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100-6 Daily Driver?

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A. Salnick

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Hi all, I have a quick question that will probably make you all laugh. How would a 59 100-6 be for a daily driver? I currently drive a 1969 TR6 that I paid 2000 bucks for. Before this, I drove an old series Land Rover and a 1958 Karmann Ghia. So, basically, I am willing to put up with a bit of discomfort to drive a neat car everyday. I guess basically I am looking for input on how it is living with it. I have worked on cars my entire life so mechanical issue and woes don’t bother me, as long as the car isn’t prone to having things like the rear end go out every 2 months. I am more concerned with things like how well does the top keep the water out. My TR6 leaked badly when I got it, but I have rounded it around with a new top and seals. Are the side curtains really that leaky? How hard is it to put the top up and down? How would you compare the driving experience in a 100-6 to my TR6? Are the drum brakes pretty sketchy? Can they be swapped for the discs of a 3000? How is the heater/defroster? Has anyone swapped it out for a better one? Anyway, any thoughts would be great. I like my TR, but I always knew that I bought it because I couldn’t afford a Healey or a jag. Now I am out of college and have a good job. My friends all bought WRX’s and whatnot. Someday I will learn and buy a car made in the last 30 years…..nah, that will never happen.
 
Salnick,You will put up with discomfort.Rear ends last for ever ,can't say the same for the driver.Healeys can also leak badly. Driving Healey may require an upgrade in your handling proficency.Side curtains are leaky.Disk brakes can be swapped in place of Drums. Heater usually broken, but when working properly will run you out of the cockpit.Welcome aboard---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
What kind of weather do you have where you live? If it rains a lot you will not like putting up the top on a 100-6 and dealing with the side curtains. A BJ7 or BJ8 with the wind up windows and a true convertible top is a little better for the wet weather. Or perhaps get a hard top!

Here in Southern California any reliable Healey would make a good daily driver as long as you didn't need to deal with the freeways during rush hour very much.

Cheers,
John
 
Why not? Did the original owner ask that question when he bought the car back in 1959?
I see it wasn't just me when I went thru 9 rears in 3 years with my Triumph. Austin rears last forever.
Heat? I would consider AC because the heat generated by the engine will bake you even with the top down and 50* out.
Side curtains and erector set tops don't sound like strangers to you so you know what you are getting into there.
Now I wonder if somebody will be asking this same question 40 years from now about their Honda /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Frank
 
My 100-6 was the car I think of when I ask myself (1) which car was the most fun to drive and (2) which car was most frustrating at times. FUN:Exciting! Ran like a bandit, and cornered like a cat in heat...fast but not always safe(it's easy to exceed the envelope without knowing it). FRUSTRATING: The top popped open when I had it at 100mph(by the speedo)...side windows and top "forgotten" at home several times (yes it rained buckets each time), the roaster..ah, I mean the heater only has two settings in winter. (legs warm & upper body solid ice, or legs roasted & upper body thawing)...and I wouldn't have traded my time with my 100-6 for anything. You don't own these cars, you have a relationship with them. Go for it, the memories will last a lifetime.
 
Okay, it's been a while now, but the Healey was my daily driver through a portion of the 70s and much of the 80s.

I'm pretty spoiled in the sportscar department right now (heated seats, 240 & 315 hp versions of BMW's M Rdstr) but I believe I could do it again and be comfortable with the notion.

In <u>all honesty</u> the Healey is a better car than the TR6. Okay, my opinion, but I've got plenty of seat time in TR-4s, 250s & 6s for comparison's sake. If you can do it in the TR-6, you can do it in the 100/6. Personal preference, but I'd try to find a two-seater version. Much cooler /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif
 
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