The 'E' Type Forum

In anticipation of my original CTB Ltd steering wheel returning from the restorers (more on that later) I decided to put a bit of a shine on the original horn push. As I had a repro one in my spares cupboard I got it out to do a quick comparison and noticed there is a big difference in the gold colour between original and reproduction, the latter is almost silver:

At first I thought it had aged and changed colour but then I pulled out the original launch brochure and behold, the same rich gold:


So something else the parts suppliers need to think about. You can guess which one is going back on the car.

The chequer is also better defined on the original

Indeed Simon, and correctly proportioned. With all the prototyping technology now available it beggars belief we are still lumbered by sub standard reproductions.

Been a long-time gripe of mine. Accentuated nowadays, having installed a nice golden original on my OTS before it got nicked. Looked gorgeous with the French sun sparkling on it with the top down in its final week...

The repro surround is too shiny and black as well, being a modern plastic rather than old-school Bakelite style material. They can put men in space but I suppose even the Chinese can't productionise 'patina' yet...

Speaking of the original. Mine is in need o rechroming the ring. Anyone successfully stripped one down? I see there are tabs on the back which should bend back to release. Also any way to shine/black up the bacolite?

Don't want o have to resort to a repro!

You may be able to remove the chrome ring but at the risk of breaking something. Remove the rubber ring on the reverse and then attempt to straighten the retaining tabs. The problem you have is the Bakelite is very brittle so is likely to crack before the tabs move. Probably better to leave it as it is or find an original on eBay - they do not (yet) seem to be valued. As regards polishing the Bakelite, and I speak as someone who used to restore old round Echo radios, the best thing I can suggest is Brasso but you will never achieve the lustre of modern plastic, simply a satin sheen as seen in the photo.

andrewh wrote:Speaking of the original. Mine is in need o rechroming the ring. Anyone successfully stripped one down? I see there are tabs on the back which should bend back to release. Also any way to shine/black up the bacolite?

Don't want o have to resort to a repro!

I've taken a few apart and the tabs break very easily. Don't do it unless you have a new chrome (which hadn't had the tabs bent before) first.

thanks Guys. Will try to polish chrome in situ and see how it looks. My bacolite is just a bit faded. I suppose I need to black it if possible but maybe its a no go.

The Bakelite is never a gloss black and the originals are a satin finish usually fading to a browny tint with age. Best thing to do is use Brasso or metal polish to get a sheen and you will notice the cloth will have a brown residue, not unlike nicotine. Leave it at that or buy a repro if you want bling and put the original on your garage wall.

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for that. Dont do bling!!

Cheers. Andrew