Coming from the TR3, the Austin-Healey Sports Convertible’s interior sure looks complex. In the following description, I seem to give the impression that the interior is not up to the quality of the rest of the car. I have to say that I have become really picky and after all these years restoring, my eyes catch all the details.
The advantage I had was to be able to start with a brand new inner body. I installed the tar paper on the floors which took me long hours and blew several thousands of nerves on my fingers due to the heat required to thermo-form it. However just could not convince myself that it was worth installing the jute lining on top of it and bolt the snaps through. It just doesn’t seem to make sense to install a thick layer of water absorbent right under the carpets.
The new door fuzzy seal was a real nightmare to install, with its aluminum clips built-in, but it seems that this is the only one you can get.
The transmission cover has the wrong snaps (the ones with a brass top) but all others are the original model with the black ring on top. With the exception of the tranny tunnel and the floors front and back, the carpets are glued which is the original way it was done.
New kick panels are installed, as well as door panels and rear quarters.
The rear seats have been shot-blasted, primed, painted and re-upholstered. They are held with trim screws as original on this model (later cars had snaps)
The back of the rear seats is untouched and probably original. It has 2 small rips that are apparent on the pictures.
The tranny tunnel is not yet complete. The installation of the ashtray is just about to happen and the armrest will soon follow.
Seats
While the rear seat have been redone, the front seats have been left untouched.
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Panels and dash
The 2 door and the rear quarter panels are new. Waist moldings have been recovered. I have not mounted the safety belts because they make folds in the carpet! They mount on the 2 studs you see in the quarter panels, on the tranny cover and through a special reinforced plate next to the sills. I still have them but I really think a Big Healey looks way cooler with a 4-points harness
The dash has been recovered in black vinyl and has the fuzzy seals on the bottom. Of course all instruments and lamps work fine, as well as the original push-on windshield washer pump.
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Trunk
At last something easy. The lining is the original looking material. Wrinkled plastic on top and jute (or horsehair?) backing. The bottom lining is removable and gives access to the petrol tank. I could not resist keeping the vintage Dunlop Roadspeed 5.90 tire. It is not reasonable as a real spare but it looks so cool...
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Weather gear
The original weather gear has been retained.
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Glass
All glass is the original TRIPLEX brand as shown. Unfortunately, during installation, one of my door panel trim screw was slightly too long and touched the window glass on the driver side. Not knowing, I wound up the window to verify the proper working and the screw engraved a scratch on the window.
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