Hi Rev, I thought I'd write a series of articles for the newsletter to show my support for the great job you do with the newsletter. Under
separate cover, I'll attempt to forward the only picture I have of this
machine. So, the title is:
 Healeys are Great

At least I think so enough to have started looking for one...I had been watching on ebay various Healeys being sold. Then a 51
was offered on MOL about 1 1/2 years ago. Hoping it would be sold first, I waited a couple of months to contact the owner. Finally the phone
 call, only to learn, "No, the Healey has not been sold."

This man had owner had it since the mid 70's. It had a Chrysler hemi in it and was painted pink. He had removed and sold the hemi, removed the
interior and lots of other parts. Enough to not be sure what all was still there. This Healey had some mild customizing; it was pink, had frenched headlights, an AC Cobra style grille and was dechromed other than the door handles and windshield
frame. From all this I reasoned the customizing was done in the late 50's early 60's.

 This Healey was in the TX panhandle, so Easter 2005 I jumped in our Volvo wagon to head west and south. Of course, these stories always have a glitch, this time being that just that morning I left, the heater core decided to spring a leak (yes, it was a cold trip without the heater,
but bearable. 1300 miles later I arrived to see this Healey. This 51 still had decent original leather on the seat, various interior panels had
already been replaced with red pleated vinyl, also late 50s style and no top. Nothing was under the hood but space. Most of these missing
under the hood parts I could get from various Nash parts cars I've had over the years excepting for never having had a dual carb engine.

The body had not a hint of rustpitting let alone corrosion through the metal (aluminum skinned body,
 The 50's modifications took me some getting used to the idea of owning. I liked everything else about the car, so I made a deal and rolled it
on my tow dolly. Another 1300 miles later, and the Healey resided in the workshop area of my barn! During the Autumn meet we sponsored, attendees were able to see this Healey. At that point I had managed enough time to remove the under the hood modifications made to accomodate the Chrysler hemi. Also managed to paint the under the hood surfaces the original maroon this Healey
sported when new.

I am happy to report that I now have the engine in the car. I also fabricated the missing floor pan. This fun experience of making a flat metal panel into a slight bell shape to accomodate the bell housing required alot of patience, tapping and ear muffs. I was quite pleased with the outcome and fit of this panel.

I'll update you with a progress report in the next issue! Jim Dworschack

 Rev Milhone's Nash Hot Rod