0019 Wheels, exhausts, and springs

31st August 2017
We continue learning as we go.

Rear wheel fitted up for size

Since our last post a couple of weeks ago, we have continued to plough ahead with our preparation of Gidget, sometimes achieving many things in one day, while other days pass with nothing but internet research to show for our time.  Those of you who have ever tried to restore an old car to its former glory will understand the

Side exhaust taking shape

extremes of temperament that one goes through - One day euphoric that you have at last solved something that has been puzzling you for a while, while on other days you sink into despair, wondering if the car will ever be completed and back on the road.  Every day the list of things to do seems to get longer instead of shorter !  This week I managed to get several more of the original items refurbished, we saw one of our new wheels fitted up into the wheel arch, and we finally saw how good the exhaust is going to look.

0018 Magazines, seats, Jags and maps

9th - 16th August 2017
Starting to look for important things !

While I was busy at home cleaning up and refurbishing a lot of the parts I had taken off the car before she went in to Classic Car Clinic for her major surgery, I was also starting to think of some of the important things we will need later on.  If I can at least find out where I can source some of these items, then when the time comes and we need them, I won't have to waste time running around looking for them, but will be able to go straight to the supplier and pick them up.

0016 An Austin Healey Concours

6th August 2017
A day off to look at complete Healeys for a change !

The Queensland Austin Healey Club held its annual Show and
Shine at Clontarf, up on the shores of Moreton Bay north of Brisbane on the 6th August, and despite it looking quite cloudy and overcast while we were driving up from the Gold Coast, once we arrived the sun came out and it was a beautiful warm sunny day.

0015 The things you find on an old car !

5th August 2017
When you dig deep, you find some amazing things !

A Coronet Cream 100/4, as Gidget was originally

This is a fascinating stage in the restoration process of Gidget, as the Healey has now been christened.  (More on the name later.)   There are just SO many things to do that Ashton and I seem to have notes everywhere - in Evernote, in spreadsheets, on scraps of paper, and of course, in our heads !  Some are important things like "weld up chassis" or "make sure wheels fit", others are just ideas, like what tools should we take ?  What spares ?  And then of course there are really important items like how many pairs of jocks and socks can we (should we ?) fit in !  With the car still being worked on at CCC, I am busy gathering all the parts I think we need, as well as items like foam to make cushioning under the fuel tank, and heat reflective foam and metal to keep the exhaust heat where it belongs - ie outside the car !  Just so much going through our brains at the moment, and we have long telephone conversations most evenings, throwing ideas around.