So, back from Cornwall, and an amazing ten days away from the garage.................
So next I started on the badge bar and front number plate box.
The box was retained by two allen head setscrews in from the front with nuts behind next to the horns. I prefer this the other way round. On the Roadster the setscrews go in next to the horns with the nuts on the number plate box. That way I find easier to manage.
Anyway - remove the box and the grille slides down and out. I decided to assist the airflow into the radiator by lining the cowl with neoprene, and this stops too much air spilling round the sides and underneath. I started with cardboard templates, and used polypropylene sheet (quite stiff), and drilled the stainless sides in two places each side (setting aside my no drilling credentials for this one!). This would probaby help more on the Plus 8 by the way.
I might even do this to the Roadster in time.
Note that the holes in the lower mounting on the car are 'messy', and it wasn't me!
Here's the box tidied up and with a neoprene U channel applied to the lower edge. A lick of satin black paint finishes the job.
This is the stainless steel number plate backing (sourced from MG Owners Club), still with white protective cover, test fitted inside the box. It is curved gently over my knee, and fits the opposite way to how it would fit behind the number plate..
Marked up for drilling. Different badges need different height holes.
And then as if by magic...............
Turn it over.......
This is how it looks with setscrews reversed to my liking:
Nuts applied to hold the grille in place, then large rubber washers go over the top before replacing the box, with angled spacers to move it from the standard laid back alignment.
And here is the finished article. I'm pleased with how this looks.
More to follow
