This is an extract from an e-mail I wrote to the Austin Healey chat list (healeys@autox.team.net) in June 2001 (with minor editing). A friend of mine Gerry Threlfall was looking for an alternative source of material to make heat shields for his BT7. He wanted to avoid using asbestos. The e-mail read as follows.

"Again I thank Neal, Ross, John, Doug and others for assisting me but directly helping my friend Gerry Threlfall with his BT7 heat shield solution. In summary, heat shield material similar in appearance to asbestos (and heat protecting properties) without the inherent health risks is available in several forms.

Neal Grotenhuis (USA) suggested USG "Fiberrock" 0.25" available through Home Depot; Ross Maylor (Calgary, Alberta) suggested Hardie Backing, a concrete like product, again available through Home Depot. John Rowe (Western Australia) suggested looking into soffitt (eaves lining in Australia) product produced by James Hardie Company; and finally Doug Reid (Mr Finespanner, Catonsville, Maryland) suggested fire proof product which looks like asbestos, said he would be back to me with the exact name.

If one goes to JamesHardie.com licks on North America you can review the line of products available. Many of these are available through Home Depot. Click on "soffit" for example, one on the left side of the screen are a set of selections, click on"dealer locator" enter your zip or postal code for the dealer nearest you.

Hope this helps those looking for a more economical solution and a health safety approach to avoid lung damage from asbestos fibers."

Addition: Well Gerry did buy this material and has used it on his ongoing restoration of the BT7, we found that the Hardie product can be cut very easliy on a band saw with a coarse blade. In fact one can cut circular pieces with ease.