We're restoring a 1956 Austin Healey 100-4. BN2 It was, quite literally, a barn find: On a late Friday afternoon in November 2014,we got a phone call to come and identify a rusting old car. We recognized it immediately as one of just over 4600 BN2's that where produced in 1956 by Austin Healey.  We had to rip the weeds growing up out of the floorboards .  We offered a price to restore it but it was beyond what the owner image it might be.  Rather than see it just hauled to the scrap yard we offered a price  to purchase it ourselves and make it an in-house project restoration that we could work in spare moments rather than see it go to the junkyard.  We'll be updating you with more of this restoration project in the future.

​The Austin-Healey 100 is a sports car that was by Austin-Healey built from 1953 until 1956. It was developed by Donald Healey to be produced in-house by Healey's small car company in Warwick and based on Austin A90 Atlantic mechanicals. Healey built a single Healey Hundred for the 1952 London Motor Show, and the design impressed Leonard Lord, managing director of Austin, who was looking for a replacement to the unsuccessful A90. Lord struck a deal with Healey to build it in quantity, bodies made by Jensen Motors were given Austin mechanical components at Austin's Longbridge factory. The car was renamed the Austin-Healey 100.

​The Big Healeys are often referred to by their three-character model designators rather than by their models, as the model names do not reflect the mechanical differences and similarities well.

​The BN2 was fitted with a real four-speed manual transmission, still with overdrive on the top two gears. Other features that distinguish the BN2 from the BN1 are the slightly larger front wheel arches, different rear axle and being the first 100 with optional two-tone paint.

​The final BN2 was built in July 1956, with a total of 4604 BN2s produced, including the 100M.

We're going to recreate this with all the LeMans 100M modifications. It's also going to have a fullly aluminum side skins.  Keep following us as we make more progress!

Original Article at: ExoticAutoShops
Posted on July 14th, 2015 at 4:04 PM - By Lisa Federico 

Summer is in full swing and long distance road trips to the beach or grandma’s are in effect. Aside from making sure your Exotic Makes A/C system is in proper working order, there are a few other things that shouldn’t be overlooked in your Exotic Makes during the summer season.

Tire Pressure: Over inflated tires make less contact with the ground and can cause hydroplaning in soggy conditions. Under inflated tires can bulge and blow out when the temps rise and reduce fuel economy. You’ll want to make sure the tires in your Exotic Makes have the correct pressure to avoid any problems. Don’t forget to check the spare!

Brakes: With all that stop-and-go summer traffic, be sure to have your brakes working properly, and have them checked before you head out on the road. If you notice any unusual sounds, experience grabbing or your pedal is soft or hard and resistant, get this looked at pronto!

Battery: The hot temps can be detrimental to the battery in your Exotic Makes. By keeping the battery terminal components clean you can avoid any performance problems.

Hoses/Belts: Hose cracks and belt snaps can leave you on the side of the road. Avoid this by having hoses and belts inspected for cracks, bulges, frays and excessive wear. 

Fluids: Oil, coolant, windshield washer, power-steering, brake, transmission, etc…should be checked and made sure they are the appropriate color and at the correct level. 

Filters: Replace filters (air, cabin air, fuel, etc.) to help your engine perform its best and reduce poor fuel economy. Also breathe easier on those long summer road trips.

Wipers: For those random afternoon downpours you’ll want wiper blades that do the job to cut through all that rain so you can see. If you haven’t replaced them since winter, now is the time to do so, as they may have developed cracks and tears during the cold months.

Don’t be stranded in the heat this summer, have your Exotic Makes inspected by a qualified Exotic Makes mechanic.

Don’t be stranded on the road in the heat this summer, have your Exotic Makes inspected and serviced by a qualified Exotic Makes mechanic. 

Fine leather deserves good care. The appropriate treatment of a leather item depends upon its condition, or the degree of deterioration when treatment is started. Leather deteriorates largely by four means: 

• Oxidation is most readily seen in very old dry leather, with surface cracking and flaking, and over-all weakness. Oxidation will eventually turn leather to dust. It is inhibited by a thorough impregnation with an inert dressing which coats the fibers. 
  
• Chemical damage can be through the effect of ultraviolet light, ozone, acid from sulphurous and nitrous pollutants in the air, or through chemical action following treatment with tallow or neatsfoot oil compounds. Both oxidation and chemical damage occur faster at higher temperatures. Leather should be kept away from heat, and not needlessly exposed to sunlight.... that can be difficult if you have a convertible.  Try to park in the shade if you have the top down.
  
• Internal chafing or breaking of fibers occurs when dry leather is flexed. A lubricant is essential to allow the fibres to slide one against the other. Dry leather should not be flexed prior to thorough lubrication.
  
• Abrasion can be external, from rubbing on the outside, or internal from dirt particles ground into the leather
  

Dead Battery
Most common problems are caused by terminals and clamp connections or by a loss of voltage, often caused by constant use on short journeys without regular recharging.  Be sure to look at the battery in the battery box regularly to check for corrosion.

Flat Tires
Check your owners handbook and adjust pressures as required to suit different speeds and loads for how you use your car.

• Kerb impact can damage sidewalls and wheel rims. Both can result in slow leaks. 
  
• When checking tread depth, look for uneven tire wear – the wheels may be misaligned which can cause uneven wear and a bad spot or even a hole.
  
• Look at the spare tire. A worn or flat spare won't be of much use in an emergency.
  
• Check that the jack and wheel-removal tools are in good condition and that the key or removal tool for locking wheel nuts is accessible.  Be sure you have taken the jack and tools out of the cars AT LEAST ONCE since you bought to to insure that everything is in working order and that it's all there. 
  

Overheating Engine
Always keep an eye on your car’s temperature gauge, especially in the summer. This little indicator will let you know the status of your cooling system and whether your car is on the brink of overheating. In the event your car does overheat, there are a few steps that can be taken to get back on the road. The most important step is to immediately pull over.

1. Turn off the AC and blast the heat. The heater pulls hot air away from the engine so the vehicle has a better chance of cooling off. If there is steam coming from under the hood, turn the car off, pop the hood and wait at least 30 minutes before you touch anything.
   
2. Once the engine has had a chance to cool down, check the radiator for coolant. The coolant tank is typically a clear plastic container near the radiator. If this tank is empty, you may have a leak somewhere in the system.
   
3. Check under the car for any leaking fluid. If you see leaking fluid, or if the coolant levels are not where they should be, you might have a more serious issue. Call for a tow truck and get it into our shop so one of our mechanics can do a proper diagnosis.

In Summary
With other problems, you may be able to operate the vehicle seemingly normally for some time, but the vehicle will need an eventual repair. These include grinding brakes, rough idle (often caused by the need for a tune-up), or poor shock absorption. Many vehicle owners with a busy schedule tend to wait longer than they should to get necessary repairs made to their vehicles. This results in increasing damage and expense for repairs.  If you are seeing any warning signs bring your car in for a Prognostic analysis. 

Neglecting proper transmission care will cause problems in the future. The longer you drive with a transmission problem, the worse the problem is going to get. Period. There are certain transmission signs you may notice, that you simply cannot ignore because they can develop into real, costly repairs. These signs include:

• Rough Shifting: If you feel like the gears aren’t smooth while shifting and it simply refuses to shift properly, then you probably have a transmission problem. If this is the case, have your transmission fluid checked and an examination of the shift cables and clutch linkage.
• Slippage: If you notice that you’re popping out of gears, a delay in acceleration or coasting, or feel a “slipping” sensation, then you probably have a transmission slip problem. This can be quite dangerous and you should take your car to the shop pronto.
• Dragging Clutch: Often heard with a grinding noise, a dragging clutch happens when the driver attempts to shift gears and fails because the clutch is still spinning along with the engine. 
• Overheating: Lubrication is lost at higher temperatures, so heavy towing and stop and go traffic in hot temps are major culprits for overheating. You may even smell burning transmission fluid if your Exotic Makes is overheating. Have the fluid level checked—and make sure it’s not leaking—and changed if needed.
• Clunking & Whining Noises: Whether you have an automatic or manual, hearing these sounds can be troublesome. To be safe, it’s best to have your local independent cars service shop try to replicate the sound and identify the best course of action for the problem.

Original Article at: ExoticAutoShops
Posted on December 16th, 2014 at 9:42 AM - By Lisa Federico

Temperatures are dropping, snow is falling and Jack Frost is nipping away. Make sure he doesn’t nip away at your Exotic Makes (and cause damage). Properly winterizing your Exotic Makes will keep it running smoothly and keep you safe on the road. Here are some tips to prepare your Exotic Makes for battling the elements.

Tires: Make sure your tires are ready to handle any adverse weather conditions this winter by checking the tread depth and pressure. Icy roads can be extremely dangerous if your tires don’t have good traction. Consider snow tires or chains if you live in a snowy climate.

Battery: Battery capacity is reduced during chilly temps. Be sure to have your battery and its cables inspected by a nearby Exotic Makes specialist, for fraying or corrosion. Also, have them check the level of charge and the battery fluid level. 

Belts/Hoses: Cold temps can weaken belts and hoses, which can lead to them snapping or breaking, something you don’t want while driving on the road. Your local Exotic Makes technician can check this to see how they’re holding up.

Brakes: With snowy roads and icy streets, braking can become problemsome. Your local Exotic Makes service expert can examine your brake pads and discs to make sure there isn’t any extreme wear and tear.

Antifreeze/Engine Coolant: Antifreeze protects the engine from cold weather, while cutting back on corrosion. Don’t damage your engine because you have improper water and antifreeze levels! Get to your local Exotic Makes service center to have them check this out. They will be able to recommend the proper type of antifreeze for your Exotic Makes.

Engine Oil: Cold temperatures cause engine oil to thicken, which can cause engine damage. Less viscous, or thinner, oil is recommended to use. This will allow the oil to move faster and lubricate the necessary engine surfaces. Your trusted Exotic Makes mechanic can help you choose the proper oil type for your vehicle.

Windshield Wipers/Fluid: Driving can become dangerous if your wipers aren’t functioning properly and are scraping across your windshield. Rubber blades can crack and split. If you live in a colder area where it snows, opt for blades that are designed to cut through ice and snow. Make sure your fluid isn’t frozen as well.

Your trusted Exotic Makes mechanic can help you “Winter-ize” your vehicle

Original Article at: ExoticAutoShops
Posted on September 18th, 2014 at 10:26 AM - By Lisa Federico 


Strange engine noises, different handling than normal, or reduced gas mileage…these don’t seem like major issues for your Exotic Makes, right? So you put them off for now. Bad mistake. These are all signs of common problems drivers tend to ignore, that may cause more damage in the long run and have you shelling out more money to repair.

Being proactive when it comes to repairing your Exotic Makes can help you avoid major repair headaches down the road. Here are some common problems that are often overlooked by drivers.

• Check Engine Light: One of the dreaded things to see lit up in your dash is the check engine light. When this is lit, it means your Exotic Makes has detected a problem within its OBD system. This can be several things: loose gas cap, faulty fuel injector, faulty O2 sensors, etc. Best to take your Exotic Makes to a reputable Exotic Makes repair facility and have them take a look and advise you on the proper course of action.
• Engine Oil Level: Oil, the blood of your Exotic Makes. Oil lubricates engine components to help stop them from grinding, and prevents heat buildup. If your Exotic Makes is low or runs out of oil, your engine may seize. Which is not good! Get your levels checked and replace oil when needed.
• Water Pump Leak: The water pump is used to pump water and coolant to the engine of your Exotic Makes to avoid overheating. Your engine may overheat if you are leaking coolant. Oftentimes you’ll notice water or coolant under your vehicle, or your Exotic Makes will be running hot. If ignored, your engine’s head gasket can rupture, leading to costly repairs. A qualified Exotic Makes tech has the know-how and right tools to fix this.
• Brake Noises: Squeaking /Squealing: As the most important safety feature in your Exotic Makes, it’s important for brakes to be functioning correctly. Brakes wear and tear over time, but if you hear metal rubbing against the rotor and grinding noises, go to your local Exotic Makes specialist stat for brake repair! 
• Clunks: Clunks can be a number of things, from shock absorbers to strut mounts, to ball joints, but ignoring them can result in steering or handling problems, which can lead to unwanted accidents and extra stress, causing quicker wear and tear. Have your Exotic Makes checked out by a specialized Exotic Makes mechanic if you hear any clunking, banging or pops. 
• Engine Air Filter: The air filter helps the engine breathe. If not changed often, it can reduce the performance of your car—including fuel economy and acceleration, and may cause your engine to overheat, which will cost you more to repair. Air filters should be changed per the specifications set forth by Exotic Makes, and dependent on driving conditions.

Exotic Makes repairs are expensive, and everyone wants to save a buck. Do yourself a favor and take your Exotic Makes to a qualified Exotic Makes mechanic