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


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