SP250 Hood Frame steel

[Alan Hill]

I’m just about to restore my Hood Frame for the Dart and find that I need to renew two of the three Roof crossover supports. These supports are constructed from 3/4” x 1/2” (19mm x 12.5mm) half-round tube and are around 1500mm in length but I’m having great difficulty in sourcing new material. Does anyone have any ideas please?

Thanks,

Alan

[Vortex O'Plinth]

I don't know of any retail source of half round or 'D' section tube. This firm can supply half round bar 20mm x 10mm which is near your required size, but I suspect 'D' section is usually rolled from round tube by specialists to order.

New frames are available - at a price - from David Manners and probably from Barry Thorne.

Sportscar Metalworks, ('Metal Mickey') actually manufactures new frames and if they're to original pattern he will have a source of tube. I can't recommend him as a supplier but he might be worth contacting to see if he can help you out.

[Alan Hill]

Thanks for that Nick, it gives me something more to go on.

[timmartin]

Just a thought, but whenever I look at my own hood frame I wish that it was in stainless... even if only parts of it, especially those in contact with the hooding fabric. Not strictly original of course, but it can be hidden behind paint if it offends.

Sometimes stainless does not work out as many percent more expensive than plain carbon steel as one might guess - see for example Nick’s link to Sportscar Metalworks, and their prices for SP petrol tanks in plain steel or stainless.

[Alan Hill]

Funnily enough, I had come across some tube in Stainless but it was an online Site from somewhere out East. Can’t bring myself to take the risk with that just yet.
I do like stainless but I think whatever material I end up with, I’ll probably get the whole lot Blasted and Powder coated as the majority of the frame is structurally sound.