I’ve seen the grille opening surround trim referred to as “stainless”. That could be a description for the rather lackluster pieces of metal I have. Pictures on the web are rather inconclusive.
Is that - “lackluster metal” - the correct appearance?
Keith
I can’t answer your question because my car is missing this.
I’d love to know where to get one but suspect we may be dealing in unobtainium metal. If anyone can answer Keith and help with how to get this trim that would be great.
I beleive that this is a cut down upsidedown piece of trim from the grill of a Ford Anglia 105E Van (the 300E I think)
Its super rare. I’ve bidded on a couple of eBay but it got too rich for me (well the wife actually, I was prepared to pay anything!) They normally go for ?70 to ?130
I need one as well if there is anyone out there thinking about remanufacture
Best of Luck
Terry
Gidday,
Yep Terry is correct, the item is ex 300E van and fitted upside down.
I too need one of these and have been unsuccesful in obtaining one.
A friend of mine is a Sheet Metal man, might have a yarn to him.
My ideal unit would would be an extra piece of S/S the runs back well into the air intake ala some of the Farina Ferraris of the 60’s.
Will have a yarn to Poot about making a moulding.
See ya,
Les.
I actually think I have one of these. I’ll post a picture in a few hours to see if this is the part everyone is talking about.
Smokey
Thanks Les.
Put me down for one if your friend is able to assist.
Regards
Yes, but… to the original question. It seems that I’m one of a fortunate few to own these bits and I’m pondering how and to what state I should restore them.
At first glance I thought they were chrome and (badly) needed polished or re-chromed. But chrome they’re not and polish doesn’t do much. Were they bright when new and thus re-chrome would be the best approximation? Or were they dull and I should leave them alone?
Thanks
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? … :IT&ih=016
This was the one I lost on eBay , looks very shiny !
If its stainless steel , its only polished , not plated?
Terry
That trim that was on e-bay said it was uncut and one piece. My original trim is two pieces with an internal “key” to join the halves. I assume this is correct.
What type of clips were used to attach these? Were they attached to fiberglass with sheet metal screws?
I have this left to do and my car will be complete. Almost as I have to install the grill also.
Anyone have any photos of proper installation?
Bob
Polish is the answer, but you can’t start with toothpaste or it will take forever. Check Eastwood’s site for compounds and ‘buffs’. I would use a die grinder, if you try it on a buffer, you can bend it beyond all repair!
Thanks for the picture. I do not have the “remnants” of threaded trim clips such as shown in your photo. Unfortunately when i removed the trim I did not take notes nor a photo. I remember trim clips screwed to the body. I replaced the front body section so there are no “old holes” to use.
I will look through the piles of old parts to see if I recognize that trim clip.
Maybe the parts manual and a call to “the usual suspects” will provide an answer.
Again, thanks. Any further information will be appreciated.
I used to polish metal with 5 HP (per side) buffers. They had 2 inch diameter spindles. Serious equipment. If you do not have the “feel” you could easily ruin these trim pieces. You must understand that “polishing” is basically two processes with many steps within. Cutting and coloring. The “cutting” removes metal and ends with a gouge and scratch free surface which is then “colored” or in vernacular polished. Coloring removes little or no metal. Therefore if you polish a “used” piece of trim you will only bring out the scratches and defects. If you cut them first using successive abrasive grits then “polish” you will get the desired result.
A compromise would be using a nylon pad or wheel to produce a uniform “brushed” like finish. This will hide most defects and look uniform. Easy does it. Use light contact at the wheel with precise movements as if you were “machining” the part.
Hope this helps.
Bob
Thanks for the tips. Careful buffing it is.
Keith