Side Curtains

Hi to All, The frames for the side cutains for my 140 OTS are missing and I have thought of attempting to make a set. Can anyone tell me if there was any difference between the curtain frames for 120's and 140's. Once I know what I am looking for and before I try to make a set, does anyone have a set they would like to sell. - Thanks Neville Laing

The frames are similar but not exactly the same. The main difference is in the chrome piece that mounts to the door. The spacing of the mounting tangs are different and are longer on the XK140. The fabric covered part and the glass/frame part are the same shape. The front mounting holes of the chrome piece to the fabric covered part may be a different spacing also. I will have to look. I had to trade a while back for a pair of XK140 frames as both sets of frames I had were for XK120. - Cleo Bay Jr., 52 XK120 OTS

Neville,

I make side curtain frame assemblies in polished stainless steel. Although the 120 and 140 look alike, every piece is different. Each side curtain assembly has the folowing components: The door frame ( 3/8" dia stock with a flat ground on one side) with two welded J shaped slotted hooks, a window frame made from 1/2" wide x 1/8"hot roll (this part is painted and most of it is sewed into the fabric of the side curtain), the three edge surrounds for the plexiglass window (these are the most difficult parts to make). To make an accurate copy of an original a lot of tooling has to be made first! The 120 short top used a different version, and I believe the alloy body cars had differences also. You might be able to find a used set, some of the things to look out for are: broken studs in the door frame, bodged holes or extra holes on the edge surrounds, heavy rust pitting on the door frame, and excessive dents and distorsion on the edge surrounds. A quick way to identify a 120 set from a 140 set is: The 120 top edge surround ( this is the chromed piece that protects the plexiglass from cracking) has two attachment holes on its trailing edge and one hole on its leading edge.(beware some owners have added extra holes) The 140 top edge surround has six attachment holes. You might want buy a warm coat and hat instead because although they might look simple these parts are labor blackholes, throw in an intricate sewing job and a storage bag, you have a big ticket item. P.S. when are we going to see your car on the website? - Regards, Wray Schelin

Wray, Your information re the side curtains and differences was most interesting. A rarely discussed item. I had a set that were re trimmed by Suffolk & Turley in the UK but lacked the chromed surround. I had this made locally from brass and quite a good job was done, but I have never reassembled the whole thing due to the difficulties of matching up the holes in the surround, the perspex and the frame! I can well understand why you say they are a big labour item. I would like to discuss further with you one of these days. - Regards, John Elmgreen

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