Finally! I realize the bodywork has been time consuming, but if we fall short on this phase of the restoration, this Healey will not represent the dedication to detail that we have invested. 
All the body panels have been primed, blocked and re-primed. The body panels have been test fitted and the body lines and margins adjusted accordingly. Now we are ready for the final blocking and RED paint. 
Bridging the gap between the transmission cover and firewall is the bell housing cover. Keep in mind that hot air is flowing beside the engine and through the transmission tunnel. In order to reduce the temperature in the cockpit of the Healey, we applied another layer of the heat shield to the bell housing cover.
The gauges were in exceptional condition; what one would expect from a car that had been in storage for so long. I removed the chrome bezels, lenses and seals and cleaned them. Tim had purchased new bezels and seals because they were compromised. After cleaning the dials, the new bezels and seals were installed. Always be careful cleaning the dials of your gauges. Some cleaners and solvents will actually remove the lettering...not a good thing. I always use Clorox Wipes.
The right side of the car was much easier to install. There was very little damage to this side, with exception to the rust repair. 
The old battery, shown in previous posts, was not correct for this car. Tim purchased a period correct "tar top" battery complete with the tray, retaining clamp and cover. We also found it necessary to replace the battery master switch. The original switch was defective. 
After a week or so of bodywork, the front shroud and fenders are ready to rough fit. We need to make sure that the fenders and shroud line up with the attachment brackets before final installation. Also, we will take this opportunity to check the alignment between the front fenders and doors and to adjust the body lines on the side. If additional bodywork is required, now is the time.
Tim was present for the start-up. He came to Hilton Head on Tuesday morning and played an integral part in starting the engine for the first time. This morning Tim, Don and I began work on the upholstery. 
All that talk about crossing "t"s and dotting "i"s payed off. We began the start-up procedure early this morning and with the exception of one defective part, it went smoothly. The defective part was a ball cock used as a coolant drain on the engine block. After being installed for four days, it decided to leak today. Fortunately, I had another new valve in stock and its replacement took less than an hour. 
After connecting the battery, turning the switch and pressing the starter button, it fired immediately. This engine ran as smoothly as any I have witnessed; the benefit of balancing an engine. Obviously the use of the quality parts, most of which were purchased from Moss Motors (mossmotors.com), and attention to detail makes the entire process less time consuming.
John, our body man, has been putting the finishing touches on the front fenders and trunk lid this past week. 
Now that we have the metal seat frames stripped and refinished, our time is devoted to restoring the mounting hardware and seat position adjusters. The position adjusters are mounted to the floor pan atop wooden slats. They could not be reused. I fabricated new ones from maple and coated them with urethane varnish. 
