UPHOLSTERY WORK

The interior kit was purchased from an upholstery shop and I had hoped the panels would be fabricated and ready to install.  Not only were they not ready for installation, they were not even made correctly.  But, no worries.  

I used the original plywood panels as patterns and attached the new panels to the original frames.  It gave me a chance to flex my carpenter muscles.  They fit perfectly.  Now all that remains is covering the panels with red vinyl.

Even though it is Sunday, John spent the day at the shop.  We are a few days past deadline on paintwork and we are trying to stay on schedule.  We really appreciate the great work John is doing and his dedication to this project.  John is one of those people that actually takes pride in his work...a rare find these days.

While John was painting the front fender coves and trimming the rockers, he found the time to paint the cooling fan shroud.  As original...

This engine compartment, my friends, is the epitome of attention to detail.

The archive listing of this blog contains detailed step-by-step photos and narratives regarding this restoration since it began late last December.  Please direct any comments and questions to tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com.

8 days a week...

Tom McCurry 

Materials and equipment purchased from:

Moss Motors (mossmotors.com)

Victoria British (victoriabritish.com)

Eastwood (eastwood.com)

The Roadster Factory (the-roadster-factory.com)

English Parts (englishparts.com)

Napa Auto Parts (napaonline.com)

MORE ABOUT PAINT

John and I are on double time these days.  With the deadline of November 2 getting closer, we are working longer hours and seven days a week.  Today we applied the first of the Old English White to the front fenders.  

The plan dictates that we install the front fenders on monday, complete with lighting.  I realize that is a long order, but I think we can do it.

Yesterday, we fabricated the upholstery quarter panels.  The base of these panels are made of plywood and the originals had begun to delaminate.  Now the new frames have been rough fitted and they are ready for upholstery material.  Photos will follow.

The archive listing of this blog contains detailed step-by-step photos and narratives regarding this restoration since it began late last December.  Please direct any comments and questions to tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry 

Materials and equipment purchased from:

Moss Motors (mossmotors.com)

Victoria British (victoriabritish.com)

Eastwood (eastwood.com)

The Roadster Factory (the-roadster-factory.com)

English Parts (englishparts.com)

Napa Auto Parts (napaonline.com)

WORK CONTINUES ON DASH AND PAINT

Assembling the dash is not that difficult if you are a young man, but if you are 65 years old, it is a bit more strenuous.  Speaking of age...a unique story.  Tim and I celebrate our birthday on the same day, and this morning I discovered that Paxton, our welder, shares the occasion.  What are the odds of three people involved in the same restoration sharing the same birthday?  Maybe we should buy a group lottery ticket.  Anyway, I spent the day under the dash...again.  There were a few issues with the wiring harness that required additional work, but now it is complete.  I also had the opportunity to install the new steering wheel.  We plan to fit the control head for the steering wheel tomorrow.

John painted both front fenders today.  Tomorrow they will be blocked one last time and buffed.

They should be ready for installation on Saturday.

The archive listing of this blog contains detailed step-by-step photos and narratives regarding this restoration since it began late last December.  Please direct any comments and questions to tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com.

I love this Healey, and it loves me.

We're as happy as we can be.

Tom McCurry 

Materials and equipment purchased from:

Moss Motors (mossmotors.com)

Victoria British (victoriabritish.com)

Eastwood (eastwood.com)

The Roadster Factory (the-roadster-factory.com)

English Parts (englishparts.com)

Napa Auto Parts (napaonline.com)

FASTENERS AND WIRES

Yesterday, my post was devoted to the installation of the dash and fitting the grille.  However, the dash and front shroud require a bit more work than can be accomplished in one day.  So, we spent the day fastening the front shroud to the chassis and completing the wiring underneath the dash.

Fastening the shroud to the chassis is not difficult, only time consuming.  This operation required almost half a day...small fasteners in limited access areas. 

Fitting the dash to the cowl is only a small part of completing the instrument installation.  I realize, the dash looks much the same as it did yesterday, but the majority of the work lies underneath the dash.  As of the close of business today, most of the wiring under the dash is complete and all the gauges have been installed. 

The archive listing of this blog contains detailed step-by-step photos and narratives regarding this restoration since it began late last December.  Please direct any comments and questions to tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com.

I love this car...

Tom McCurry 

Materials and equipment purchased from:

Moss Motors (mossmotors.com)

Victoria British (victoriabritish.com)

Eastwood (eastwood.com)

The Roadster Factory (the-roadster-factory.com)

English Parts (englishparts.com)

Napa Auto Parts (napaonline.com)

BUILDING THE DASH

Tim worked with John and I today and we accomplished quite a lot.  We had covered the dash with vinyl several weeks ago and had mounted some of the devices.  Some of the gauges and switches, however, could not be fitted until the dash was mounted to the car.  

Today we fastened the dash in place and began to install the remaining devices.  Tim has a very good understanding of the car's systems so he and I made a great team.  

Since the water temperature "sensor" is permanently attached to the gauge, it must be fed through the hole in the dash and then routed through the firewall to the engine block.  Its permanent installation is shown in the photo to the right.

Tim and I also fitted the lower trim on the grille.  It wasn't a particularly easy task but we were very patient with it and the end result was certainly worth the effort.

Tomorrow we plan to complete the wiring under the dash which will complete that installation.  John will begin to apply RED to the front fenders.  If all goes as planned the paintwork should be completed by close of business next Monday.

The project completion date is November 2...the day before the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance, and I am pleased that we are on schedule.  This car WILL be completed on time.

The archive listing of this blog contains detailed step-by-step photos and narratives regarding this restoration since it began late last December.  Please direct any comments and questions to tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com.

I love this car...

Tom McCurry 

Materials and equipment purchased from:

Moss Motors (mossmotors.com)

Victoria British (victoriabritish.com)

Eastwood (eastwood.com)

The Roadster Factory (the-roadster-factory.com)

English Parts (englishparts.com)

Napa Auto Parts (napaonline.com)

FITTING THE FRONT SHROUD

The front shroud and grille are without a doubt the focal point of the Austin Healey 3000.  The "lines" of this car are no less than stunning and the grille is classic in design.  

We have yet to complete the installation of all the parts of the grille, but you can plainly see, this car is truly a "work of art".

After the grille, front badge, and windshield washer nozzles were fitted, the front shroud is ready to be installed.  Tim, who is visiting the shop this week, helped with the installation.  It is definitely a three man job.  

You will notice Tim in the background just waking up from his nap.  Those camera flashes can be annoying.
Tim was pleased with the quality of the work in general and very impressed with the paint.

The project completion date is November 2...the day before the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance, and I am pleased that we are on schedule.  This car WILL be completed on time.

The archive listing of this blog contains detailed step-by-step photos and narratives regarding this restoration since it began late last December.  Please direct any comments and questions to tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com.

Such a beautiful car...

Tom McCurry 

Materials and equipment purchased from:

Moss Motors (mossmotors.com)

Victoria British (victoriabritish.com)

Eastwood (eastwood.com)

The Roadster Factory (the-roadster-factory.com)

English Parts (englishparts.com)

Napa Auto Parts (napaonline.com)