9.1 Restoration of the radiator grill

The radiator grill for the Lotus Seven S4 ( [link] ) was a more significant item than the simple wire frame used in the earlier series cars (e.g., [link] ). Instead of a wire frame, the S4 radiator grill consisted of two vertical supports onto which were fitted slats that were separated by tubular spacers. The horizontal slats have an asymmetrical cross section ( [link] ). Incorporated into the whole unit was the number plate brackets.

Restoration

Because of the fire that consumed the majority of the fiberglass of LBS4/2894/GT, the radiator grill was obviously not attached to the remains of the car. Luckily it had been saved and could be reused. [link] shows the radiator grill as collected after the fire. The horizontal slats showed some sign of buckling, possibly as a consequence of the fire, along with surface rust.

Removing the nut from the bottom of the vertical rods allowed for the stepwise removal of each slat along with the tubular spacers. The resulting components are shown in [link] .

The horizontal slats and the tubular spacers were each cleaned by media blasting and powder coated by Custom Coatings, Inc. Care was taken to ensure not to powder coat the insides of the spacers. The vertical supports were cleaned with rust remover and painted with a rust converter primer. The radiator grill was temporary assembled in order to ensure fit ( [link] - [link] ). However, since the horizontal slats are of different lengths, some reorganization may be required while fitting into the bonnet.

Resources

• Custom Coatings, 16219 Dundee, Cypress, TX 77429, USA. Tel: +1 281 813 0119.