Lagondaforum

Subject: Re: Leaf Spring Bodge Buttons

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My V12 was rebuilt to "as new" standard in 1945 (the youngest car restoration ever?!), including new springs. When I removed these to have them reset and retempered, I dismantled them, and discovered that the interleaving was (unmistakeably from the smell!) bakelite. Not a material I would have considered suitable...yet it was largely still in excellent condition, so clearly up to the job despite that.

Presumably zinc in short supply at the war's end. The spring rebuilder replaced it with zinc interleaving, however did return the original bakelite strips to me. So...there is a period precedent for plastic interleaving!

Laurence

Subject: Re: Leaf Spring Bodge Buttons

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I'm had no idea this mundane subject would become so interesting ! And now, the great inventor Leo Baekeland is involved!

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Subject: Re: Leaf Spring Bodge Buttons

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Your workshop must be heated if you’re working on your car at the moment Barry. We’re visiting Toronto to see the Leafs play the Habs in April so have been following the weather. Living in an area surrounded by water I imagine it’s pretty chilly where you are.

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