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Restoration now underway.

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Aristocraft

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Hey there, introduced myself a few months back, and we have now started this project as of monday. Got it pulled in the shop and are taking the ole girl all apart. On a side note, I still have not found a Chassis number ID plate that starts with HBJ8L. I have that number on the title that came with the car, just have not found it yet. However I think I have found where it may have been. Just below and to the side of the aluminum plate I have found are two screw holes, and what appeares to have been a plate at one time there.. What I have found is a aluminum plate on the firewall, just behind the motor with 3233BJ8 stamped into it, with the numbers 85049 below that. you can see it in the pics below. The motor ID plate is still intact and it nice shape. It is 29k/ RU /H 14825
The motor was a recent rebuild and runs great, will be pulling it and the tranny today. This is going to be a complete disassemble and rebuild job, so stay tuned as it will take a while. However we are mixing it in with our real job of boat restorations and building. but should be a fun winter project.
Thanks for any tips to located the plate with HBJ8L:smile:
Merry Christmas
Scott

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Looks like a good solid car..The plate goes where the two holes are. It is missing...

Pete
 
Hey Scott,
Looks like you will be busy for awhile ! You can find the vin number stamped along the flat edge of the shock mount right below where your right side shock is attached. Scrape off the paint which you'll be doing a lot of anyway, and you should find the vin number stamped there. Can be hard to read but with a magnifying glass or rubbing something over it should highlight the numbers. A great source for you would be to register your BJ8 with Steve Byers BJ8 Registry. It is listed at the top of the page when you go to the Healey section.
Steve is a great guy and even has some good pictures he can send you that might help you figure out the spot I am talking about. Goods luck and have fun with it.
Regards,
Mike
 
I don't know why, but back in the day a lot of people would remove the number plate from the car and keep it in their tool box or other records. This never made much sense to me. Maybe they wanted it for quick reference or to keep it from being stolen off the car. In any event, you can get a new reproduction tag from Moss and just stamp your numbers into it.
 
Hey thanks for the replies everyone. I appreciate all the help and comments. The gentleman i got the car from Had once started to restore it then stopped. He is definitely the type of guy that would have removed it and has it in a box somewhere, So i have left him a message asking if he remembers it. I will go look on the shock mount to, thanks for the tip and picture to help out!
I have all the paperwork on the car including the bills of sale from the original owner to the 3rd owner who i bought it from. So I am the 4th. Over all its looking great, some minor rusting in the trunk area floor to the rear of the gas tank, but thats the worst of anything. Also trying to figure out the wood block that was mounted where the battery goes... Had three bolts holding it on?
I have just touched base with my neighbor who is a big healey enthusiast, and will get on the registry. Thank you, and wish me luck!
Scot
 
First glance on the shock mount and I did not spot anything that jumped out at me. Question about that spot, the shock is mounted on the flat plate, is the number stamped on the front back left or right side? just trying to pin down the spot to focus my search...

As per today, we are pulling the motor and transmission. Well that is the plan anyways :smile:
 
Hey Scott,
If you look at the shock mount it is welded to the top of the frame so the markings are on the edge that is parallel to the side of the frame rail - that would be the side facing the right front brake. You will probably have to scrape the paint off to see it but otherwise it is pretty visible. As Randy's picture shows, you will have to get close to it to read it.

BTW, a great Brit car restoration shop is in Atlanta - Neil's Restorations in Decatur. He is a true Brit car nut, honest as can be, and if you even need help with something, stop by and talk to him as he is always eager to help if he can. Worked on a 49 MG TC and 59 BN4 for me when I still lived in ATL.

Good luck,
Mike
 
Mike thanks for the response! About 5 minutes ago the motor and tranny slipped out of the front, so now it is wide open in the engine bay.

You know that is the second good thing I have heard about Neils Restorations. I will keep that name in my folder and will contact him as I go along. As I already will be needed some answers as to who makes the best upholstery and carpet sets, my steering wheel needs to be redone or a new one, things like that. which I also assume you guys on here will have a ton of great info as well.

I will get some more pictures posted later today of healey stripping day 3.

Thanks again
Scott
 
Aristocraft said:
As I already will be needed some answers as to who makes the best upholstery and carpet setst
Click to expand...

I have had great luck with Heritage Trim. They are expensive but have a great product. Phoenix is also well regarded.
 
Hey Scott,
IMHO best out there for interiors is Heritage out of Washington. Their number is 360/332-3022. More expensive than the others but quality is excellent. I have had great success with AH Spares out of the UK. Better quality and color choice as well as cost over Moss even factoring in the exchange rates and shipping from UK. AH Spares has also proven to be a great source for all things HEaley. Just do a comparison on their price, factor in the exhange rate of currently 1 pound to $1.60 dollars, and then add about 20-25% for shipping. But avoid anything real heavy as that will kill you on shipping costs. You can enter an order and ask for shipping costs before they move forward and if too expensive, cancel the order. But, I have used Moss for years and they are a great vendor and you can get 2 day delivery to Atlanta from their VA facility.
Regards,
Mike
 
Thanks to both of you, thats exactly what i needed to hear about the upholstery! I dont mind paying more, you get what you pay for!

Thanks again for all the tips! because of your help, after I got the motor and tranny out today I was able to take the front right assembly off and get to the number stamped into the frame. It is hard to make out, but the number is suppose to be HBJ9L40130, and you can definitely tell that is what was once there. I will post a picture below for you guys to look at.

So already I owe all of you a big thank you!

And a few pics from todays work, mon-tues- and weds have been busy!

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Heritage has had sales in the past. Check their web site. I got their carpets and they are top notch. I chose the Karavel.
 
Sounds like they are the way to go then!! Thanks!
We have some icing here in Atlanta today so it will be a late start on the car, however the plan is to keep working on clearing out the engine bay and front left wheel/shock assembly.
 
Honestly, I think you're taking the wrong approach to this restoration.

For one (1) thing, you have entirely too much room to move around; how can anyone work that way?!

:wink:
 
HAHA well, yes we do...
We are a wood boat restoration company, and dont have our next project starting until the first of JAN, so we have an empty shop for the next few weeks...

Been stripping the car of the rest of its parts so far. All the wiring out, and all the motor components. hopefully by tomorrow the car will be completely stripped down the the body/frame. The comes the fun part.... stripping and cleaning it......
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]We are a wood boat restoration company ...[/QUOTE]
After you finish this one, you need to do a Healey boat.
 
I have always wanted an outboard powered Austin Healey....

Car looks VERY clean....great car to start with........


Pete
 
HAHA, you guys send me your healey and I will see what I can do!

I will probably be doing my own dash on the car, need to do some research and see if they were all walnut dashes or what though....

I think this boat I did more represents the feel of the healey..

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