Benelite grille

[Nick W]

What's the difference between mk1 -mk2 . I'm looking for a mk1 with holes for Lucas 576 lamps

[mk1]

MK1 fits a MK1,MK2 fits a MK2.

Or am I missing something obvious?

M

[Nick W]

MK1 fits a MK1,MK2 fits a MK2.

Or am I missing something obvious?

M

HaHa.... thing is I cant find a mk1... and as the front panels are the same could a mk2 be altered as I have found a mk2
Nick

[mk1]

If the grille is a MK2 shape, I don't think it can be modified to fit a MK1 as the bottom corners are smaller on a MK2 grille.

I may however be totally wrong.

M

[swifty]

Yes I'm pretty sure you can cut a mk2 witch is wider to fit a mk1 . In fact I can recall me old mate saying that he's done it ... Ken

[mk1]

I will certainly be a close run thing.

[Jack of all trades]

MK1 fits a MK1,MK2 fits a MK2.

Or am I missing something obvious?

M

Well, you might as there are two different styles of MK1 mini fitting Benelite grilles (or four if you count the holes for spot or fog lights)

If you look at page 11 of this http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/pdf/bg_1.pdf

You'll see a 9 slat Benelite

Then look at page 5 of this http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/pdf/bg_3.pdf

And you'll count 13 slats!

Somewhere in time the design changed (probably somewhere in 1966)

So are these both MK1 Benelite or Benelite MK1 mini fitting?

Jack

[surfblue63]

I doubt if a Mk2 cold be made to fit a Mk1. It narrows at the bottom and also has a thick trim piece attached to the bottom which the Mk2 grille ends locate on. I have a couple of spot light Mk2 grilles, if I'm near a lock up with my camera in the next few days I'll post some pictures.

PS They are not for sale as I have plans to use them.

[Nick W]

I can now see the difference in the corners ..thanks for the images....I will have to keep looking for a mk1 type

[mk1]

Speak to Swifty / Swiftys mate before you give up hope.

m

[swifty]

Nick the fiesta yellow mini is Scott turners and I'm pretty sure he mentioned to me it was made from a mk2 benelite . He's pretty hard to get hold of sometimes because of his work load , but when I can I will confirm ... Ken

[Nick W]

Thanks Ken , it looks good on that fiesta yellow mini
I've now got a mk1 benelite grille coming .. Thanks to the mk1 performance wanted section!

Nick

[Tedwong]

Sorry that I came late to join the discussion
The following pic showing the top and bottom ones for MK2/3, and the middle one for MK1. You will not have the corners to put a MK2 into a MK1!

Ted

[Hipwell]

Not sure if anyone knows but these grilles where originally made by our family business in Birmingham.

Although we are more of a trade business, below is a period advert of ours.

[mk1]

Hipwell,

That is very interesting!

I have a few other bits made by your family company.

An exhaust extractor springs to mind.

I don't imagine you still have the tooling for the benelite grille do you?

M

[Pete]

That is interesting, never realised Arden (not the Jim Whitehouse Arden) were the parent company. I think I've got an Arden catalogue I the loft!

[Hipwell]

Hipwell,

That is very interesting!

I have a few other bits made by your family company.

An exhaust extractor springs to mind.

I don't imagine you still have the tooling for the benelite grille do you?

M

The grilles, we took over production some time in the 1970's. We only carried the mini ones on, which were sold through Brown and Geeson.

Quote my Uncle. "The aluminium section (which now NLA) was rivoted together, when all together the outline/shape was cut by hand on a band saw. Then to get the bowed shape, they were stood on in a wooden jig!" Precision engineering at its best.

Yes we made all the kitch accessories, tbh not many people now many of the parts we made.
We instigated the Bullet mirror in the 60's, made all the Alexander ones (Wood and Pickett/Broadspeed aswell), assembled some of the Les Leston ones. Even made the original Tex bullet mirrors for production, before they got them from the far east.

Did all the crappy walnut gearknobs and emblems, lever extenders for Speedwell etc.

My Grandfather always bought up stock when places went bust, Jemca, Brown & Geeson, even bought the Styla name AFAIK.

Matt

Ps. Yes we did the exhaust 'boosters' we even did a copy of the Snap boosters as used on the racing Ferraris!

[Hipwell]

That is interesting, never realised Arden (not the Jim Whitehouse Arden) were the parent company. I think I've got an Arden catalogue I the loft!

Not necessarily the parent company, but we took over production for many years.

Yes I'm sure you will find some niche accessories in there! lol

[mk1]

Hipwell,

What are yop manufacturing nowadays?

Its great to hear that someone is still making some money making stuff as opposed to selling Chinese imports.

M

[Hipwell]

Hipwell,

What are yop manufacturing nowadays?

Its great to hear that someone is still making some money making stuff as opposed to selling Chinese imports.

M

We do all the hub caps for most vendors chrome/stainless/aluminium. Headlamp rims, wheel trims, air filters and we keep the racing mirrors going.

Not sure about making money, all the most profitable parts are copied overseas, but we put up a fight for British manufacture!

Matt