Radiator Muff

Paul Spencer · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 10:17 am Post subject: Radiator Muff

Some time back, I made a temporary muff for the radiator of my 3 Litre to establish the size I wanted. Now it is time to make the real thing. This will be done in black quilted leather with a central section that can roll up so I have two settings, each worth about ten degrees Celsius (I have no thermostat). I have a few things to work out. The most important is how to attach it to the stone guard of the radiator. My temporary solution had used the springy things used to hold net curtains hooked onto the stone guard. I could use the same again, but there must be a neater way.

I am also looking at how to hold the opening section open and closed. For closed, I think I will use two or three turnbuckles. To open, the centre section will roll up. Straps behind will will then be pulled up and fixed. I had wondered about turnbuckles for this as well, but am worried about scratching the stonguard when the flap is closed and the straps hang down behind. I could just use buttonholes and buttons, but I am not sure this would look right.

Does anyone have advice and/or pictures to help? I have seen some in the past, but didn't take photos and haven't seen any lately.

John Robins · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 6:35 am Post subject:

The one on my Ford Perpendicular Popular used Dzus type hood fasteners to retain the whole thing, and the opening sections were rolled down and had a tab that stuck out at each end with a press stud type fastener to retain it either open or closed. The manufacturer was IIRC "Midland" who also made pushbike saddles and saddlebags.

My godmother also had a similar thing but of but horizontal design to suit the radiator grille of her side valve Morris Minor.

The example shown below looks to have come off a Lanchester with the porthole water level indicator in the header tank, or maybe a Wolseley with the illuminated badge. (Or maybe it's upside down and it's a starting handle hole.)

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-vintage-car-leather-radiator-muff-by-midland.-423-c-692b11e8fc

Paul Spencer · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 6:55 am Post subject:

Thanks John. Presumably, one part of the hood-type fastener had to be fixed to the radiator. Do you remember how?

John Robins · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 8:41 am Post subject:

I'm sorry Paul, too long ago, the Pop was a 1954 although eleven years old when I bought it, for £55, and the Minor a 1952!

The only thing I can be sure of is that the fittings were permanently on the cars, fitted through the grilles and secured from behind, and the muffs were rolled up and stored in the summer.

Perhaps the suppliers of hoods for Midgets or Spitfires could help, or there seems to be a good selection of aircraft quality fasteners of this type on the interweb.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 5:05 pm Post subject:

You know those thing for pushing through holes in dry lined plasterboard and the toggle drops down and is screwed up tight, to hold the thingy to the wall.

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 5:29 pm Post subject:

Like this you see! (genius at work again).

John Robins · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 6:15 pm Post subject:

Deeply impressive!

I have used these in the past, but their one fault is, like an early post war Vauxhall, they show an almost total lack of resistance to corrosion.