Housings and Rings
This is not a thread about what guys will pay on eBay for a original part or a reproduction part. Fiberglass air cleaners have been out for many years, and the same with SV or MK2 headlight rings. Chuck Daly a 30 year member of the club has 2 69024 stamped chromed AC housings that had the chance to be sold on eBay before the introduction of the repop ones. I mentioned it to him some 2 years ago and he sold off almost all of his stuff, but forgot to sell the AC housings DOH. Now we know that chromed LAT real AC housings have had a different number stamped in them. If anyone's car gets dinged points feel free to kick me in the shins, I can take it. Life has it's unintended outcomes. But the good new is now you all know a high dollar Tiger restorer nugget.
Chuck also had a late Smiths heater valve in the original box, and yes there was a difference between the ones Sunbeam Spares sells and the original one, easily identified by a part number and the superior plating and finishes as I recall. Could I see it bending over a fender, NO not without reading glasses. Would I put it on a my car NO, do I hope that next gen repops get closer YES. I have seen but a couple survivor cars worthy of such a NOS part. For the rest of us the better we work as a team the better the group will be. If that is not thinking straight by getting real quality spares made so be it.
The last AC original housing sold on eBay went for $760 it was pitted and rusty. The nefarious type could go get some table salt a little mild acid and distress a new one to match the patina in a few days, or weeks
alas another unintended outcome.
This TOOL in question is a Schrader valve removal tool. My banana skin bias belted tire back in the dark ages were tubeless. I can't imagine a use, unless for a teenage prank and the rapid deflation of several tires. Well on 2nd thought a bike tire or two had a leaky valve and I was able to loosen and re tighten a couple of them.
It does not even make a good ear wax removal tool, I like the cute little key with the .016 feeler gauge
Personally I will never be in stock class and the 2nd worse trunk of all the cars I've owned will be stuffed with real tools n spares. If I had a tool kit it would be next to my Hazet tourist set for the VW collecting dust.
