New 1/4 Light channels / Indicator body manufacture ongoing

[pmallinson]

Gentlemen / Ladies
I have started this new thread in a hope that someone will be able to help me with the request for info in RED

This is the latest information on the Vietnamese Lotus spares product soon to be advertised the infamous 1/4 light window channels which I'm having an engineering firm make for me (thanks to Nigel in Australia who sent me a sample and a good drawing, he now has his Stainless set in return FOC) The items will soon be (over the next 3 months as I only have 3 sets at present) advertised on everybody's favourite spares site

They will be available in mild steel painted (the prototypes & first to be offered) mild steel galvanised and finally the 'Rolls Royce' of them in all stainless steel so keep your eyes open and dig deep. These are NOT 100% perfect machine made replicas of the originals but are all individually hand made and therefore MAY need a bit of "tweaking" but they will fit as required I'm sure.

As for the +2 sidelight / indicator surround & body they are presently being prototyped in a Sheffield foundry (my nephews contact), the latest news is that Gunmetal will be what they are to be made from and then chrome plated so should last a bit longer than the original monkey metal ones ?

I have decided to get just the frame done and then the side light holder will need to be either transferred by the buyer (or I'm trying to locate new ones of these at present to fit before sale (CAN ANYONE HELP ME HERE WITH A SUPPLIER OF THE LAMP HOLDERS ? ) as for the indicator reflector / lamp-holder this will be a direct transfer from your old lamp with the aid of a drill and either rivets or small nuts and bolts. Not too onerous a task hopefully.

The guy who provided the pattern one will as per my pledge receive a pair FOC for his support ( YES that's you Mark ) I did have to remove the lamp holder and reflector from yours to possibly get the mould made, but will either rebuild it or exchange it if they are none starters in manufacture However I think at LEAST you and me will have a new pair whatever happens

That's the news on the bits for now will update you all later or you will see them on eBay !!

Cheers and Beers

[bcmc33]

Peter,

I haven?t heard the word ?gunmetal? for years ? not since I was briefly involved in the water valve industry. However, forgetting that it will be heavy, when polished and chromed, it should look perfect and not pit like all the Mazac casings do over time.

If this works, your next money-spinner should be S4/Sprint rear light bodies, as I am sure every owner would gladly replace their pitted versions for perfect looking ones.



Brian Clarke
(1972 Sprint)

[SimonH]

Brian,

You can still get the rear lamp bodies as far as I am aware. They are expensive, around ?160 each but I would be amazed if Peter can get them made for less.

Of course that doesnt mean he shouldnt try if he can do it.

Peter,

Are you planning to offer the fronts on here when you have made some?

Cheers,
Simon

[pmallinson]

Simon

When I decided ages ago to make some of the hub pullers, many members said 'why re-invent the wheel' and said they could buy them cheap enough from the regular supplier. I subsequently sold some to elan.net members who were in general very pleased with them and the cost the remainder went on eBay and sold like hot cakes + i had a flurry of emails from elan.net people then wanting one at the reduced costing originally offered to all

The +2 window channels met with the same negative response from the elan.net fraternity save a couple who supported it , believe it or now I had to get my 'sample one' all the way from Australia

Anyhow a UK member did supply the pattern for the indicator frames and there has been small interest in them, I think most are waiting to see them on eBay but if there is sufficient interest from elan.net members then yes I will sell them direct.

I'm putting in a lot of legwork, research, time and effort to try and make these long since deceased items available again, and really just ask for my own to be FOC and the same for those who have assisted anything after that is a bonus.

I at present have NO idea what they are going to cost to manufacture and this may make it all a bit pointless as it may turn out to be cost prohibitive and then this will prove the doubter correct but we'll see how it goes in the next 2 months or so anyway?

I have found a supplier of similar light holders to the original ones but not identical, I'm trying to get a deal with them for bulk supply of say 50 holders at present.

Cheers

[mikealdren]

Peter,
Gunmetal is a great material but wouldn't brass be cheaper and easier? Mind you, it may be that your contact specialises in gunmetal.

It's also a great colour, current favourite for my +2 when it's repainted later in the year.

Mike