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Ready to choose restoration shop

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simon1966

simon1966

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Finally my 1954 right hand drive 100, BN1 is going to be restored and I am going to start the process of selecting the shop to do the work. What I want the shop to do is to handle the frame, substructure and body restoration. I plan to do quite a bit of the other work myself. In other words I am not looking to drop off the car and then collect the completed finished vehicle sometime in the future. I am located in Illinois, not far from St. Louis, but would not have an issues getting the car transported to the right place. So what I am looking for is direction on a good shop that would consider this type of work as opposed to the complete restoration of the car. I appreciate input and insight at this exciting time:eagerness:

Thanks much
Simon
 
I would send the car to Tom Kovacs at Four in Tune and get His comprehensive write up. Even if You don't go with Him, the write will help You decide how much You farm out or do Yourself.
 
Check in with Bruce @ Healey Surgeons in MD TOO
 
I have to go to DC on business in the next week so will see about visiting Healey Surgeons. Could have sworn I read somewhere that they were slowing down and not taking any more major restorations? I'll give them a call.
 
Give the guys at Sports and Speciality a call. They're carrying on the tradition that Mark Barker started before his untimely death. Quality work at a fair price. https://www.sportandspecialty.com
 
Thanks much for the thought, they were not on my radar.

Anyone have experience or comments about British Motor Corp" in Philly? They advertise in the club mags and appear to be quite experienced.
 
G'day Simon, too bad you are so far away! We have a great Healey restorer here in the Brisbane area. JH Classic Restorations can do wonders!
 
You should make your way up to see Tom Kovacs @ Fourintune in the next couple of weeks. He is finishing up a restoration of my friends 53 BN1. Mike the owner is having a final look at it in the next couple of days before having it shipped back to his home in Texas.

Tom is also doing a concours restoration of my once owned factory 100-M.

Tom does an excellent job and has a vast wealth of knowledge of detail.
 
A lesson learned. Choose the most reputable Healey Specialist that's closest to you. I used Paul Tsikuris, and he does some terrific work, and knows the cars as well as anyone, but I was living in Ohio at the time. I was only able to "drop in" on progress once or twice a year, and this allowed some executive decisions to be made on my behalf__trust me when I say that you want to me more involved, and the closer the shop, the easier that is. Helps if you're retired too, which I was not (come to think of it, I'm still not retired...).

I don't know Tom Kovaks, but I do know that his shop does some award winning work, so given your location, that's the first place I'd go. If you can't come to an agreement on cost/time there, then move to the next closest/convenient shop.

You definitely want to stick to a shop that specializes in Healeys, because we all know the stories of how poorly the bodies fit (finish bodywork & painting was the extent of Paul's responsibilities on my car, I handled everything else) and the fit and finish of the bodywork is the first thing you'll see every time you open the garage door. It may be the only thing that anyone else sees.

Good luck, and keep us apprised of the progress!

Edit: The Healey Werks might be closer, but they've done so many Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolets lately, that they may have an inflated opinion of their worth; doesn't hurt to shop their rates though! https://www.healeywerks.com/company/contact/
 
I think Randy makes some good points. It really helps to be able to drop in and see the progress and straighten out any hiccups before it's too late. This is the kind of thing that happens when you're not able to keep an eye on things: https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf...ils!-Am-I-asking-too-much&p=984792#post984792 FWIW, I've seen Tom Kovacs's work when he did the original restoration of the Gary Cooper 100S (AHS 3504)https://www.fourintune.com/Jackie_Cooper_100S.html . Looked really nice.
 
"Check in with Bruce @ Healey Surgeons in MD TOO"

Bad news. I spoke with Healey Surgeons yesterday. Bruce hurt his neck and shoulder and is out of work. He may retire.
 
I agree you need to "drop in", it is enjoyable to view the progress even when its incremental. I recently restored my BN1 (r/h). The restoration was "ground up" to a "daily driver". The work was entrusted to a local (Sydney) quality restorer. If there was one drawback it was the unique aspects of the BN1 for example the o'drive electrics. It would help if the restorer has this or has access to this particular expertise. If you wish I can provide you a copy of the restorers worksheets.
Peter
 
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