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

FITTING THE CARPETING

Bill and I spent the morning fitting the few pieces of carpeting that did not require binding.  The door thresholds, front wheel house covers and rear seat platform must be fitted first.  Then the transmission cover and propeller shaft/handbrake cover are attached to the floor pans with snaps to allow easy removal of the gearbox  inspection cover.














The photo to the right shows the proper installation of the rear seat platform carpeting.




















Stay tuned...
Tom McCurry
Tommy's Topless Cars
tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com
843-338-2253

CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY

Installing the carpet and upholstery in an automobile is like remodeling your living room.  Fitting the new plush carpeting and leather upholstery just makes it feel like home.  

My first inclination was to save all the photos of the interior components until the final installation sequence began.  However, unforeseen circumstances have delayed the final assembly.  So, I thought I would give you a preview of the interior color scheme.

Pictured on the right is the rear seat side panel and armrest.  The seats will be done in matching leather with green piping. The green accents match the exterior and interior paint.  

Today, we cut the carpeting using the original as a pattern.  Gus will be binding the tunnel and floor carpets as required and they will be installed tomorrow.

Stunning...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FITTING THE BONNET

We have spent hours and hours assembling the engine compartment.  Today, we fitted the bonnet and fastened it into place.  

The first step in the process was to assemble the hinges, bracing and trim.  

The original color scheme was applied to the bonnet motif, restoring it to its original condition.

The "Flash", as it is called, was also restored to its original color and fitted to the bonnet.  Incidentally, it is also original to the car.

Finally, the bonnet is fitted to the body and the support and latch mechanism are installed and adjusted.

Amazingly, the bonnet latched and released properly on the first attempt.

The installation of the fender mirror completed the task.

It looks like a car again...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

SOUND/HEAT MAT INSTALLATION COMPLETED

Installing the sound/heat mat is time consuming, but certainly worth the effort.  Jeremy, our new guy, came in today to help complete the task.  In the photo to the right you will notice the mat extends to a point just above the removable transmission tunnel.  Another form of insulation will cover the remaining area of the interior side of the firewall.

You will also notice that the insulation on the interior floor is not the same material as that used behind the door panels and beneath the rear seat.  The insulation used on the floor is much more durable than the other.

Tomorrow we will be cutting the carpet and applying the unbound pieces to the floor.

The interior trim should be delivered soon.

Coming together...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

INTERIOR SOUND AND HEAT ABATEMENT

In an effort to reduce the road and engine noise as well as the heat generated by the engine and exhaust system, we chose a sound and heat shield mat for the floors and firewall.  This particular product is sold  by Eastwood.  I have used this product on several restorations and found it to perform very well.

 There was a bit of surface rust on the the floors,  especially on the driver's side.

I applied a coat of POR 15 to those areas to encapsulate the rust.  POR 15 is also an excellent product available through Eastwood.

Tomorrow, I will complete the installation of the sound/heat mat on the floors and firewall.  A different product will be used under the rear seat.

The end result will be a quieter, cooler interior.  

Stay Tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BEFORE AND AFTER

At times it is difficult to remember how Morris looked five months ago...but that's why we take photos. Probably the most significant change in the appearance of the car, at least at this point, is the engine bay.  

Although the engine and its related systems were virtually unmolested, it was quite obvious that it had never been restored.

As you can see, in the photo to the left, a great deal of attention has been given to every detail.  Every part has been cleaned and or repainted and every nut, bolt and clamp has been replaced.  

The original 1098 cc, single carburetor motor has been replaced with a newly rebuilt, modified 1275 cc, dual carburetor, period correct engine.  The horsepower has been increased almost twofold.  As many of the original parts as possible were restored and reused to preserve the cars authenticity.

The bonnet will be reinstalled on Monday.  Until then, our attention shifts to the interior of the car.

Enjoy...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

TRIMMING THE DOORS

Previously, Bill and I had fitted new rubber around the vent windows and new felts in the operating window channels.  Today, we installed the operating window and door latch on the right side of the car.  

Glenn was busy too.  He was fitting the water temperature/oil pressure gauge to the dash.

 He also fitted the new turn signal switch and horn button.  The new steering wheel will be fitted after the interior is installed.  

Tomorrow, we will be installing the left side door trim and the sound/heat mat on the floors.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FITTING THE BUMPERS AND GRILLE

Morris is beginning to resemble the beautiful automobile it was when it was new.  It is difficult for some to visualize the end result when restoring a car, but Lori and Bill and our team seem to have that talent.
Today, Glenn and I fitted the bumpers and grille.  Now, all that remains is the bonnet and the glass.

The grille and bonnet release mechanism was a bit difficult to assemble, but the end result is quite stunning.

Tomorrow, we will be fitting the door latches and windows.  We will also be installing the new Moto-Lita steering wheel and horn assembly.

I love this car...

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253