December 2003

Just been down to Northern Healey to view progress. Superficially there does not appear to have been a lot of work done, but when I look more carefully I can see that a great deal of care has gone into the alignment and fitting of the substructure panels. I now have a chassis built to my own specification i.e. incorporating such things as:

• stiffening plates on the front suspension wishbone mounts
• doubled anti roll bar mounts
• strengthening the rear spring hangers
• modifications to accept my 5 speed gear box
• mods to passenger footwell to provide clearance for "works style" exhaust manifold & triple 2" carbs set up
• ditto the near side engine mount
• cut away near side sill for silencers
• fittings for sump guard

The list goes on and on ...............and every time I open my mouth the cost is going up!
Paul Grogan is very exacting in his standards - We had to have a mechanical fitting session i.e. a trial fit of engine, gearbox, manifolds and carbs just to make sure it would all go in .......it did!

With the unrestored shrouds dropped in place it's beginning to resemble a car again, but delivery date for my completed chassis / body has now slipped to March / April ...... which probably means May. I'll then have to do all the rest of the work myself so perhaps the caption should read "Dreaming of Haggis tour 2005"

Alasdair