Brass Radiator shells.

[mindover]

I posted these on here some time ago but the thread was lost in the crash. I hope its not too boring to put them back on. I know many will have seen them but here goes...

I started making these SS100 shells for a guy I worked for called Terry Rowing. Terry is a very clever guy and talented engineer. I was working for his company called trac engineering (Terry Rowing automotive components) Terry was restoring a genuine SS100 and had decided it would be a good idea to build some replicas. (at the time the genuine cars were fetching big money) He built several chassis and bought in bodies before I started to work for him. I made several sets of wings for him and clad a few bodies. Terry asked me if I could make the Radiator shells, I said I would give it a go. The replicas used the correct type of engine and suspension and was pretty much indistinguishable from the original. For those who don't know the SS100 was built in the mid thirties by SS cars (Swallow Sidecars) After the war because of the SS connotations the company was re-named Jaguar.

Terry went on to develop a kit car which would have a 'glass body and box section chassis but would use many of the same parts used to restore originals and build the replicas, like bonnets (hoods) windscreen frame and of course the Radiator shell. This car uses Jaguar XJ6 engine and suspension. This was eventually bought from Terry and is now sold as the Suffolk Sport 100 (SS100)

I have made more than two hundred of these shells. Some have been used on original cars, some on the replicas but most have gone on the kit car.

Below is the first of the Kit cars built with the first radiator shell. This photo was taken recently but the car was built about twenty three years ago.





Twenty odd years on and I am still making the shells. Below is a photo of one that I made recently. I will post photos of the jig and the process I use to make them soon along with some other shells I have made over the years.





I give them a light polishing so that I can be sure I have got all the blemishes out of them but they are not intended to be fully polished. Once I get the shells to this stage they are sent for chrome plating.


David

[jlrussell4]

Hi David,

Thanks for reposting. I could look at those over and over.

[Rick (madera)]

I never get tired seeing those Rad Shells

[3 Chiefs]

I don't think your work will ever bore any of us here. thanks for posting those pictures.
Paul

[rokcrln]

Yes please show as much as you can on this process as I need to build some 1-off shells for a car I am designing and I am sure I can use some pointers from a 23yr veteran! Very nice looking work. Thank you for sharing with us.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[DYCE]

This is what I've been waiting for. You've been teasing us long enough... The shells you've posted pictures of are amazing. The way you do it with hand tools is just as amazing. Can't wait David!!!

[Carbuilder]

David yes please post as much detail info as possible I have to make a 1916 Ames rad shell thank you.

[mindover]

Thank you all very much.

Here is a better photo of the kit car version of the car. This one as I have said was made twenty odd years ago but they are still being made and sold today- http://www.suffolkjaguar.com/



Roger Williams is the guy who bought the company from my old boss Terry.

David

[mindover]

I made this jig by copying an original radiator shell. As a I said I have made more than 200 shells on this so it is a bit worse for wear. It is fairly simple but it gives me all the information I need.



I make the shells from six pieces. Below is the blanks for a shell laid out in their correct position.



David

[Guten i Norge]

What to say if not..... just amazing .... admiring.... it's more then "just" nice...

Ørvar