DEDICATION

This blog is dedicated to the restoration of the Austin Healey 3000...among the most desirable of all British sports cars.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

THANKS TO MY TEAM AND SUPPLIERS

I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Tim and Jeri Lassiter for allowing us, Tommy's Topless Cars, to restore their 1961 Austin Healey 3000.  We have done our very best to produce a quality restoration.
Behind every quality restoration, there are many talented craftsmen and suppliers of quality materials and equipment.  I would take this opportunity to thank all these co-workers and suppliers for their dedication to this project.  
Our team strived to restore this Austin Healey 3000 BT7 to its original condition.  Every nut, bolt, gear, bushing, bearing, tube, wire and fabric on this beautiful car was either restored or replaced.  This car is in mint condition...second to none.  
Don Hurst, a dear friend and British car enthusiast, was an integral part of this team.  He was involved in this project since the first day.  His attention to detail has been greatly appreciated throughout the duration of this restoration.
Paxton Pierson, a close friend, car enthusiast and artist with a welder, was responsible for the metal fabrication and welding.  His talent extends far beyond the scope of work done on this Healey, but his availability restricted his work to this phase only.  His dedication to this project manifested itself in the precision of his work...dead solid perfect.
John Saarloos, another close friend and car enthusiast, is an absolute artist with regard to paint and bodywork.  In my experience, painters can either make a bad job look good or a good job look bad.  John has made a good job look even better.
Bill Moore, yet another friend, also helped with the restoration.  From early in the project, his focus was on parts restoration.  He was instrumental in cleaning and preparing for paint, most of the restored parts on this car.
Moss Motors (mossmotors.com) furnished most of the restorations parts for this project.  They have warehouses on both the east and west coasts of the US.  Quality parts were usually available within two or three days.  
Victoria British (victoriabritish.com) was another supplier of authentic restoration parts.  Occasionally they could furnish the parts we required in less time or at a better price.  
The Eastwood Company (eastwood.com) furnished most of the equipment.  This company has been a supplier of quality materials and equipment for automobile restoration.  Their customer service people are amazing.
APE furnished the paint and associated materials.  Their sales representative, Lonnie, was always available at my request to make sure we received our orders on a timely basis.  He also acted a technical advisor for the latest materials and techniques.
Apple Hydraulics (applehydraulics.com) rebuilt the shock absorbers and carburetors for the Healey.  Their quality of workmanship is refreshing to say the least.
This Healey will be completed in two days and we are honored to have had the opportunity to restore it.  It will be on display at the Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance on November 3, 2012.  We hope to see you there.

I remain...
Tom McCurry
Tommy's Topless Cars


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

FITTING DOOR PANELS AND HARDWARE

We received the interior panel fasteners yesterday evening.  Today I fixed all the panels in place.  The door panels were a bit difficult...patience, patience, patience.  

Tomorrow we will be installing the weather strip around the door openings.















John has been polishing and polishing and polishing.  Yes, it is as slick as it looks in this photo.  This paint appears to be "wet"...absolutely beautiful.













With the interior completed, my attention shifts to the convertible top and tonneau cover.  The wood bow at the windshield has been repaired and the metal top bow has been refinished.  We will begin the installation of the top tomorrow.












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.

84 hours remaining before the deadline...
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)
Apple Hydraulics (applehydraulics.com)
Coker Tire (cokertire.com)

Monday, October 29, 2012

MORE JEWELRY FOR MARILYN

My wife said those chrome wire wheels were like jewelry.  Marilyn is to diamond jewelry as this Healey is to chrome.  Today we fitted the polished aluminum trim around the cockpit...more jewelry. 












The cockpit trim is original.  We removed some of the more prominent   defects and polished each piece.  















After John completed the polishing and waxing on the front of the car, I installed the wiper arms and blades.
John also repaired the wood top bow that connects the convertible top to the windshield.  Tomorrow the installation of the top and tonneau will begin.










The interior trim screws we had ordered last week came in today.  They will be installed tomorrow as well, thus completing the interior.

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.

Marilyn..."The Happy Healey"
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)
Apple Hydraulics (applehydraulics.com)
Coker Tire (cokertire.com)


Saturday, October 27, 2012

CHROME WIRE WHEELS

Chrome wire wheels, more widely used on Jaguars, are the focal point of any British sports car.  While they are a chore to clean, no wheel has a more classic appearance.  

 Tim and I spent the morning fitting the vintage Michelin tires and new chrome wire wheels and knock-offs on the Healey.
 These wheels make an appreciable difference in the Healey's appearance.
 No matter what the camera angle...
And I thought this car looked great with silver wheels.

















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.

This Healey is Happy, Happy, Happy...
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)
Apple Hydraulics (applehydraulics.com)
Coker Tire (cokertire.com)