8 replies to this topic

[Traveller63]

Hi there,

I am after any information anyone has about the chrome window catches on early mk1 minis. I know they were used to approx may 63 etc. But over the last few years i have gathered up quite a few of them (over 50 infact) and have found so many varitaions in them. The most obvious varition is some have a plate on the bottom with 2 screws (so they easily can be pulled apart) and some dont. Some have the pin for two holes in glass and some dont. I know that the single hole glass was for the 59s. Some of the front catches have a hollow guts whether most are solid. I even have a catch with a pin (for 2 hole glass) that the guts of it is hollowed out. I also note some varitations with the numbers of the back of them. Some have 'P1' engraved in the back, most dont. Also i note that identical catches even with the same main number eg 7/23469/5, has another single number above this main number. Could this single digit be a date stamp? as in month of manufacturer? I have them ranging from 1-7 Surely if it was a month date stamp out of 50 odd catches i would have some with an 8-12?
I am restoring a march 63 Traveller currently that is going to absolute concours/showroom condition of how it come out of the factory and would like to put the right catches on it (seeing i have the choice).

If anyone can help with any information it would be greatly appreciated. (and no the catches are not for sale...not yet anyway ) )

Thank you

Roy.

[JustSteve]

I don't know anything about them, but my dads '64 mini had them... infact it still does

[dklawson]

I don't know anything about them, but my dads '64 mini had them... infact it still does

Chances are that your dad's '64 was built in '63 and sold in '64. My '64 (built in July) came to me with the original glass and catches which were the later black plastic type.

You may get a lot more information about the catches on "The Early Mini Forum"
http://specialistmin...ku.com/forums/5
You will have to register, but it is free. People there know a tremendous amount about early Mini history and evolution.

[MRA]

The number 1 - 7 might simply be the casting tool number... often referred to as the "cavity"

This is usually associated with plastic parts, with plastic parts the injection machine may be big enough to produce any number of "impressions" or parts in one go, each individual cavity is often numbered 1 to n (where n = last number or quantity of parts per injection cycle)

Casting is a little different, however the same sort of system would enable a quality issue to be pin pointed straight away, and more importantly allow the other tools to carry on producing...

[R1van]

[quote name="Traveller63" post="2165626" timestamp="1309474413"]Hi there,

I am after any information anyone has about the chrome window catches on early mk1 minis. I know they were used to approx may 63 etc. But over the last few years i have gathered up quite a few of them (over 50 infact) and have found so many varitaions in them. The most obvious varition is some have a plate on the bottom with 2 screws (so they easily can be pulled apart) and some dont. Some have the pin for two holes in glass and some dont. I know that the single hole glass was for the 59s. Some of the front catches have a hollow guts whether most are solid. I even have a catch with a pin (for 2 hole glass) that the guts of it is hollowed out. I also note some varitations with the numbers of the back of them. Some have 'P1' engraved in the back, most dont. Also i note that identical catches even with the same main number eg 7/23469/5, has another single number above this main number. Could this single digit be a date stamp? as in month of manufacturer? I have them ranging from 1-7 Surely if it was a month date stamp out of 50 odd catches i would have some with an 8-12?
I am restoring a march 63 Traveller currently that is going to absolute concours/showroom condition of how it come out of the factory and would like to put the right catches on it (seeing i have the choice).

If anyone can help with any information it would be greatly appreciated. (and no the catches are not for sale...not yet anyway ) )

Thank you

Have you decided to sell a set yet ??

Whoops this is 3 year old post !!!!

But still you may still have a set for sale

[mk1leg]

I have a spare set I will dig them out and take some pic for you if youre interested........

[surfblue]

 

I don't know anything about them, but my dads '64 mini had them... infact it still does

Chances are that your dad's '64 was built in '63 and sold in '64. My '64 (built in July) came to me with the original glass and catches which were the later black plastic type.

You may get a lot more information about the catches on "The Early Mini Forum"
http://specialistmin...ku.com/forums/5
You will have to register, but it is free. People there know a tremendous amount about early Mini history and evolution.

 

My June 63 Mini Minor has plastic catches,

[R1van]

I have a spare set I will dig them out and take some pic for you if youre interested........

Yes please could you pm details

Many thanks

[R1van]

I have a spare set I will dig them out and take some pic for you if youre interested........

Do you still have a set I'm still looking