1956 Red Goddess - Winter Work

[Frankenhealey]

I've moved this from here retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=readersrides&thread=36207&page=10

Having had a tyre blowout on a trailer going up to Santa Pod last year and then had the joy of going in convoy with my partner through the badlands of Sarf London to Crystal Palace this year I decided it was time to get a transporter. Something modern and reliable didn't really appeal and I'd seen this at Goodwood last year



So the search was on for something with a bit of character and of the right age to carry my 1954 Chevy Healey. A bit of lateral thinking led me to the Green Goddess. They made over 4,000 of them and by chooosing a rotten one I may be able to dodge (not proven) the Fatwa put out by ex-firemen on people who use them for conversions.















However the rot has set in. She was obviously subject to a pretty poor 'restoration' once from the poor paint and the great 'Revs' magazine stickers on the windows! Then she must have been left uncovered for years. We've got dry rot, wet rot and fungus







FUNGUS!





Light through the roof!

[10mpg]

Love this, what a great idea. Looking at that body rot I think I'd be tempted to take a lot of measurements and then throw most of it on the bonfire and start again, it's a fairly simple shape to replicate and steel frame with aluminium cladding would be lighter and stronger and easier to adapt to car lobbing duties..

Fantastic project though please please keep us updated..

[scoobypete]

Ha i like these,my cousins now ex g/f and child live in a converted one of these which currently has no engine but we had fun moving it a few years ago to a new field,ended up being towed by another GG that had been converted into a swb variant with crane on the back.
Will get pics next time I'm down there ;D

[Czechered Flag]

Love it, always had a soft spot for the Green Goddess. I've bookmarked this.

[retrowagen1234]

nuts.... up untill about two weeks ago i had loads of ex MOD manuals and guides/ training manuals for these..... i gave em away....

[Frankenhealey]

nuts.... up until about two weeks ago I had loads of ex MOD manuals and guides/ training manuals for these..... I gave em away....

Stupid boy Pike! ;D

[Frankenhealey]

Thanks to bmcnut for these suggestions







....and thanks to volksangyul for suggesting painting it it Ford Radiant Red and Silver as per the Healey ;D

[grifterkid]

What a bloody exciting project sir... What are your plans? Do you have any ideas in your mind or sketches on paper that you care to share...?! I am going to be following this extremely carefully indeed...

[Frankenhealey]

Do you have any ideas in your mind or sketches on paper that you care to share...?!

Something like this in read and silver to match the car I think.

[Lewis]

Going to be super cool, this.

[claymore]

brings back fond memories of the 1977 fireman strike, up in Manchester, great times.

[Chuff]

someone who likes a challenge - good luck

[Frankenhealey]

Sigmund pump coming apart - still lots to do



Pump from the top



Ally pump parts awaiting recycling



Temporary leaky roof solution



ROT!



More ROT



300 gallon ally tank - unbaffled, so if it was part full and you took a corner above a crawl the water shifted and you were in a world of woe, ususally on your side

[datman]

ooh will be watching this one

[luckygti]

Jul 18, 2010 19:00:10 GMT Frankenhealey said:

300 gallon ally tank - unbaffled, so if it was part full and you took a corner above a crawl the water shifted and you were in a world of woe, ususally on your side

Having followed one down the road yesterday, I'd say this was a distinct possibility Back end seemed to be completely disconnected from the front too. It looked like a bit of a handful ;D Mind you, the guy driving wasn't exactly hanging around

Fantastic idea, Bookmarked and eager for updates

[ben711200]

I have the funniest of feelings that this is going to be something special. Ready for the gathering? ;D

[Lawsy]

this is going to be an epic thread, love the concept...

[Frankenhealey]

Ready for the gathering?

Not a chance

If I get the back end off then I might drive her there but sadly then I won't be able to bring the Healey and do the track

My cunning plan was for my partner to drive it because she has a Landy and the Goddess (A for Aphrodite) is really just a big Landrover. However she is unimpressed with the vacuum over hydraulic 'brakes' so that's not going to happen.

[kee]

this needs a chevvy v8 to power it as per the yank diner at last years RRG

[Frankenhealey]

this needs a chevy v8 to power it

You mean something like this ;D



Sorry it's a bit fuzzy. The dressed 383 is in the Healey but the 350 torque monster is awaiting a rebuild if I can get a bellhousing conversion from these nice guys in Australia www.acwbedford.com.au/Spares.html where they love their "Beddies" ;D