Original hardtops for Big Healeys are rare. They are either in very good condition or not. The one Tim purchased was definitely in need of restoration. The aluminum frame, in the photo to the right, was bent, scratched and pitted.
The frame has been straightened, sandblasted and primed with urethane primer.
The hardtop shell has been stripped and fiberglass gelcoat will be applied to repair the stress cracks. Also, fiberglass cloth and resin will be applied to the interior to reinforce the shell.
The headliner frame, pictured in the photo to the left, has been sandblasted and primed. A few small rusted areas must be repaired before final painting.
Tomorrow the top will be assembled before the fiberglass repairs are made.
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)
Apple Hydraulics (applehydraulics.com)
Coker Tire (cokertire.com)
