The completed Torque tube swivel and pivot.
Trial installation of the torque tube drive assembly
Manufacture of the Nash Healey Grill
With thanks to the Healey Factory in Melbourne for the loan of an original grill. The originals were manufactured in brass. Steel and stainless steel will be used for this reproduction.
Simple press tool to provide the profile and blank cut out to form the ends. A couple of trials were necessary to arrive at the correct finished radius.
Forming the ends
Semi completed grill end
Forming tool for the straight sections of the outer frame
Forming tool for the headlight rings
Blank for the headlight rings, these will be in stainless steel to save a little chrome plating
All of the basic forms go to Jerry Mlinaric, his part of this is much harder than mine in making up the tooling and basic shapes
Former for the grill centre bars and the 2 loaned sample bars
Grill centre bar profile
Shaping the centre bars over the former
Trial installation of the outer frame
Welded outer frame and semi finished headlamp rings
Rear view of the basic frame and rings
Trial fitting of the Grill assembly with centre bars in place
Final adjustements to match the body profile
Hand polished and ready for chrome plating once the centre badge attachment holes are drilled
Over 120 hours work on Jerry's part, plus the many hours I spent making the tooling, I'm happy to see it completed as the missing grill was always a great concern with this car.
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