Grille Shell Lacing

[Rob Reilly]

On a TA chrome grille shell, what material is used for the lacing through the holes around the edge?
Rubber? Woven web?

[Steve Simmons]

I'm not sure anyone ever solved this definitively. The general wisdom suggests that it was a rubberized woven canvas. Some claim that later TCs switched from this to rubber but I don't know if that's accurate. I believe the big pre-war saloons specified "rubber lacing" but again it's likely this was actually a woven material covered in rubber. I don't think you'll lose any points with one over another but I understand the pursuit of correctness. Canvas is likely more abrasive than rubber if that helps the decision.

[Tom Wilson]

All parts lists and build specifications (or, Spec 259 for TC) list rubber for the radiator shell buffer.
Factory photos of the period support this.
Tom Wilson
TC 0273, 0279, 2040

[Rob Reilly]

Is this true for the TA?
I can't find anything about it in the 1936 MG 10 HP spec sheets.
I can't even find the grille.

[Steve Simmons]

I would assume (dangerous I know) that it would be the same as the rest of the pre-war cars. The SA parts book does specify "rubber lacing" so whatever the SA had, I'm betting the TA had. I also suspect that if it were rubber coated canvas, the lacing would look just like solid rubber. One thing that comes to mind are the MGA/MGB rear axle rebound straps. Woven cloth covered in a thick rubber outer.

[Rob Reilly]

I don't even find lacing in the TC Spec 259, nor a grille.
I see 53865-Z Bonnet Body Protector - Rubber (quantity 4) on sheet 16, but those have to be the corner protectors on the bonnet.

[DMCFARLAND]

I'm reassembling the radiator/grille shell after having the radiator on my 55 TF 1500 repaired. Can anyone guide through the order of assembly, in particular the rubber lacing? I'm trying to determine how to install the lacing after the radiator and grill have been screwed together, since the lacing covers some of the screw heads.

[Rob Reilly]

I have ordered some woven cloth lacing from Worcester Classic Spares, but have heard nothing from them, so I don't know if they are still operating.

Anyway, I'll offer a guess that TF is pretty much the same as TA. Where two holes are close together, the lacing goes through on the inside. Where two holes are far apart, the lacing comes up on the outside and spans the large gap, so it provides a cushion for the bonnet to rest on. Screw heads get covered by the lacing, unless they are between two holes that are close together. In the center the lacing goes under because there is a chrome clip screwed on there for the center bonnet hinge.

20240320_092023.jpg (51.57 KiB) Viewed 2368 times

[SteveTC]

I recently used "oil" (kerosene) lamp wick, as I did some 30 years ago for TC 0269.
Looks good!
Steve Taylor

[Rob Reilly]

That's a great idea! Amazon has it in 3/8" wide 6 foot rolls.

[Tom Wilson]

Rob, I like the look of lacing but tend to stay with originality - all the factory photos I've ever seen showing this piece show rubber. Be aware that the fabric type tends to abrade the bonnet paint where it contacts the bonnet over time. But wither will work . . .
And a 1949 factory photo is attached. There are also 1945, 1946, 1948, and prewar photos I have showing rubber lacing.
Radiator assemblies were delivered complete and fully assembled from Osberton Radiator Works to MG for install; even the slats were painted. All MG had to to is install it on the car: I think it was the fifth station on the chassis track this happened.

Then when the tub was mounted someone had to be paying enough attention to get the tub paint and interior color correct with the radiator slat color!
Tom Wilson
TC0273, TC0279, TC2040
VA1508 and eleven MMMs . . .

[Rob Reilly]

Do you have a pre-war photo?
Maybe of a TA if there is a choice.

[Duncan M]

I've seen people use heavy canvas material, folded over (maybe ironed) and trimmed to the correct width. Black shoe polish would make it black. Lasts a few years, no doubt. May have been old cut up tonneau cover.. Looked like it belonged there, or at least not out of place.

[Rob Reilly]

Here is what my 1950 Jaguar saloon had originally.

And what it has now, sourced from Worcester Classic Spares in the UK.