Hello. I attended a concours event and was penalized 4 points for not have a chrome strip on the front lip of my convertible xk120 top. No manufacturer has that strip and I wonder if it really existed and why do you take off points for something that can't be purchased and placed on your car? I have looked at old pictures of the convertible 120's and I can't find this strip. 4 points is a big deduction! Thanks. Steve

Submitted by SE21-35014J on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 16:30

Howard, I did mine the same way except I used solid brass rod, becauise 3/8' SS rod is difficult to bend in the compound , "lateral-plane" directions required for the 140 hood. Even using brass required a blow-tourch to to make some of the bends. I would probably use copper if I had to do it again, since the brass had to be copper-plated before chrome-plating and the chrome shop said that would work. The machine shop also suggested copper as much easier to mill than brass or SS. I just used a rachet wood clamp to press the screw-nails into the wood rather than a mallet -for more precise control and prevent any damage to the chrome.

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 20:17

Jerry, I made this piece for my 54 120 OTS by milling the proper diameter stainless rod to a half round then tapered the ends on a grinder, then drilled and tapped for #4 screws which I turned to a nail point on a lathe, then highly polished the piece, bent it to the proper angle, then loctited the pointed screws in place and then patiently tapped it onto the front wood bow in the top. It was beautiful. I am interested in seeing how you did it. Howard.

Submitted by SE21-35014J on Sun, 07/08/2012 - 18:38

Steve, As I am sure -George has informed you that the pin beading required for the front edge of the hood/top of the XK convertibales is available. However, It is a "do-it-yourself" endeaver with many opportunities for difficulty and "screw-ups".

The comercially available "kit" consists of a hollow half-round brass tube filled with lead with nails (pins) embeded in the lead -which you must measure, bend-to-shape, and then have chromed. Bend a nail/pin or loosen them in chroming (if your chrome shop will even do the job), and you have disaster.

If you are interested, send me your e-mail address and I will send to you the detailed instructions for the methoid I used to make the pin-beading for my 140 OTS which is simple and fool-proof and gives perfect results -without any of the problems encountered in the comercial "kits". It does require the availability of a local machine shop.

Jerry Ellison
jerlynn2atmsn.com