his pride and joy for the summer.
Styling is a matter of taste but no one ever found fault with the curvaceous lines of a Healey. To me, the Healey is one of the most beautiful sports cars ever produced. The late TR6 has one thing that detracts from its appearance, the rubber bumper guards. I like the wire wheels on the Healey, which were not available on later TR6s but the TR6 wheels look fine. Bumpers aside, the TR6’s squared chiseled look and Healey’s curves both convey power and a no nonsense approach to driving, just in different ways.
When it comes to comfort I prefer the TR6. At my advanced age and poundage, getting in and out of the Healey is more difficult because the doors are not as wide and the car is lower. The Healey seating position is more upright and closer to the steering wheel, very vintage, but I like a little more elbowroom. Once in the Healey, it rides better than the TR6. I like the gauge arrangement in the TR6 more but I like the Healey’s burl walnut dash and toggle switches more than the matte finish dash and rocker switches in the TR6. Unwanted heat into the interior is not a factor in the TR6 but at times the Healey can toast your toes.
Handling is a tossup. I expected the rack and pinion steering of the TR6 to be superior but the Healey surprised me. I actually prefer the simplicity of the Healey’s live rear axle to the TR6’s IRS. Brakes on both cars are servo assisted and perform equally well. The larger size of the Healey engine is evident during acceleration and the engine seems to reach shifting RPMs quicker. With overdrive, the Healey¹s top speed is probably greater but I have never taken either car to the limit. At about 80 mph the Healey seems to have more reserve. The TR6 is not fitted with overdrive and the gearing is quite different. For cruising, the TR6 is just as good as the Healey. A big plus for the TR6 is first gear syncro, an absolute necessity when one gets behind an Amish buggy or an MG. Because the TR has better ground clearance than the Healey, driving over the speed bumps at Allenberry, pebbles or cigarette packs are of no concern. Parts availability is great for both cars but Healey parts are a little more expensive. The TR6 has more trunk space, but the Healey has more space behind the seats. The TR6 is easier to work on because of the wide bonnet. The Healey has the little swivel vent windows I like.
The TR6 and Austin Healey are more alike than different. They are among Britain’s greatest gifts to the civilized world. The biggest difference in these two cars has nothing to do with their quality or performance. The biggest difference is price. According the latest BRITISH CAR magazine, BJ8 Model Healeys in good driving condition are bringing $28,000 or more at auction. Concours quality Healeys top $42,000. Although rising, TR6’s prices have not reached this level. Why the price difference? I think there are two reasons. One, over 94,000 TR6s were produced, but only about 17,700 BJ8 Healeys. Production of TR2 through TR6 was about 250,000. Big Healeys, 1953-68, reached 72,000. Triumph’s past sales success keeps prices lower now. Also, like Ferrari, Shelby, Allard and others, the Healey name carries a mystique. Donald Healey, who, as we all know once worked for Triumph, was a highly respected racer and promoter. Shelby and the Mosses, Sterling and Pat, drove Healeys. Putting the Healey name on the car made a difference in the public’s perception of the car. With all due respect to Ken Richardson and team, the TRs did not have a similar charismatic individual associated with their cars. However, for an impersonal car name, TRIUMPH is a pretty good one.
For now, I am the guardian of these two wonderful British cars. By sharing a heritage and sporting purpose, they are enough alike to be recognized as siblings, but different enough to each have their own personality. Like a devoted parent, I cherish them both.