FAREWELL MORRIS

Morris is a handsome fellow.  After over six months of tedious work, Morris is on his way home.

This little car has such beautiful lines.  I just love round cars.

The interior is immaculate...

and the color contrast is striking.

 And I have a affection for a neat, clean and well detailed engine compartment.

Now that the restoration is complete, Morris has been moved to his new home with Lori and Bill.  Lori and I drove him to his new garage where he immediately displaced the family golf cart.  

I wish to thank Lori and Bill for the opportunity to restore this fine automobile.  It warms my heart to know that this little Morris Minor has been rescued and can now be enjoyed by "car people" everywhere.  

Next, we will be restoring a 1957 Thunderbird...thunderbirdrestoration.blogspot.com...coming soon.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

MORE BEFORE AND AFTER

I recall the day Morris was delivered to Tommy's Topless Cars in Hilton Head, South Carolina.  It was a beautiful, sunny, December day.

Morris was, with the exception of a radio from a Ford, an original, low mileage car.

The interior was in good condition with what appeared to be the original upholstery.

The engine compartment was also unmolested with the exception of aftermarket heater hoses and a plastic battery box.

Following an extensive restoration, Morris is represented as one of the most beautifully restored Morris Minor 1000's known to exist.

The exterior features a near flawless body finished with single-stage urethane paint color matched to the original coating.

The interior features seating covered in luxurious leather with accents that match the painted surfaces.  The addition of the wood rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel and wood gearshift knob represents the perfect finishing touch.

The rear seat is so comfortable.  All we need is a chauffeur and a jar of Grey Poupon.  

The engine compartment is fitted with a newly rebuilt 1275 cc engine and dual SU carburetors.  A great deal of attention has been given to every detail.

I remain...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

THE FINISHING TOUCH

 Alas, Morris has been completed.  Charlie finished buffing and polishing the new paint this evening and it looks spectacular.  

 John came by today and pinstriped the body line.

As John suggested, we used a single silver stripe to further accentuate the wheels and grille.  

I love this car...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BUFFING AND POLISHING

Meet Charlie Lee...an exceptionally dedicated craftsman...an artist with a buffer.  Every blemish in Morris's finish is being removed.  Then the paint will be buffed and polished to a high gloss.

After the roof is polished, the bonnet and fenders are addressed.

Next, the boot lid and surrounding sheet metal are blocked, buffed and polished.  

The finished product is incredible.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

MORRIS IS ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Following the completion of the startup sequence, Morris is ready for a test run.  Bill and I circled the building several times revealing  minor issues with the fuel mixture and ignition timing.

The following morning, I adjusted the mixture and advanced the timing and now...Morris runs beautifully.  Tomorrow, Bill and I will take Morris for an extended drive and then change the oil and filter.

Lori and Bill plan to move Morris to his new home on Friday.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

INSTALLING THE FIXED GLASS

The rear quarter glass, rear glass and windscreen were installed today...  not what you would term an easy task.

We also fitted the front seats and permanently attached the floor carpets.

 We also fitted the new Moto-Lita steering wheel.  You will notice the Morris logo on the horn button...striking.  

It's almost time for Morris to leave our restoration shop.  I will certainly miss this great little car.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Car

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FITTING THE INTERIOR TRIM

Following the installation of the headliner, the rear  side panels and seats have been installed.

The seats are done in premium leather and the piping is color matched to the exterior color.  

The floor carpets have been attached and the passenger seat has been installed.  The drivers seat and fixed glass will be installed tomorrow.

Restoration nearing completion...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars 

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

HEADLINER INSTALLATION NEARING COMPLETION

This headliner has been a bit aggravating to say the least.  We had ordered it some time ago from the UK through Mini Mania in California, USA and it turned out to be mis-sized.  The people at Mini Mania came to our rescue and arranged for a new headliner to be shipped by air and delivered to us directly from the UK, saving at least a week.  We received the new one three days before it was due.  

It was not the easiest headliner I have installed but the fit was almost perfect.  Gus will be fitting it around the rear window and that should take care of the few minor wrinkles.

The headliner color is a very close match to the seats and door panels.

Coming together on schedule...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

CARPETING NEARING COMPLETION

 With the door threshold, wheel house, rear seat platform and tunnel carpets installed, all that remains is binding the front and rear floor mats.

Gus brought the mats by the shop this evening and they fit perfectly.  They will be fitted to the clutch and brake pedals and the seat belt anchors tomorrow.

The color contrast is eye-catching...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FINISHING TOUCHES TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT

Although we had fitted the bonnet, a few areas in the engine compartment still required attention.  The original battery hold-down bracket was missing and the carburetor air cleaners had not been fitted.   

We fabricated a new battery bracket similar to the original and connected it to the factory mounting points.  

We had restored the original carburetor air cleaner system but due to the alterations made to the intake manifold, the clearance between the carburetors and engine compartment sheet metal was insufficient.  Therefore, we chose the K&N air filters offered by Moss Motors.  They fit perfectly.  As a bonus, the filter elements can be cleaned and reused.

I love this car...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253