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Johnny

Johnny

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Feeling like my life hasn't been very challenging lately I decided to take my '60 BN7 out for a winter drive. The temps are in the low 30's with a stiff winter breeze of about 15mph steady, gusting to 30mph, making the windchill about 19 degrees. However, the sun is shining and the roads dry. So on goes the top, on goes the side curtains and then, wait a minute. In Missouri I realized you need a reason to take your Historic plated car out on public roads. I've never been pulled over mind you, but I've always felt I need to have a good reason in mind, just in case. Hmmm, I usually just say I'm going to get gas and come right home. But today with a full tank I decided to rationalize the drive as; "I've checked out all the systems on my recently restored car except the heater." Sounded good to me, so off I go. Nothing but the rattle of Tenax fasteners and buffeting side curtains and of course that beautiful Healey exhaust in my ears. What a great ride. I've always wanted to experience what it feels like to drive a LBC in the winter, as if it were your only car. I'm happy to say it was great!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I never felt cold, even the side curtains were effective in keeping the cold air out of the cockpit. The heater, yes, it worked. The blower didn't seem to be working but who knows? Maybe it was I couldn't hear it anyway. The car ran about 50-60 lbs of oil pressure and the temps stayed at 170-180. My feet stayed warm, indeed I stayed warm, and no, I never was pulled over. What a great experience, highly reccommend a cold winter drive in your Healey. How about sharing a winter experience with us? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
 
My 'winter experience' was a little unexpected.

I always plan to go to the classic car show that takes place anually at the NEC in Birmingham in May in my Healey if I can (admit it we all like to 'pose' when there are lots of like minded folk around). This morning broke clear but cold, ideal weather for the flying hat and leathers so after a quick check all was OK off I went. The drive was uneventful (its only about 10 miles) so I parked up and went into the show. After wondering around for a couple of hours I wondered over to one of the VW club stands where a friend was showing his newly restore Karman Ghia Convertible. When I arrived he wasn't around but turned up a minute or two later complaining that the snow had delayed him. Ha, Ha very funny thought I. But he was insistant that he was not winding me up so I went and found a fire door to look out (no windows) only to see 4-6 inches of snow on the ground. I know this doesn't sound like much but in an area that doesn't expect snow in May the roads were not gritted and chaos reigns. As the snow was still falling I decided to cut my losses and head for home. When I got back to the car I had to clear the windscreen and I was off. It was the Morley Brothers all over again with virtually no traction the car behaved like it had 250bhp under the bonnet not 90. Well all was well and I have to admit I was really enjoying myself, that is until I realised I had to cross three lanes of busy traffic and I hadn't cleared my rear screen, plus no wing mirrors - arrgh - and all three lanes were compacted snow. I realised at that point the the handsignal flaps were designed for people with much more flexible shoulders than I and the indicator lights are virtually invisible in snow... I decided to take the eyes closed and prey approach and went for it. Needless to say I took the first opportunity to clear the rear screen and thoroughly enjoyed the drive home....

Now I can't wait fo the snow to take the opertunity to imagine myself at the wheel of a works Healey crossing Alpine passes.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif
 
In my part of the country, if I didn't drive in the winter cold & sometimes snow, there would not be much of a driving season. As you say, with the heater & side curtains, things are very warm & snug. The only time there is a problem is in driving rain when the top to windscreen joint lets more water on the inside than the outside. The car really needs wipers on the inside.

In an earlier time, I can remember quite a few LBC's equipped with ski racks making the trip up the icy mountain road to our local ski lodge. The cars really handle quite well on slick roads. Not much ground clearance though. Lately they have all been replaced with SUV's. Changing times, changed cars, definitely changed people.
D
 
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The only time there is a problem is in driving rain when the top to windscreen joint lets more water on the inside than the outside.

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Dave--

As you know, I have developed a solution for this problem.
 
Thanks for responding Steve,Michael and Dave. Now that I know I have a heater I too plan on some winter driving. I don't think I'll drive in the wet though. My windshield wipers aren't very good. Don't even know if the demisters work Hmmmm, sounds like another rationalization to take a drive. Now, if I can only find some like minded souls (Lou, Bob you out there?) maybe we can have a true Polar Bear Run for the Healey's.
 
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OK Michael then what's the solution? Mine leaks like you know what

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Okay, here goes, though a picture would truly be worth a thousand words:

If you go to a West Marine store and look in the rigging section you'll see that they sell a line of do-it-yourself fittings and light stainless 1x19 wire that you can make up on their bench using tools they supply. Using one jaw-terminal, another threaded terminal and the appropriate length of wire (approx 1/8" diameter) I made a short stay that attaches via the jaws and a clevis pin to the center "header rail retainer" (Moss part #644-205)on the top by knocking out the rubber buffer. I then drilled a 3/16" hole in the scuttle just in front of the rear-view mirror through which I pass the threaded terminal and then snug the top down to the windshield frame via a knurled nut from underneath the scuttle behind the dash. The standard end clamps do the rest and the top pulls down tight against the gasket--no more air or water leaks and no fear about the top coming off at 70 mph.

Interestingly, no one ever seems to notice the wire when the top is up, though it does look similar to the solid rod stay that older Porsche and MB roadsters used to use to keep the windshield frames from deforming at speed. You do need to be brave and drill a small hole in your car--I have a small chrome button that I put it in it when the top is down. Even when the top is down I leave the stay attached but it can easily be removed when not being used.

Hope that's all clear....
 
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Could you send a picture or two?
Thanks

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Sorry Chuck--no pictures available now. It sounds complicated but it's really simple--just go to a West Marine or any good marine hardware place and look for the do-it-yourself rigging parts and it will all come clear.
 
Johnny,
I agree with you ... it is a great feeling to drive our LBC in the winter! I live in south central PA and we get the full swing of seasons. The only diference I have is that the top NEVER comes up unless we get caught in the rain. My wife and I routinely go out with our friends, Steve and Joy, throughout the year.\
As far as a story goes ... there is a small state park and lake about 20 minutes from our home that my wife and have always used as our place to go to relax and turn the world off. Last New Years Day (2004) was the 1 year and 1 day anniversary of our getting the Healey and we hopped in the car and drove there in the 30 degree sunshine with the heater blasting! There was snow on the ground (but none on the roads) and it was great. Just remember the hooded sweatshirt and good set of gloves and motor on!!!
 
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