Plain or coloured bonnet handle?

[alandorman]

Hi
I have a 1961 Minor convertible. Does anyone know whether there should be red surrounding the M on the bonnet handle on this model? The bonnet badge has red and blue on it but the handle is plain.
Cheers
Alan

[BAS587]

Pretty sure it should have red around the "M", most of mine has come off due to washing & age.

[ManyMinors]

The badges were always red. My 1961 car still had the earlier type handle (or "flash" as it was called) where the badge was a separate part and the red was glass enamel. Later on, a less expensive handle was produced which was a one piece moulding with a painted badge. The red paint was not a plain red like the lower badge but a lighter metallic red if you want it to look "correct".
I think the later type of badge was introduced around the same time as the 1098cc engine.

[alandorman]

Thanks. Here's a picture of mine. Funnily it shows no evidence of being red beforehand , but it probably was. Any ideas of the exact colour of red?[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[LouiseM]

Funnily it shows no evidence of being red beforehand

The later reproduction badges aren't supplied painted. See this thread for paint suggestions:

http://mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t= ... ol#p517828

Just to add, in case you are unaware, your car should also have a red stripe on the side body moulding. Quite often they are left off following a respray.

[alandorman]

Thanks for that. Actually I'm having the thin red stripe added this week.
Alan

[ManyMinors]

As I said earlier, a plain red paint is NOT correct for that badge. If you want it correct it should be a lighter metallic red BUT your car shouldn't have that later design anyway.......

I'm not sure how well these pictures will reproduce but this earlier style is correct for a 1961 car......[frame][/frame]

[ManyMinors]

And this is the later, painted type.[frame][/frame]

[alandorman]

Thanks ManyMinors
To be clear are you saying that my car shouldn't have the painted surround for the M because that came later? I am ignorant of the exact historical details of the badges and bonnet handles. Any further clarification would be much appreciated.
Also, if it does need to be painted can you guide me to the correct red and paint type please?
Cheers
Alan

[alandorman]

Hi ManyMinors
I've just managed to get a decent photo of my bonnet handle. Can you tell me if it 's correct for my 1961 model?
Alan[frame][/frame]

[ManyMinors]

No, it isn't. As I said "this earlier style is correct for a 1961 model". New ones of the correct type seem to be listed new by ESM or GS Jones as part no: BPF139 or alternatively phone round the many Morris Minor specialists who advertise in the club magazine. Someone is bound to have a secondhand one? It is only a small detail but the correct badge will look better in my opinion. I hope you're going to have your red coachline painted on and not have a self adhesive vinyl one applied

Paint is never going to adhere well to chrome plating so it isn't surprising that most of the later painted badges have lost most of their paint by now!

[alandorman]

Hi
Very interesting. I'm on the trail now for a replacement handle! Yes I am having the line painted on the sides.
Many thanks.
Alan

[moggiethouable]

The wifes Red nail varnish works very well, comes complete with a brush too.

[alandorman]

Thanks to everyone for their advice.
I managed to source a beautiful replacement and correct handle which looks terrific. See photo.
Off to the Laon classic car 25th anniversary event next week and the car should look perfect now, if it actually manages to get that far!

Cheers
Alan[frame][/frame]

[ManyMinors]

That looks better Alan! Good luck with your travel plans - that sounds great fun and I'm sure your car will be fine.
Are you going to show us your new coachline too

[alandorman]

There it is. The new coachline.
Off next Thursday to Laon.
Alan[frame][/frame]

[Mr Spigot]

I read this post with interest as I have just worked on my bonnet handle on my 1960 saloon. I understand that the original would have had the enamelled 'medallions' fitted, but the one I have is the later one-piece fitting with just a plain chrome background. Secondhand versions are available, but mostly have poor chrome and/or the enamel is cracked, damaged or missing. While you can now get new 'medallion' types from ESM at a touch under £50, I decided to go for a cheaper DIY option.
My handle had some red paint round the 'M' which I cleaned off to get back to the bare chrome which was then cleaned. I had bought some Humbrol clear red paint (1321 stamped on lid for your reference) and painted a single coat of this onto the chrome. It gives a lovely bright finish and only one coat was needed. I then put 3 coats of clear varnish over the red paint and the end result is very similar to the 'medallion' model - I hope you agree!
Time will tell how long the finish lasts and you will note that the original Mazak is starting to bubble on mine, but this may be a useful option for some owners.

[MorrisJohn]

My handle had some red paint round the 'M' which I cleaned off to get back to the bare chrome which was then cleaned. I had bought some Humbrol clear red paint (1321 stamped on lid for your reference) and painted a single coat of this onto the chrome. It gives a lovely bright finish and only one coat was needed. I then put 3 coats of clear varnish over the red paint and the end result is very similar to the 'medallion' model - I hope you agree!
Time will tell how long the finish lasts and you will note that the original Mazak is starting to bubble on mine, but this may be a useful option for some owners.

Very useful indeed! I’d been considering repainting my own (paint is all gone). It’s a ‘57. Thanks for the humbrol paint code and clear varnish tip. I shall give it a go

Note: Humbrol paint appears discontinued. The equivalent Revell paint code is 731. Hobby colour H90. The conversion chart can be found here http://www.modelshop.sk/UserData/files ... mbrol.pdf

[Mr Spigot]

Note: Humbrol paint appears discontinued. The equivalent Revell paint code is 731. Hobby colour H90. The conversion chart can be found here http://www.modelshop.sk/UserData/files ... mbrol.pdf

I did actually buy the Revell version and tried it first, but it was an opaque pinky red and I soon wiped it off. The Humbrol had been sitting in my garage for a while and luckily I found it after trying the Revell one. A quick look online shows a few stockists still have some so might be worth hunting around - try https://rcmodelstore.co.uk/humbrol-enam ... 33510.html. Failing that an appropriate nail varnish might work, but good luck trying to get the right shade in the make-up department!

You will need a fine brush and keep applying the varnish until it comes up almost level with the surface of the 'M'.

[KeithL]

Rimmel used to do an I Love Lasting Finish Exotica 61 nail varnish which was a good match but it doesn't look like you can that any more either.