I can understand that not everyone will want to do this, but I taught both
my kids to drive the Healey when they reached 18. In the Healey. I didn't
have another stick shift car but I don't think I would have used it anyway.
First they had to listen to a lecture on the car's mechanics and what was
happening when they pressed pedals and moved levers. Then we went to the
car and I had them watch the action of the pedals and levers. We popped
the bonnet and watched the rods move to the carbs. If they don't understand
what's happening, it's magic and we're not magicians. Then it was dry-drive
time. In the car and practice the shift pattern until they could go into
any gear as I said the numbers randomly. The car was started and kept in
neutral with the hand brake on while they once again went through the
numbers. Then learn the acclerator pedal. How far does it go before
anything happens? It's more responsive than most cars and that's why they
hiccough down the road so much when learning. Put it in second gear (again,
with brake on) and slowly let the clutch out to feel where you begin to
transfer power. Do not stand in front of the car when they do this.
Finally, following the suggestion of someone on the list, I had them begin
on a small downhill stretch so the initial inertia of getting the car moving
was diminished. Luckily we live in a cul-de-sac at the bottom of such a
hill. From there we went to a large flat space without light poles. Get it
into second gear without grinding. Pull back slowly on the shift lever,
acclerate just a bit and feel when it wants to move in.
Now, did they stall it out? Yeah, a few times. Did they go hop-hop-hop
down the street a couple of times? Yeah. Did they split their faces open
smiling? Yeah. Do they still drive it today with the same clutch? Yes
again, same smiles.
You can start them on another car, but the transfer of skill isn't going to
be complete and some time they'll have to unlearn the "ease" of shifting a
modern transmission and start paying attention to what the Healey is telling
them. You'll be just as nervous then as you would be starting them in what
they're actually going to drive in the first place. The Healey is tougher
than we think, We just spend so much time and money maintaining them that we
start to baby them a bit. To each his own, but it can be done to start with
in the Healey and then you'll hardly ever see the car again. Except when
the fuel pump dies or the radiator hose blows. Then it's "DAD!!!!"
Bill Moyer, BJ7
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