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Body panels from A.H. spares

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BOBBYR

BOBBYR

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Hi Gang,
I hope everyone is doing well. I just ordered a trunk floor from austin healey spares and was wondering if any of you have used their body panels.I am not looking to bash vendors. Just trying to get opinions on fit and strength. As always I appreciate your input.Thanks,
Bobby R
 
Hey Bobby,
I have used both AH Spares sheet metal and Kilmartin. Know Kilmartin is
considered the best out there. The two sheet metal parts I did get
from AH Spares - a rear tonneau cover - flip up access panel over batteries- for my BN6 and the panel that fits between the transmission cover and bulkhead
had to be "adjusted" to fit properly. But knowing the way they stand behind
their products, if it is way off, let them know and they will either send you
a new one or credit you for the poor fitting one.
Regards,
Mike
 
If I ever need Healey sheet metal parts again, I will use only Kilmartin. My knowledge comes from having to replace all floors, sills, rockers, outriggers and both crossmembers. Don't ask why I didn't go with a new chassis. I've been asking myself that question for several years.
 
Hey Gang,
Thanks for the response. Actually, the panel they sent me (received it today) looks like a pretty good fit and heavy gauge.Hey Cutlass, I've been thinking of a new frame also.How hard was it to do the outriggers?As you can see ,I'm pretty confused on which way to restore this car. Thanks again for your help,
Bobby R
 
Bobby: If all you are doing is replacing the outriggers, it should be pretty easy, for the critical part of locating the sills and rockers will not have to be re-done. I had to replace all, which meant taking very careful measurements of all existing parts before cutting out the rusted junk. In the end it worked pretty well. But I worked on the chassis for almost a year. And, most importantly, I had the car fully disassembled, and mounted on a home made rotisserie, thus no upside down welding. If you are trying to replace outriggers while lying on the floor, then you're a better man than I.

One tip on outriggers: The rear outriggers are under more load than the front, for they mount the rear springs. I saw an article once about how the racers placed an extra gussett on each rear outrigger. I did also, and that makes me feel a lot better about putting that new member onto the old frame, for it spreads the stresses over a much larger area. I also added an additional cross brace to the cruciform center brace.
 
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