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BN4 Restoration Up-date

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M

mvanderploeg

Senior Member
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BN4 Restoration Update

The end is in sight! Check out my homepage for the latest pictures. Caution - loads slow if you use a dial-up connection.

Perfect day for a ride in North Carolina today. 72 degrees & not a cloud in the sky.
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Re: BN4 Restoration Update

Randy,
Click on his profile, it has a link.

Mick,
It's looking really great.
D

[ 01-03-2004: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]</p>
 
Re: BN4 Restoration Update

Looks good Mick!

Was that a 3 or 5 Series sharing the garage in one of the restoration shots?

The final shot with the Z4 in the background hints of the "practical" side of sportscar ownership!

It has been so long since I drove my Healey (last registered and legally driven in 1986) and having gotten used to late model M Roadsters, I hope that I can still handle the beast!
 
Re: BN4 Restoration Update

Randy,

It's a 3 series in the other garage spot, specifically a 325Xi. On a couple of occasions, I've jumped directly from driving the Healey to driving the Z4. Doing so makes the Z4 feel like a '72 Sedan de Ville! What previously felt like very little power assist on the steering & brakes felt like way too much after the Healey. I almost launched myself through the windshield at the first stop sign!

All of the stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, etc., makes the Z4 an incredibly stable and safe car, even when driven stupidly, but it sure feels like they've taken some of the pure sportcar fun out of it after driving the Healey.
 
Re: BN4 Restoration Update

Mick,

Your car is really looking great ... thanks for the progress reports and nice pictures. It's amazing how some platers will hold your parts forever, missing deadlines and giving you every excuse in the book. I too, started to wonder if my parts were ever going to return.

Cheers,
John
 
Re: BN4 Restoration Update

As it turns out, after 6 months of waiting (and being lied to) the plater finally admitted that they had lost half of my parts ($444 worth). I sent them a list of the missing pieces with replacement costs two months ago, but I've heard nothing back from them, and now they're not returning my phone calls or emails. Getting a lawyer would cost more than the parts, so I guess I'm just out of luck. Funny thing is, I'm not sure what I would've done differently. This company came highly recommended. All I can say is, if you're considering having any plating done in the Philadelphia area, talk to me first! I'd mention their name, but I'm not sure if it's allowed on this forum.
 
Re: BN4 Restoration Update

Because I'd heard all that stuff, when I sent parts on my XK140 to the plater I enclosed a Polaroid with the the shipment so they would send me back all I sent. (I kept a copy). It worked except they sent me someone elses stuff too. I sent them back but I'm not sure they got them to the proper costumer.
 
Re: BN4 Restoration Update

What a bummer!! Especially when you consider that many of the aftermarket parts are not manufactured as well as originals.

I would write a demand letter that documents their negligence and gives them a short time to make restitution (helps to have a lawyer friend or to find a legal service that will help with collection issues). Send it certified mail or similar which gives you a proof of receipt and makes it seem like you are serious. I suppose this is out of state which means no small claims?

Anyway, go hard at them ... it's worth a try.

Cheers,
John
 
Re: BN4 Restoration Update

Beautiful car Mick! Love the blue over white color scheme. Have you had the gauges restored yet? Just received my speedometer back from Nissonger repair. It looks and works super! Highly reccommend them to repair the Smith's gauges. Oh, one other item, I've always heard the BN4's have an unusual top frame mechanism. How about a photo of the top frame?
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[ 01-09-2004: Message edited by: Johnny ]</p>
 
Re: BN4 Restoration Update

I used MoMa in New Mexico to restore the gauges. They were cleaned up nicely and work perfectly.

The early BN4s had a variety of unusual items, including the top frame. The frame actually gets "permanently" attached to the car via sliding rails behind the B pillar, which I haven't installed yet. My top frame itself is still leaning against the garage wall in it's rusted closed position. One of my winter projects is to sand it down and repaint it. I'll take a shot of it as soon as I can get it to unfold.
 
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