AUSTIN HEALEY 3000

Our long term project of the Austin Healey 3000 BJ8 has been collected today by its owners and is off on a tour of the UK before being shipped to their home in Australia.  The car arrived in a very sorry state albeit bearing a brand new MOT!  We have carried out a full restoration including engine rebuild, bodywork and re-spray, new trim, re-chroming, etc. and its owner was thrilled when he came to pick the car up this morning.  We are sorry to see it go, but with the chilly summer weather here in Scotland we are sure Australia is more appealing.

Bidding the Healey a fond farewell



Parcel tape was holding some parts
together!




Corrosion clearly visible




Part way through the restoration




Nearing the end with the new trim
being fitted




Work even has to be carried out on
new parts - the replacement hood
was 6" too wide at the back and 2"
too wide at the front so needed
alterations to fit correctly




The finished car ready for collection



Rolls-Royce Radiators

I have just been watching a fascinating video about the fabrication of Rolls-Royce radiators.

Austin Healey 3000 Test drive

Ian has been out over the last few days putting some miles on the Austin Healey so that it can undergo a 500 mile service before being collected at the end of the week and sent off to its new home in Australia.

Friday saw him (with Raymond) across to Killin and back via Loch Tay, Aberfeldy and Pitlochry and then it was up into Aberdeenshire and Speyside on Saturday.  The car is performing well and currently having one or two minor adjustments so that it is ready for the weekend.

AUSTIN HEALEY 3000

The Austin Healey is now nearing completion.  This has been a huge project following its purchase on Ebay.  The trim is being fitted as I type and the last mechanical parts are being fitted before its MOT test next week.  We will then need to run it in and carry out its 500 mile service prior to collection at the end of the month.  Following a tour of the UK by the car's owners, it will be heading for its new home in Australia.



Trim being fitted up



WORKSHOP UPDATE

We are now all back from our various holidays and on the go again.

The work on the WILLYS JEEP is now finished and it is off for MOT on Thursday - the first time it has been on the road for 13 years

The BENTLEY S3 CONTINENTAL is also just about finished and, again, has an MOT on Thursday.

The VAUXHALL 30-98 is back with us due to engine problems.  These appear to have been caused by poor repairs at some time in the past.  Following investigation, including compression and leak down tests, we have found that there is a crack in the cylinder block between  the bore and the valve on No 3 cylinder.  There is a small clip of one of the tests being carried out below:

Our own BULLNOSE MORRIS engine rebuild is finished and the clutch and gearbox have been fitted prior to putting it all back in the car.  Hopefully the sunshine will continue and we can get some outings before rain stops play!

We have also had a number of smaller jobs on the go including changing the alternator on a VW Beetle for some passing German tourists, the red Derby Bentley has been in for a quick service before heading off for a continental tour and Ian had a wee bit of work on an Austin 7 too.

ROY ON STAGE

Come along and see our very own Roy on stage in The King and I

Tickets available on the night or in advance from Roy at MVE