BJ8 Front Emblem

[gsable]

Everything I read states that the MK III emblem on the BJ8 is chrome with red cloisinne (sp?) or red paint. I have an original emblem that is polished aluminum, not chrome. Were there two different emblems or the BJ8? I no there was a change to red paint but was not aware that there was a change to the finish of the metal

 

[Keoke]

Everything I read states that the MK III emblem on the BJ8 is chrome with red cloisinne (sp?) or red paint. I have an original emblem that is polished aluminum, not chrome. Were there two different emblems or the BJ8? I no there was a change to red paint but was not aware that there was a change to the finish of the metal

Yes there were two> Only the later 67 car badges were painted

 

[gsable]

Yes, I know about the color change but I am questioning whether the badge is chrome as everyone states, or is it polished aluminum. My original has no chrome on it and now I am wondering if it really is original.
Happy Turkey Day and thanks for your response.

 

[Basil]

I moved this thread to the Austin Healey forum. It was posted in "Forum Navigation Help" which is for asking questions about how to navigate the BCF forums.

 

[gsable]

Thanks Basil,
Still trying to get used to the new website.

 

[RAC68]

Over the more than 48 years I have been involved with BJ8s,I can’t remember seeing an aluminum (not chrome) front emblem. I have seen a number of odd Original parts onHealeys (mine came through with a piece of nicely formed engine colored angleiron as the front pivot of my HD8 carburetor linkage) so it is always possiblethat your emblem is original. However,although there is an outside chance your emblem is original, I would expect itwas probably acquired from a third party provider and installed some time inits post-manufacture life.

I would like to see pictures as most original chrome emblemsare now shallow of chrome. Remember, backthen, most polishes contained some abrasive as a cleaning agent.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[BigGreen]

Not the best picture, but this is the one that was on when I bought it 2 years ago
BJ8 april / March 1967

Hans

 

[Jeepster]

The original emblem on my BJ8 has poor chrome and some of the enamel is chipped but I think when the car comes back from the body shop I will choose to refit it in its current state rather than fit a repro part as I believe these are sub standard. Nice to see a little character from the history of the car don't you think?

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Not the best picture, but this is the one that was on when I bought it 2 years ago
BJ8 april / March 1967

Hans

The paint could have been removed and the PO just left the chrome showing of the cloisonne laterial cracked/broken and the PO polished the chrome. Definitely not original.

 

[BigGreen]

Patrick,

Not sure about the originality, but it has never been covered with the see trough paint.
The coloured versions I have now (two of them) both have dots in the surface behind the colour
This "chrome" one is flat all the way and has characters that are round on top

.. continueing the search ...

Hans

 

[gsable]

This is a picture of the front emblem that is polished aluminum, not chrome. The red portion is cloisonne (dots in the surface) not red paint as in later versions of the BJ8. It looks very original to me and yet all information says it should be chrome.

Any thoughts?

 

[BigGreen]

To compare, two of the ones I have

And a picture of AHBJ8/41952 on e-bay at this moment

 

[davidb]

Looks to me like the previous owner removed the paint, which was possibly peeling (since I don't think this particular one had the enamel/cloisonne). Just my opinion, but a repaint in red would stand out quite nicely with the british racing green.....

Cheers

DB

 

[BigGreen]

In my opinion, with the smooth surface paint would not stick very long.

My doubt is about the letters.
Those with the cloisone have flat tops, looks like they are grinded down to the cloisone surface
The non painted version has letters with a round edge, so painting would make the shown letters very thin.

 

[davidb]

What I have done in the past with my emblems to keep them from showing pits is to do a quick spray with a clear coat from a rattle can. Seems to work fine. You could paint the Healey emblem (a little fussy, but with patience....), and clear coat to seal the paint. Just be sure of compatibility, so you don't get wrinkling. You're likely right on the "grinding down" of the letters on cloisonne emblems, as opposed to the more rounded letters on painted ones. Good observation.
Nice driveway by the way.
DB

 

[BJ8Healeys]

Everything I read states that the MK III emblem on the BJ8 is chrome with red cloisinne (sp?) or red paint. I have an original emblem that is polished aluminum, not chrome. Were there two different emblems or the BJ8? I no there was a change to red paint but was not aware that there was a change to the finish of the metal

gsable, I have never seen a BJ8 nose badge that was aluminum. The badges were (as far as I know) only of chrome plated base metal (perhaps brass, although I've never seen one completely stripped). The earlier badges had a red cloisonné (melted red glass) center, while cars from somewhere around chassis number 39XXX got a similar badge with a red-painted center. Over the years, the red paint on some badges flaked off or was removed, leaving the chrome base. The cloisonné can also crack and otherwise be damaged with the remainder removed, again leaving the chrome base.

The parts manual shows only two part numbers for the badge, but does not identify the change point from cloisonné to painted. Since I have kept the BJ8 registry for the last 14 years and record the badge configuration as one of the data items, I know that the physical evidence places the change point near chassis 39XXX.

The picture in your attachment shows just a typical badge without the cloisonné or paint. How do you know your badge is aluminum?

 

[British_Recovery]

Painted badge has rounded surface on the lettering, and is completely chrome finish if the paint comes off. If the cloisonné comes off the other badge, there's a copper surface that has grit to it that helps the melted glass adhere. The edges of the lettering would have a sharp edge. I've never come across an aluminum badge. Hope this helps. Bob

 

[GregW]

I'll add a little confusion to this discussion. I have car # 38555. I have the exact badge that BigGreen has. I don't know what type of metal is under the chrome, but a really strong magnet I have was not attracted to the badge at all. The badge's metal seems too hard to be aluminum thought. Here is a picture of my car when my dad had it. This shot was taken in the fall of 1970, less than three years after my dad bought it new. You can see that the badge is chrome. Not saying the paint couldn't have peeled off, I just think it is unlikely.

And yes, he is towing a boat out of the back yard.

 

[healeyblue]

lots of "pot metal" trim is also non magnetic

 

[BigGreen]

Thanks a lot for all the reactions, great forum this is.

Happend te be the opening day of The Dutch Healeymuseum yesterday
A good friend and Healey specialist met one other; my garagist and Hans van de Kerkhof himself
Hans told about the same as most of the reactions; no badge without red be it cloisone or paint

But hey, you never know with an English car ;-)
Mine will never be in councours, it has to do what it is made for, drive and get dirty.