• Hi Guest!
    If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Terribly British Day

Share this page

CanberraBJ8

CanberraBJ8

Jedi Trainee
Offline
Its Terribly British Day here tomorrow - (all cars of british make and bikes). Just been washing the Healey, and taking a break out of the warm day before doing the chrome and vacuum. However, they've forecast rain for tomorrow morning... as a friend of mine has posted, 'How very British...'.:rolleye:
 
It looks like the weather is going to be cold enough to stop the rain ...
... and have snow instead :-(

Hans
 
On a long ago trip to Eindhoven in the Netherlands, while looking out a restaurant window, I was mesmerized by bicyclists waiting at a red light during a heavy rain. While waiting, a mother dismounted her bike to turn and talk to her young child, seated in back, as though the sun was shining brightly and warm and there was no drenching downpour on this cold November day. The waiter’s response, when addressed as to why not one of the 6 cyclists took shelter during the rainy wait, “If we went inside every time it rained we would never be outside”.

It is no surprise that our LBCs lack weather protection sophistication. However, from my experiences, they they call them “Sports Cars” because you must be a good sport to own one. At over 40MPH with the tonneau in place and the heater on, driving on a cold rainy day seems to brighten my spirits. But ... don't stop.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1
 
I've always said most LBC are only weather proof when sitting idle. The top and side curtains work great when parked, it's only when one is foolish enough to drive in foul weather that you have leaks.
:rolleye::rolleye:
 
A couple of photos from the day. Disappointing Healey turn-out - only 3 of us... Jaguar and Triumph being the best represented... But it didn't rain! Was quite hot actually.

Photos
 
Johnny said:
I've always said most LBC are only weather proof when sitting idle. The top and side curtains work great when parked, it's only when one is foolish enough to drive in foul weather that you have leaks.
:rolleye::rolleye:
Click to expand...
I have ALWAYS maintained that the ONLY difference between driving in the rain with the top up, and driving in the rain with the top down, is that not as many people laugh at you; you get just as wet!
 
It must be the way I drive them, but in 1975 when I had a 100/6 it was my daily driver and the old rag top and side screens worked perfectly, and so did the hard top. Now I have refitted the soft top on the BJ7 ( twice - I'm a glutton for punishment ) I have not yet had the pleasure of testing it properly. Note to self - next time it pours down get out there and try it. When I first bought the car we had to stuff rag into the corners where the soft top met the windscreen, when we were caught in a real down pour in 2002 at the 50th Anniversary of the Healeys at Thruxton, as a PO had cut the rubber seal at the corners - the pillock.

:cheers:

Bob
 
My BJ8 doesnt leak. In a heavy rainstorm a year or so ago a little water was dripping through under the leading edge of the hood at the top of the windscreen, but after stopping and winding the fasteners down a turn or three that stopped. However fogging was a bit more of an issue...
 
Hi Canberra

I would go along with the fogging, a real sod, once I saw a rally Healey with what I can only describe as a couple of heater elements held onto the bottom of the windscreen with rubber suckers, two suckers for each element. It did not look elegant but I supose they acted as demisters with some effect. Looked to be purpose made as well.


:cheers:

Bob
 
Bob Hughes said:
Hi Canberra

I would go along with the fogging, a real sod, once I saw a rally Healey with what I can only describe as a couple of heater elements held onto the bottom of the windscreen with rubber suckers, two suckers for each element. It did not look elegant but I supose they acted as demisters with some effect. Looked to be purpose made as well.


:cheers:

Bob
Click to expand...

Those were Lucas demisters. Here's a pic of them (along with just about every conceivable rallye toy known to mankind :encouragement:) in a Mini:

25frq4l.jpg


When I googled for a pic, I noticed Ahead4Healeys advertises they have NOS ones available.
 
Saw a Lucas demister on eBay some time ago, about the same price as AH4H
Looks they must be placed in the airflow.
Maybe thats why these little perspex plates are there ?

Weird place for the voltage regulator isn't it ....
 
I've a friend with a BJ8 rally replica, which has these fitted. I don't think he was greatly impressed with their performance. Seems the best solution is still windows down... which is not great in the rain....
 
Back
Top