[Zmagnette] badge bars

[Steve]

When Allen and I were in the UK, for the 60th Anniversary Celebration, we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Trevor Jones.  Some of you might remember Trevor, as he was the one who engineered the Triumph Sway bar, utilizing many TR parts (all readily available to us here), with a few brackets he had manufactured, to allow the use of a sway bar on our Magnettes.

Since that time, Trevor and I have exchanged many e-mails about a myriad of subjects!  In fact, the genesis of this conversation may have started over a pint . . . .  Anyway, we started discussing badge bars.  I have never been that “fond” of the badge bars, such as sold by NTG (I even bought one from NTG, when in the UK in 2000), but I did not aesthetically relish the idea of drilling holes into the hood/bonnet to install it.  The NTG “model”, is to the best of my knowledge, the only one presently available. 

I began to fabricate “my own” design prototype,  out of 3/4” EMT, the idea being for it to follow the curve of the front, clearing the bonnet/hood, and mounting under the driving lights.  To me, that seemed like a cleaner, more classic design.  At some point, I mentioned this to Trevor, who informed me such a badge bar already existed . . . . in his possession!!!!  It turned out to be the badge bar, on his car, as purchased.  At that time, it was off the car, in storage.  Eventually, he found it, and send me some photos:  exactly what I was trying to do.  There appears to be only this one in existence, and the source is not known.

Trevor is a brilliant engineer, and has begun the process of initially fabricating these for the Magnettic community.  Like every such attempt at these things, the more that are made, the more feasible it becomes, and the lower the cost.  Of course, cost is the paramount question, and is yet to be determined.  VERY ROUGH idea at this point, is that they would be made of brass, and chrome plated.  Shipping is the big, big question.  One possible solution is to ship a batch of them to one point (I am willing to be that point), and then ship them internally within the US.  I will not bankroll these, however.  My pockets are not that deep, sorry.   Our very rough estimate is that they will be a bit over $100, including shipping.  The one from NTG is currently priced at about $94.xx, and that does NOT include shipping from the UK.  Thus, if the price can be held to the hundred dollar ballpark, it’s actually about the same price, as the existing design.  FWIW, the “new” design will hold many more badges.

I can send the photos Trevor sent me, but I’m too stupid to do it to the Group.  Let me know individually, and I’ll send them to you.

Thanks,

#2SteveK
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