Wanted Suggesting CAT consider repo of Mk2 grill surround

boss-tiger

boss-tiger

Gold forum user
CAT Member
Messages
360
Not sure where/how best to initiate this. I know that CAT has helped reproduce Sunbeam parts and curious what parts are currently in the works, planned or being considered in the future? Also, as a club member (in need) I would like to recommend the Mk2 grill surround as a possible candidate. Is there a committee, budget, etc. for this purpose, etc. - thanks
 
boss-tiger said:
Not sure where/how best to initiate this. I know that CAT has helped reproduce Sunbeam parts and curious what parts are currently in the works, planned or being considered in the future? Also, as a club member (in need) I would like to recommend the Mk2 grill surround as a possible candidate. Is there a committee, budget, etc. for this purpose, etc. - thanks
Click to expand...
Our high-end chrome guy once showed me how he would duplicate the MK II eyebrow. He would need one to copy. Not a cheap venture however.
 
In about 2008 I had a MK II surround that needed repair work. I took it to a repair shop. It had a dent or two in it. The first thing that had to be done was remove the chrome. I don't remember the price of chrome removal. One dent was in front of one of the support braces. The brace was removed. Then the shop began to work on it. It turned out when the chrome was removed the brass was so thin you could see thru it. The shop decided to make a new surround. This time it was made out of steel. These shops have stamping machines to do the work. He made a die and began stamping. I believe he had an apprentice ranked person stamp on this for about a week. It was finished with the ends being about 1/2" to 1" long. It would need to be cut to length when installed. It did not have the chrome applied. I paid around $600. for this. I sold it on E Bay later on. I'm guessing the chrome on this probably would have cost around $300.-$400.. When I picked this up I asked the shop if he was interested in making any more? He said no way. It was way too much work. So this would cost around $1100. in 2008. It could probably be said that it would cost at least $1500. today. I think because of the expense it may remain unobtainium.
 
Any 'ball park' previously discussed re how 'not cheap'. i know of a someone that I may be able to 'borow' a Mk2 grill surround from but it has some dings, and is little tweaked. I have no knowledge or contacts to reproduce something like this but looking at one it does not look complicated. Who/whom in CAT club would be best for me to contact. Not sure how I could be of help but willing to try. Anyone else have any interest in a Mk2 grill surround if a good quality repo would be available?
 
Brianelec : wonder if the repair shop may still have the die, and or may with technology have an easier way to do it now? Are they still in business? Etc. I am willing to make a phone call or two. Any information would be of help.
 
my thoughts about this is it's not like making air cleaners in which all tigers had them and you could make a profit because of the qty- unlike Mk2s demand would be in the low 200's if that-- maybe less- tough call when you produce an item with a small demand-
 
I know a guy in the Toronto area who has a chromed one and a stripped brass one. PM me if interested. It won't be cheap.....
 
I've got two beautiful Mk2 - not cheap-

IMG_5539.JPG
 
I think this is more than the fabrication of one part. If I would have taken the word of those that said it can't be done AC housings would be 2000 dollars on ePay. The I've got one for sale for your first born child, left n_t :) is why exactly why the club should be involved. Would you say the same about a pebbled grill center? How about a early mirror stem? I can go on and on and that's the bigger picture.
 
I believe I have found a surround for myself and I get a ton of leads and suggestions requarding which made that possible. Probably will setup a gofundme site and you help will be greatly appreciated (just kidding). Bet I called, emailed, pm'd at least 15+ Tiger owners and thanks to everyone for being so helpful -we are blessed in our Tiger community to have so much interal support.

Still pondering the 'how-to' aspect of reproducing these Mk2 upper grill surrounds and hoping for any suggestions/referals and any how to reproduce info that you can think of. I will admit that I do not have a starting point or past expierence in this area as you have probably figured out

- ? how the original was actually made (my guess brass was stamped using die in large press, top edge rolled, brackets attached, then chromed

- ? if repros available, any guess how much interest to purchase i.e. how many to have made (major impact to final price for sure)

- any input/though if not brass but made using digital printer and then plated (like some modern car trim, grills, headlights)

- if a different material used (i.e. not brass such as steel, stainless or printed resin) would that be considered unacceptable (assuming good quality/appearance)

- what price point (guess) might be acceptible. Thinking anything better than nothing and FYI there are not a lot of these out there FYI.

Depending on manfacturing process, assume initial steps would be to scan a good surround. Have a club member already volunteer to use a NOS to be scanned. Any leads, input, suggestions, warnings requested.
 
Many I should hook you up with my AC housing mfg.
He is a mfg. of vintage car brake drums, motor mounts and many other parts. I'd like to see CAT do some parts that all Tiger's need not just MK2 specific one's.
 
Warren said:
Many I should hook you up with my AC housing mfg.
He is a mfg. of vintage car brake drums, motor mounts and many other parts. I'd like to see CAT do some parts that all Tiger's need not just MK2 specific one's.
Click to expand...
It would be worth asking the AC housing mfg. about approaching the replication. Brass & chrome are certainly the preferred routine. OR, even just the brass w/attachments soldered. I doubt if it would devalue any original critters.
 
I sent off a reproduction grille to Boss Tiger for a review. That's what I think spurred on this conversation. Apparently the grille's are a hand built item for a hand built car but sound good.

As for eyebrow etc. I'd like to see the club involved and have been herding CAT's. ever towards making items that all Tiger's need.
 
Back in 1984 when I joined CAT, they put some of the dues toward new developement of parts you couldn’t purchase from the usual sources. What is the club focussed on now? Frankly if the club can provide support and make a small profit at the same time, it’s a win - win. As for the grille surround for Mkll’s and the new technologies available like 3D printing, CNC reproductions this is close at hand. When Warren and Lee went ahead and made a complex piece of a very high quality, this Mkll eye brow, washer bottle or what ever seems to be close at hand.
 
mr55s said:
Back in 1984 when I joined CAT, they put some of the dues toward new developement of parts you couldn’t purchase from the usual sources. What is the club focussed on now? Frankly if the club can provide support and make a small profit at the same time, it’s a win - win. As for the grille surround for Mkll’s and the new technologies available like 3D printing, CNC reproductions this is close at hand. When Warren and Lee went ahead and made a complex piece of a very high quality, this Mkll eye brow, washer bottle or what ever seems to be close at hand.
Click to expand...
just a note on that --the demand is low due to low production on the remaining Mk2s- I hear there's only 250 Mk2 that have been accounted for- and some of those already have those items- as for air cleaners all the sunbeams had them- in which a larger group to draw from
 
Thank you Captain Obvious....
No one is comparing AC housings to the low production MK2 parts.
Matter of fact is the AC housing was used on a couple other cars.
But this is about the general concept of making new parts. I've been talking with the guys on several parts.
With the closed minded attitude of low production, you could say... Don't make the early Pebble center bullet for the grill motif, Early mirror parts, or B post clamps or many other pot metal bits....
But all that said the Housings were offer to CAT first.
 
Reproduction of the hard/soft top catches that are screwed to the windshield would be a good choice, the original pot metal catches fracture and the chrome peels off I think every Tiger or alpine could use a new set ?
 
Tony butler said:
Reproduction of the hard/soft top catches that are screwed to the windshield would be a good choice, the original pot metal catches fracture and the chrome peels off I think every Tiger or alpine could use a new set ?
Click to expand...
Those are made in the UK but not by a preferred vendor. Although I have no history with them other than scuttlebutt talk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top