Curly Attachment Hooks 1938 10hp Coupe

[chris dancey]

I spent the day yesturday with Den Gallacher from Perth, Australia. We were at the workshop looking over my continuing restoration progress on GEV and Snowdrop when a question arose that we both could not answer, but had a submission.

On GEV, the 1938 10 coupe, just inside the top corners of the drop down boot opening there is what I could only describe as two ' curly hooks ' , they face downwards. I was curious as to their purpose and Den suggested that they may be attachment hooks for a chain that maybe was a support for the drop down boot. At the moment the boot is held by a wire with eyelets which I have seen on another coupe but may not be original. This wire is fixed length. If originally a chain was used this would allow some flexibility to the chain length when attached to the curly hook.

Has anyone any idea of the purpose of these ' curly attachment hooks , and does Dens assumption make any sense ?

[lakesrally]

Hi Chris, can you post a photo?

[chris dancey]

Hi Stewart,

I will take some photos next time I am in the workshop.

[andrewmcg]

Hi Chris

I think I know exactly what you are talking about and Den is right. I had a 1935 speed14 coupe and still have a 1935 14 coupe, both cars had/have the type of hooks you describe and yes they support the drop down boot lid.

The straps consist of a thickish wire (about 10 strands) covered in coloured leather to match the trim with eyelets at both ends. One eyelet goes on the 'curly hook' in the car the other is fixed to the boot lid by means of a double sided bracket with a hole through it which is threaded on one side and the eyelet goes between the bracket sides and is held in place by a short threaded bolt inserted from the plain side of the bracket goes through the eyelet and picks up the thread on the other side of the bracket. The eyelets are then free to move at both ends and basically the strap folds in two as you close the boot lid.

Trust this makes sense!!!!

Meantime if you speak to Den again before he goes back please tell him I have a lot of photos of 1935/36 14 coupes if he is interested and has time tell him to give me a call, my number is in the members list.

Kind regards and happy Rovering in 2014

Andrew

[chris dancey]

Thanks Andrew, Den really got it pretty much right. Your description was perfect...it all makes perfect sense. The side support wires are in place on GEV, they are probably not the originals but pretty much as you describe and not attached to the curly hooks, so this needs to be altered. I will make the boot attachment brackets as per your description...would you be able to give me overall dimensions please.

Den is going back to Australia this wednesday, I will contact him in a week or so, ( he has had a family berevement ) and pass on your message.

Thanks again, Happy New Year, the Coupe is pretty much finished so hoping to bring it along to some meetings.

Best Regards,

Chris

[andrewmcg]

Hello there Chris

Sorry for delay in replying but have been up North with our daughters family and things a bit hectic here since returning.

Anyway I am not sure of the concealed plate that fixes the bracket to the the boot lid with 2 screws as it is covered with carpet, but the upstanding part is very much like the clevis on the P2 mechanical brakes, with the up-stand about 3/4 of an inch tall and about 1/2 an inch wide and curved at the top. Trust this makes sense??

Regards
Andrew

[chris dancey]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the dimensions, I have made up the necessary attachments and also arranged for ' Speedy Cables ' to make up two new suspension wires with the correct eyelets, the wires being covered and the necessary length of wire ( 23" from eyelet to eyelet), this ensures the boot lid lays parallel to the ground when in suspension and the top eyelet is attached to the curly hook.

Thanks again, your description was spot on.

Chris