Luv2Wrench

Jacked the car up and took another look at the front end and instantly remembered just how bad the frame rail was bent on the right side and how it interfered with the steering. I also remembered that there is significant play in the steering. You can turn the wheel way too far before anything starts to happen. I completely forgot about those issues (and the failing spring perch) which were why I parked it instead of continuing to get it ready to drive. As such... back under the cover she went to wait her time after the Metz is complete.

The Nash Healey is still waiting on me to finish the 1913 Metz and, honestly, I'm a year away from getting that done. I did move it back in to the shop while Hurricane Helene passes by. I'm very tempted to spend a couple weeks trying to get the front suspension fixed so I can drive it while finishing the Metz. I'll put it up on jack stands again and take another look after the storm passes.

I'd be real tempted to do minimal work other than mechanical needed for the car to be safe and enjoyable. I think once in that state you'll "just know" what is right for the car. Obviously it needs to be safe and dependable. Cosmetically it looks really cool as is.

The only problem I see with this, and it is a glaring problem in IMHO.... you didn't get the tractor.

Hey Chris, not to give you yet another thing to worry about, but you might want to throw a dial indicator on the valve rockers and make sure they're all going up and down the same amount. All intake valves should have the same travel as well as all exhaust. If that's not the case that lifter noise is probably from the camshaft failing and rounding over. I ran in to this on the MG TD and had to replace the camshaft and lifters. I first noticed it after I set the lash for all valves I noticed that some of the adjustments were way more than others. They're not going to be the same, but they'll be fairly close.

Hope someone here picked it up... or maybe the buyer will join the forum.

Wow it look fantastic!! I guess it is a pain to know that you did a better job than the "professionals". It really sucks because you can't do everything, it is exhausting.

Hey Chris, I'm still alive but have been focused on a side project. Over the years I have developed a computer/console game with a buddy. It is called Virtual Pool and.. you guessed it... you can play pool with it. While playing pool on a computer, console or iPhone is great, playing pool in your house is more fun. With VR (Virtual Reality) devices like Meta Quest and Apple's VisionPro, that is a reality now. So the side project has been getting a version of the game working with VisionPro. That is now mostly complete so I will start getting back in to the shop later this month or maybe first of September. At the risk of stepping outside of the topic... here's a link to a video that shows the game on VisionPro.

I always figured that you're an artist masquerading as a mechanic. This proved it.

This is awesome, can't wait to see more!

Very cool picture! From what I've seen the speedsters had wire wheels however they didn't have a full cowl. 1914 Speedster pic below. Around 1914 the head lamps became headlights and were in the fenders, though previous year models had head lamps. Obviously neither of those are on your grandfather's car so likely 1913. I can't tell if the gas tank is cylindric or not, if so then that might make it a Special though with Speedster wheels. One slightly confusing thing is that he appears to be sitting way far back.. maybe a modification. It might also be a Speedster that for some reason Metz built with a full cowl.

Does the 4 cylinder version interchange? Pictures and dimensions would help.

Wow... I under estimated that! Maybe I should be in the restoration biz, lol!!!

WOW!! That looks absolutely stunning! The color and the paint are amazing! Panel fitment is top notch as well. I know you stressed over the panel fitment a lot and it has certainly paid off. The whole car flows from panel to panel. Just beautiful! It would've cost you $60K or more to get a restoration job approaching this quality and I doubt it would have come out as good. Amazing accomplishment!

Same, fun book!