[Healeys] Fw: Grill surrond question Plus Details

[Rich C]

 Listers,

This is a pared down version of the note that was too big for the list. It's 
a direct response to Bill Barnett's previous note. Hope it goes through

Rich Chrysler

> Bill, and all,
>
> Curved front grilles as far as I have ever seen are consistantly curved at 
> the top. This includes all 4 of the 19 preproduction cars I've personally 
> seen, as well as the first production car which was Body #24, , the car 
> with Body #156 and the car with Body 174. I am listing only those I have 
> actually seen "in the flesh" so to speak.
>
> All alloy body panels did not last nearly as far as the first 100 cars. 
> The first 19 hand built preproduction cars assembled at Warwick while the 
> Longbridge production line was being set up, had all alloy outer body 
> panels, and did differ from each other in many small details, with things 
> quickly evolving and developing, as did the first few production cars. 
> However, they started installing steel panels very early on, way less than 
> Body 100 it seems, and within the first 60 or so, had gone to many of the 
> standardized pressings inside and out that lasted throughout the entire 3 
> year plus production run.
>
> Black under bonnet areas did occur from time to time, especially ( but not 
> exclusively) on white cars, throughout the production of the Hundred. Many 
> late BN2's finished in White, often came through with black engine bays.
>
> Who cares? Some of us who have made it an enjoyable little side hobby to 
> try to document all these little anomolies for anybody who cares to ask.
>
> Original satin grille? Of course, the centre vertical teeth were always 
> finished in satin chrome, with bright chrome outer perimeter (curved at 
> the top) frame.
>
> Having fun? You bet!
>
> Rich Chrysler

Bill Wrote:
 I'll jump back in here for a little bit.  I'm the 2nd owner of BN1 #663
>> born 5 Nov. '53 and I know the curved front has not been changed.
>>
>> However, Jim, weren't the first hundred or so cars all alloy?  Is
>> yours?  It was my understanding these were pretty much prototypes and
>> could differ from one to another.  Correct?  Rich?
>>
>> Who really knows?  My car has a black under bonnet on a Carmine Red
>> car.  I can't prove it other than having the, now deceased, original
>> owner telling me that's the way he got it.  Many years ago, an
>> apparently much more congenial Geoff told me he seemed to remember a few
>> like that but didn't know why.  Eric Grunden of Absolutely British
>> worked on an OEW 100 that also had the black.
>>
>> But who cares?  I have a very fast M-kit driver with Dayton 72's and a
>> 3.54 but, what the hey, my grill is original satin!  LOL
>>
>> Bill Barnett
>> Santa Ana, CA