Skip Navigation Links.
Collapse HomeHome
Collapse RestorationRestoration
Getting Ready
Restoration Methods
Collapse Find Your ProjectFind Your Project
Questionnaire
Project Cost Estimator
First Steps
Clean and Inventory
Collapse Project PlanningProject Planning
Collapse In-Situ ProjectIn-Situ Project
Vehicle Maintenance
Fuel System
Collapse Frame-Off ProjectFrame-Off Project
Accessories
Surface Electrics
Exhaust System
Fuel System
Interior Soft
Brightwork
Collapse ComponentsComponents
Engine
Fuel System
Braking System
Cooling System
Stereo
Collapse ProjectsProjects
Collapse 1974 Jensen Healey1974 Jensen Healey
Literature review
Wiper Assembly
Heater Assembly
Trim Fasteners
Collapse 1960 Austin Healey BT71960 Austin Healey BT7
Literature review
First Look
Clean and Inventory
Assessing Accessories
Collapse 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 11969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Interior and Floorboards
Interior and Shock Towers
Rear Body Work
Front End Body Work
Stripping the Body
Priming the body
Hood, Fender and Doors
Interior Restoration
Modern Tech
Paint
Collapse 1953 Studebaker Champion1953 Studebaker Champion
Literature review
First Look
Initial Cleaning
Fuel System
Collapse MaintenanceMaintenance
Detailing
Collapse Oil ChangeOil Change
Toyota Echo
Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic
'02 Ford Explorer
Collapse Spark PlugsSpark Plugs
Toyota Echo
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Battery
Air Conditioning
Tires
Intake Manifold
Front Disk Brakes
Rear Drum Brakes
Collapse Shop TechShop Tech
Sand Blasting
Media Cabinet Mods
Cool Tools!
Fuel Tank Restoration
Fuel/Brake Line Fab
Collapse Parts CatalogsParts Catalogs
Jensen Healey
Collapse Parts for SaleParts for Sale
Miscellaneous Parts
Studebaker Parts
Jensen Healey Parts
Collapse Car Shows And MuseumsCar Shows And Museums
Wheels of Britain '08
Pavillions Car Shows
Imperial Palace
San Diego Auto Museum
Impala Bob's 2008
KOOL FM Classics 2008
20th Annual British
Collapse Our CarsOur Cars
1953 Studebaker Champion
1974 Jensen Healey (Green)
1974 Jensen Healey (Blue)
Collapse 1960 Austin Healey BT71960 Austin Healey BT7
Car History
Collapse About TMBRAbout TMBR
About Jody
The Dogs
Site Blog
The Environment
Advertisement



125x125 automotive sale

1960 Austin Healey 3000 BT7

Frame off restoration: First Look

The first part of any restoration is performing the first look at the project. In this article we'll be doing the first look at our 1960 Austin Healey BT7. This roject came to me as a basket case, and we'll very quickly assess the exact condition of the car.

Watch the video! ------------->

Here you see the project in all it's "glory." As you can see from the picture, it's really not in "that bad" a shape

Looking at the front passenger side you can see that there's some body damage, particularly on the lower half of the shroud. Additionally, the lower signal light is missing.

The damage isn't as bad on the driver side. The lower signal light is missing on this side as well.

The hood strap is gone, though the mounts are still in place. You'll note that the colour of the hood doesn't match the body. We'll talk more about that later.

The grille and badging is in place. They're very dirty and there's a distinct chance that they will require rechroming.

The front rotor is pretty rusty. That will all require cleanup. The tires on the car are new. I had to put them (and tubes) on the car so that I could tow it home and move it around in the shop.

The front driver side is in good shape. This car was originally a duotone car. So the paint scheme was Healey Blue with Ivory White coves.

Hrm, there seems to be a "bit" missing here. Luckily, in the mess of parts sitting inside the body you can see missing door.

The body work on the back side is in pretty decent shape. No major dents can be seen.

The rear drums are in decent shape. They are nowhere near as rusty as the front disks. These wire wheels, however, have seen much better days. Looks like they'll need to be shipped out for restoration and trueing

The passenger side looks pretty straight. There's only one serious dent on the door which should pop out easily.

The rear is in similar shape as the front. There's a big dent where the missing badging should go as well as a fairly serious crimp in the lower body below the boot lid.

In this detail shot you can see that the rear bumper mount hole is retty torn up. I have a sneaky suspicion that removing the paint will reveal much more damage. We're also missing the tail light on this side. At least the reflector is intact.

The driver side of the rear is in similar shape, though not as bad as the passenger side. Again, the tail light is missing but the reflector is intact. You'll also note that the boot lid handle is in rough shape. The chrome is shot and the metal is pitted. This will definitely need rechroming.

Here you can see the body damage of the boot lid from the inside. There's also a little rust here. It apears to be mainly flashing type rust. Nothing serious.

Something's definitely not right when we look inside the boot. You'll see a fuel fill cap inside, and a fuel fill tube coming down from the body at the back of the boot. So, we definitely know that this car has the wrong gas tank.

On this side view you can see that some of the armacord interior is still in place. It's too far gone to retain, but it's a good to note how it's mounted so that it can be replicated correctly during the rebuild phase.

Here you can better see the crimp towads the bottom of the boot. Normally this sorts of crimps are easy to straighten out excet for the fact of the lip in this instance. This will be a bit of a pain to fix.

Remember the black hood? Well, it turns out that it was a sourced relacement part. You can read the grease crayon underneath stating that it was pulled from a 1957 Austin Healey. It fits right, and looks right though, so it won't be an issue during restoration.

This is a bit of a suprise. The engine compartment is completely intact. Quite frequently there are bits missing under the hood. So this makes me happy. While there's a lot of body wok that will need to be done, at least sorting the engine bay will be relatively straightforward. No wacky missing bits that need to be found.

Event the radiator assembly is fully complete and correct. This bodes well. I just hope the interior of the radiator looks as good as the exterior.

View all the images in higher resolution!


Page Comments

There are no comments on this yet. Would you like to add one?

Add A Comment

Your Name:      Rate this page:(1 = crap, 10 = excellent)
Your Email Address: We will not display or share your email address
Comment Title:
Comment:

Note, anything that isn't a comment (e.g. advertising) will be immediately deleted.

Free Shipping Generic 125x125
Edelbrock Performance Promo 1 125x125 - Free Shipping on Power Tools Free Shipping on $75 120x60 AutoSport


Contents copyright 2008, 2009 - Jody F. Kerr

All references to They Might Be Giants are fan references only. John & John I hope you don't mind! And if you're ever in Phoenix stop by for a visit!