BJ 7 [# 24937] Restoration Pics

[pbraun]

Yeah, Radford, me, too! I worked 20 hours on the car this week, and feel like I am making big progress. The new, correct wiring harness is installed and partically hooked up, proper generator obtained, stuff for zinc plating sent out to be done, including a light dusting on the throttle linkage pieces, carbs temporariarly installed, replacement parts needed procured and installed, much stuff sand blasted, being painted today. The dash, cover and windscreen to be installed soon!
Unfortunately, I lost my most recent pictures and can't post any of the newest work......oh, well, we'll all just have to go to the Healey Conclave in North Carolina to see the car running and rolling and in its finest hour!
Can't wait!
See ya there!

 

[pbraun]

25 new pics added today : https://calabashcattery.com/4images

Check out the brand new Dunlop 48 spoke wheels, right out of the box from the 60's.......carburators installed, linkage getting zinc plated, hope to start motor soon, dash going in soon, waiting instrument return.

Any and all comments welcome, as we attempt to meet the AHC concours specifications as closely as possible.
Thanks for all the good feedback so far.
Cheers,

 

[anthony7777]

hay pbraun,its tony from stamford,look i passed on the 65 red bj7,but may 12 was my birthday and i treated myself to a 63 bj7 black,red interior,mostly redone,not too rough around the edges,and having a blast with it,ill try to run over to the mini shop soon to say high,maybe we can get together so i can see how your beauty is coming along.ladda gadda! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[John Loftus]

Peter,

Looking great! Did you know that at least some BJ7's have two special brackets to secure the petroflex line to the front carb? I think it shows in the snapshot you are holding in front of the carb installation. Below are a few links that show the brackets (photos curtesy of Ed at JustBrits). I can take a better picture of an individual bracket if you need.

bracket 1
bracket 2
bracket 3

BTW, do you mind telling me where you ordered your petroflex line (fuel pipe to carb) and the radiator cap? I've got those on my list of things to get still.

Thanks,
John

 

[pbraun]

John,
Thanks! No. I didn't know about those brackets! Which BJ7s had them? Early cars, or later ones, like ours? Gads! - yet another thing I might have to rush out and panic about before the Conclave!.... Great pics BTW, they are very visible and shown well - thanks!
The line was from a friend at Sports & Classics, in Darien, CT, and the rad cap is original!
I was just talking with Al from CT tonight, about the BJ7 padding on the doors - I know I read here something about that - will have to check, as we are just installing ours - I think we have the right pattern, but now he got me wondering about the material being of a softer nature....... hummmmmm.
anyway, it is too late for me tonight... must get some shut eye time..... later!

Thanks to you!!!!!!!!
Peter

 

[John Loftus]

[ QUOTE ]
John,
Which BJ7s had them? Early cars, or later ones, like ours?

[/ QUOTE ]

Peter, I think all the BJ7's had them because it helps to route the long petroflex line, keeping it off the manifolds. I may have an extra set (I have an extra BJ7 parts engine) so will take a look for you. Anyone have an extra original radiator cap?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Cheers,
John

 

[pbraun]

email on the way to you!

 

[pbraun]

Hey, Anthony! Missed your post the other day - sorry!...Glad to hear you got a BJ 7 ! Ours is black with a red interior, too! It's almost done the loooooong restoration - pics at : https://calabashcattery.com/4images

The car will be at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance on June 5th, along with another 64 - a BJ8, original and unrestored, with 5500 miles on the clock, same color combination, so it will be definitely interesting to make some comparisons and observations, etc....as well as a great photo op.
Yeah, stop on in to the MINI store to say hi anytime - actually, only after 3 pm, as I have a "day" job, too!
Hope to meet soon!
Cheers,

 

[pbraun]

Come and look around some more : 34 pics added tonight:

https://calabashcattery.com/4images

Any feedback greatly appreciated! TIA

 

[GregW]

Looks fantastic. It's pretty impressive that I can read "Austin" reflected on the inside of the hood. (I'm referring to the quality of the paint) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[pbraun]

Thanks, Greg!

Is this the correct Lucas headlight?

 

[John Loftus]

[ QUOTE ]
Any feedback greatly appreciated! TIA

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Peter,

Looks like it is really coming together and overall it is looking very impressive. Still, I saw a few things that might not be right. Is that the correct license plate bracket for the BJ7? Mine has a simple bracket that attaches to the rear shroud and the chrome lamp mounts to the inside of the bumper. I think you might have a BJ8 bracket there. I don't believe the BJ7 soft top has the sewn-on drip rail over the windows and the extra flap at the end of the drip rail. Also, I don't see the rear squab, i.e. the backrest for the rear seats. Is that one of the last things going in?

The above, probably not as important for a multi-marque concours (depending on the judges expertise) but when you get the real Healey Dealey it all adds up!

Cheers,
John

 

[GregW]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this the correct Lucas headlight?

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Peter,
Sorry, Concours questions are not one of my strong points. Anyone?

 

[pbraun]

Yeah, you're right, John, that rear license plate bracket is wrong - we are looking for a correct one now, some things are still missing, choke knob should have the large "C", for example, and a few other small bits we are rushing about frantically trying to fix up just so!
The carbs are just temporary...some furflex is missing, as are the grab handles and window handles, also, we need another decal for the hydralic canister with the small white block lettering BRAKE, and CLUTCH, and the screws on the o/d relay need to be simple flat slot heads, not the slot/phillips now fitted.
Other than that...... wish I knew what else we need to get it to conform to the Originality Guide for the Healey Concours Committee's standards. We are working hard to get all the right stuff done. It sure is a long road, and winding, too /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif, but the feeling of satisfaction with a job well done is begining to grow as well.

 

[stevebn2bj7]

Great job on the car. I have a 63 BJ7 as well and look forward to seeing you at Conclave. Noticed one thing. The serial number plate looks like the Moss Motors part. The one from AH Spares is more correct. It has a silver border around the edge and the font is closer to the originals. Pic is attached. AH Spares also has the chokew cable with the correct "C" on it. They may have the plate bracket as well, if not British Car Specialists should have it as Kilmartin makes it.

 

[DerekJ]

I have a question.

Should the body number plate be painted body colour? Wasnt it already attached when the bodies were painted?

Derek

 

[John Loftus]

[ QUOTE ]
choke knob should have the large "C" ....
decal for the hydralic canister with the small white block lettering BRAKE, and CLUTCH,

[/ QUOTE ]

Peter, I purchased an original (used) choke cable from a BJ7 owner and it looks just like yours. I'm wondering when they changed over from the "C" to the "Choke".

For the Brake and Clutch, the Concours Guidelines recommends transfer lettering, 12pt. Helvetica. I'm guessing that it was originally printed on the canister, not a decal. A good art supply/drafting store should carry the white letraset lettering. After application, a coat of clear will keep it from rubbing off too easily.

Good luck with the gazillion little details.

Cheers,
John

 

[pbraun]

Thank you all very much for your comments!...
Steve - Right you are!....... Don't know where that number plate came from, but it should have the silver edge.
Derek - I am pretty sure the body number plates were unpainted. Will check again. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
John - That's really interesting! I have access to a book that has the changeover points, so I sure will check that on Tuesday!

I don't know if I will survive all this little items! but, then again, I guess when I signed up for the concours thing, that's what I was asking for , after all!

Happy Weekend!

 

[Richard Dickinson]

Nice photos and a very nice car. Could you give a little run down on how you stripped the car and what paint system you used?

 

[pbraun]

Sure, Richard...... It was chemically stripped by one of those dip systems - big vats, several washes afterwards - gets all paint off, and any questionable metal, too.
The paint is regualr ole PPG black, several coats, on top of a good primer. If you want more details, I can get those.

We have changed a few things this week - license plate bracket is correct now, cheese head screws on the throttle relay, grille has the bottom 1/2" painted silver, cotter pin on the throttle switch is replaced,proper air control knobs on, pull handles and door knobs on......hydraulic reservoir cannister has the right lettering now, but still in search of a proper top! (Black)

******Need a clip-in rear window!!!!!! ********

Anyone have one for sale??????? please, please, please