MG-Cars.info
MG MGA What are these star shaped items? BBS discussion at MG-Cars.info
MG-Cars.info
Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.
Parts
MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.
|
|
MG MGA - What are these star shaped items?
| These items were in use way back in time. I have never seen them before. They were fitted in cars, and they can also be fitted in the MGA. Can anyone say exactly what they are and what was their purpose? Frank 
|
| F. Camilleri |
| I reckon they might be parts from Andrex friction dampers? http://www.sportsandvintage.co.uk/AndreHartford.htm What are the rough dimensions, a scale reference would be handy. Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
Mike, They do look like parts of a friction type shock absorber. Was the company of Andre Hartford the same company as Andre Components which made the Andrex shock absorbers that were an option on the MGA? The MGA used Andrex shock absorbers on some of the factory Le Mans cars. They were a factory option but could not be used if an anti-sway bar was fitted. Mick 
|
| M F Anderson |
| A factory Le Mans car with Andrex shock absorbers. Mick 
|
| M F Anderson |
| A close up view of the Andrex shock absorber on the Le Mans MGA. Mick 
|
| M F Anderson |
| The Andre Harford friction damper springs had 5 ears. Frank's item has 6. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Hi all, I'm afraid they are not for friction dampers. I know exactly what they are because I have the instruction leaflet which comes with the items. I shall let more people guessing first, after which I will reveal what they really are. I will also attach pictures of the instruction leaflet for everyone to see. By the way, they are made of brass. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| I seem to think that things like that have been on the back of voltage regulators. Sandy |
| Sandy Saunders |
| Paper clips to hold your rally instructions on the dash. |
| barneymg |
| I recon they are some kind of electrical contact perhaps. Star shape would seem to suggest they provide compression to hold something against something else. |
| AR Terry |
| would be helpful to have an idea of their size..... |
| Dominic Clancy |
| Dominic, the best way that I can describe them is as follows: They are shaped like a star fish, made from brass, with the exception that the little button which is riveted in the centre of each one is made of mild steel, and seems to have been machined to a round shape and tapered up to a concave shape ending with a point at the top. The diameter of the base of this button is approximately 4mm. The measurement of the prongs, (it has six prongs), is approximately 5cms from tip of one prong to the tip of the one opposite. That's the best description I can give. Well guys keep on guessing for now. I will send a brand new pair of these items, including fixing instructions, to the first person who can tell me what they are and what is their purpose on the car. I will send them free of charge including postage. You can fit these on your mga. Sorry Barney, but no they are not paper clips as you say' Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Sandy Saunders (USA) and AR Terry (UK), sorry guys you you got it wrong. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Horn contacts. |
| MAndrus |
| Are they to go in the fuel filler neck to prevent people siphoning petrol from the tank? |
| Dominic Clancy |
| Curses. How many guesses do we get Frank? Alan |
| AR Terry |
| Hi all, me again. MAndrews- not horn contacts. Dominic Clancy - Sorry, no they are not placed inside the fuel filler neck. AR Terry - you can all have as many guesses as you like. The closing date is SUNDAY the 12 March. On Monday I will post a new thread telling you what they are and what function they serve in the car, unless of course someone comes up with the right description by the closing date. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Must be an embellishment for a Maltese knight! |
| Dirk Van Ussel |
| fake nipples for Dirk's flat chested knight |
| Sandy Saunders |
| Inside the oil filter canister to provide pressure to the end, or to center the element in the canister. |
| MAndrus |
| Hub cap embelishers. |
| Gary Lock |
Dash board mount for your Sheriff's Badge!
|
| I B Morris |
| It replaces the thermostat, allowing a constant predetermined coolant flow. George |
| George G. |
| Just what I would need for dropping into the neck of the radiator filler in order to reduce the pressure from my upgraded 7lb cap - and then wish I hadn't ... David |
| D Smith |
| last time I saw these they were on Madonna's chest |
| Neil Ferguson |
| Not Madonna no no no no--well maybe I like a woman with brass bits My guess is horn diaphram springs Frank are they horn springs Frank ! cheers willy |
| William Revit |
| or horn button spring willy |
| William Revit |
| A couple or more of the arms hook behind radiator slats and the pointed rivets push through the holes of rally plates to hold in place. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Wing mirror anti rattle springs? |
| Chris at Octarine Services |
| Hi folks, First of all I want to make a correction in my reply to Dominic Clancy's request to give the approx measurements of the items. Dominic in my reply to you I stated that the diameter of the little metal part riveted to the centre of the star shaped items is 4mm. Please substitute this figure to read 8mm. Well well, so far NO ONE has come up with the right answer. Another piece of information is that the items in question were sold by a firm in London. I'm not sure if they were also manufactured by the same people. Thank you all for your guesses, please keep them coming. Here is another pic of the little gadgets. What are their function on the car? Frank 
|
| F. Camilleri |
| It holds tight against a grease seal. |
| MAndrus |
| They hold a bug screen into the radiator grill. |
| MAndrus |
| They sit on the carpet as anti-slip spiders for an occasional rubber or loose mat. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Its a martial arts weapon to chuck at 4x4 drivers who are right up you A***e |
| AR Terry |
| Sorry guys, all guesses forwarded so far are all wrong. Keep thinking very hard fellas. Good luck Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| You know we're gonna get you in the parking lot, right? |
| MAndrus |
| off the top of your christmas tree |
| Graham V |
| Do they clip on the back of of your cowboy boots Frank? For when you want to wring that last little bit of horsepower from your MGAS engine?😁 Colyn |
| Colyn Firth |
| Frank, are they on all MGAs, some or very few? |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Now that you've giving an update in size, did Dolly Parton wear them? Don TF 4887 "Figaro' TC 1736 "Sibelius' |
| Don Walker |
| tensioner for a wiper motor gear |
| William Revit |
| To Mike Ellsmore: Mike I didn't say that these little star shaped parts are found on MGA's. If you like they are little extras that can be fitted in any car of possibly the 50's/60's, not sure on today's modern cars. But yes they can be fitted on MGA.s.They surely can be fitted in my MGA. Not sure they can go on all MGA's though. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Frank Can you add a little more detail? What is the thickness of the brass? Is the centre fixing removable? Any chance of a side elevation photo and also one of the underside? Do they have to be used as a pair? Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Frank, I hope following this thread doesn't mean I have lost an hour of my life I am never going to get back! Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Hi Steve, OK I can certainly add more detail. I will get my camera battery charged first, after which I will take some more pics and upload here. Answering you question, yes they do come in pairs. Will come back with more details later. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Are they toilet roll holders for the passenger side to deal with the experience of being driven in an MGA? |
| Chris at Octarine Services |
| Without the original box it was hard to tell at first, but there would originally (for the sports car edition) have been three: one green, one brown and one yellow (these have been over-restored at some stage). They were part of a compendium of games and distractions marketed for those occasional dalliances whilst waiting for roadside assistance after say, most of the smoke had escaped or the air had all migrated to the top half of a tyre. This was (for its day) a slightly risqué game imported from Australia. It was marketed in Europe as ‘Froggie went a-Courting’ (it had a shorter more alliterative title on home soil). The driver and navigator would split into two teams (of one each) and choose either brown or green for their own team. The yellow frog would be placed by whoever won the toss at a place of their choosing on the bonnet. Each player would then position their own brown or green frog near the radiator grille and, taking it in turns, would gently press down on the ‘hips’ of the frog and then snap their finger (or thumb) away causing it to ‘hop’. The uneven lengths of the frogs’ feet would allow the skilled player to elect which hip to use and more accurately to aim his frog. The ultimate objective was to be the first to land their own frog on the yellow frog. The instructions invited players to decide in advance what the appropriate forfeit would be if their own frog landed on its back. The game began to lose its popularity after louvred bonnets became more widespread. I’m sorry that I can’t help you, Frank, with the correct shades of paint for restoration, but someone on the forum will know. David |
| D Smith |
| David, that's a Bob Dylan song title. "Froggie went a-Courtin" Lyrics: Next to come in was a juney bug, uh-huh / Next to come in was a juney bug, uh-huh / Next to come in was a juney bug / She brought the water jug, uh-huh… |
| MAndrus |
| Mike Only one hour? I think you place one either side of a deodourising ball (not supplied) then use 6 small elastic bands (originals long since perished) to hold together. A piece of string with loops at both ends (not supplied) fits over the 2 rivets and is suspended from a high level windscreen mirror. The fact that most of us are now in our 60s to 80s and have never seen this item before shows how popular and successful it was! Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Static suppressors for the insides of hubcaps. |
| MAndrus |
| Can someone please let me know when this gets answered? Thanks... |
| Eugene Gillam |
| From an earlier post: The closing date is SUNDAY the 12 March. On Monday I will post a new thread telling you what they are and what function they serve in the car, unless of course someone comes up with the right description by the closing date. |
| MAndrus |
| I'm backin' Smithy's frogs! Barry. |
| Barry Gannon |
| Good morning gentlemen. Continuing with our little bit of fun. First of all to answer Steve Giles: thickness of brass is 0.5mm. Centre fixing is not really removeable, it will destroy the item if it is removed. Yes they are used in pairs. I have some more pics to upload, but I am not very knowledgeable in uploading multiple pictures on a single post. So I will upload one pic at a time, one in each post. Frank 
|
| F. Camilleri |
| The first pic with the last post is of the underside of the brass items. Another pic here. This one is taken with the items standing from the side. Frank 
|
| F. Camilleri |
| Another pic. This one is quite a good shot. The object underneath has nothing to do with our items, it is a metal box on which I slipped them in to stay upright for clarity. Frank 
|
| F. Camilleri |
| Early type of tweeter for the stereo? |
| Chris at Octarine Services |
| Hurray, we finally have a winner. And the winner is: MAndrews of North Carolina, USA. See his post of the 9 March 2017 @ 22.44:36 (UK time). The actual definition is: WHEEL STATIC SUPPRESSION KIT Mr. Andrews stated that they are for the inside of the hub caps. On the instruction leaflet it reads 'For the front hubs'. Well the front hubs location is in fact behind the hub caps. Correct me if I'm wrong. I will later upload a copy of the instructions leaflet for all to see. You will see also a diagram showing exactly where the suppressors should go. I feel that I am correct with my decision to declare MAndrews the winner. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. As before I can only upload one picture at a time. Following is my first pic. |
| F. Camilleri |
| These items were in use way back in time. I have never seen them before. They were fitted in cars, and they can also be fitted in the MGA. Can anyone say exactly what they are and what was their purpose? Frank
|
| F. Camilleri |
| I reckon they might be parts from Andrex friction dampers? http://www.sportsandvintage.co.uk/AndreHartford.htm What are the rough dimensions, a scale reference would be handy. Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
Mike, They do look like parts of a friction type shock absorber. Was the company of Andre Hartford the same company as Andre Components which made the Andrex shock absorbers that were an option on the MGA? The MGA used Andrex shock absorbers on some of the factory Le Mans cars. They were a factory option but could not be used if an anti-sway bar was fitted. Mick
|
| M F Anderson |
| A factory Le Mans car with Andrex shock absorbers. Mick
|
| M F Anderson |
| A close up view of the Andrex shock absorber on the Le Mans MGA. Mick
|
| M F Anderson |
| The Andre Harford friction damper springs had 5 ears. Frank's item has 6. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Hi all, I'm afraid they are not for friction dampers. I know exactly what they are because I have the instruction leaflet which comes with the items. I shall let more people guessing first, after which I will reveal what they really are. I will also attach pictures of the instruction leaflet for everyone to see. By the way, they are made of brass. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| I seem to think that things like that have been on the back of voltage regulators. Sandy |
| Sandy Saunders |
| Paper clips to hold your rally instructions on the dash. |
| barneymg |
| I recon they are some kind of electrical contact perhaps. Star shape would seem to suggest they provide compression to hold something against something else. |
| AR Terry |
| would be helpful to have an idea of their size..... |
| Dominic Clancy |
| Dominic, the best way that I can describe them is as follows: They are shaped like a star fish, made from brass, with the exception that the little button which is riveted in the centre of each one is made of mild steel, and seems to have been machined to a round shape and tapered up to a concave shape ending with a point at the top. The diameter of the base of this button is approximately 4mm. The measurement of the prongs, (it has six prongs), is approximately 5cms from tip of one prong to the tip of the one opposite. That's the best description I can give. Well guys keep on guessing for now. I will send a brand new pair of these items, including fixing instructions, to the first person who can tell me what they are and what is their purpose on the car. I will send them free of charge including postage. You can fit these on your mga. Sorry Barney, but no they are not paper clips as you say' Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Sandy Saunders (USA) and AR Terry (UK), sorry guys you you got it wrong. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Horn contacts. |
| MAndrus |
| Are they to go in the fuel filler neck to prevent people siphoning petrol from the tank? |
| Dominic Clancy |
| Curses. How many guesses do we get Frank? Alan |
| AR Terry |
| Hi all, me again. MAndrews- not horn contacts. Dominic Clancy - Sorry, no they are not placed inside the fuel filler neck. AR Terry - you can all have as many guesses as you like. The closing date is SUNDAY the 12 March. On Monday I will post a new thread telling you what they are and what function they serve in the car, unless of course someone comes up with the right description by the closing date. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Must be an embellishment for a Maltese knight! |
| Dirk Van Ussel |
| fake nipples for Dirk's flat chested knight |
| Sandy Saunders |
| Inside the oil filter canister to provide pressure to the end, or to center the element in the canister. |
| MAndrus |
| Hub cap embelishers. |
| Gary Lock |
| Dash board mount for your Sheriff's Badge!
|
| I B Morris |
| It replaces the thermostat, allowing a constant predetermined coolant flow. George |
| George G. |
| Just what I would need for dropping into the neck of the radiator filler in order to reduce the pressure from my upgraded 7lb cap - and then wish I hadn't ... David |
| D Smith |
| last time I saw these they were on Madonna's chest |
| Neil Ferguson |
| Not Madonna no no no no--well maybe I like a woman with brass bits My guess is horn diaphram springs Frank are they horn springs Frank ! cheers willy |
| William Revit |
| or horn button spring willy |
| William Revit |
| A couple or more of the arms hook behind radiator slats and the pointed rivets push through the holes of rally plates to hold in place. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Wing mirror anti rattle springs? |
| Chris at Octarine Services |
| Hi folks, First of all I want to make a correction in my reply to Dominic Clancy's request to give the approx measurements of the items. Dominic in my reply to you I stated that the diameter of the little metal part riveted to the centre of the star shaped items is 4mm. Please substitute this figure to read 8mm. Well well, so far NO ONE has come up with the right answer. Another piece of information is that the items in question were sold by a firm in London. I'm not sure if they were also manufactured by the same people. Thank you all for your guesses, please keep them coming. Here is another pic of the little gadgets. What are their function on the car? Frank
|
| F. Camilleri |
| It holds tight against a grease seal. |
| MAndrus |
| They hold a bug screen into the radiator grill. |
| MAndrus |
| They sit on the carpet as anti-slip spiders for an occasional rubber or loose mat. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Its a martial arts weapon to chuck at 4x4 drivers who are right up you A***e |
| AR Terry |
| Sorry guys, all guesses forwarded so far are all wrong. Keep thinking very hard fellas. Good luck Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| You know we're gonna get you in the parking lot, right? |
| MAndrus |
| off the top of your christmas tree |
| Graham V |
| Do they clip on the back of of your cowboy boots Frank? For when you want to wring that last little bit of horsepower from your MGAS engine?😁 Colyn |
| Colyn Firth |
| Frank, are they on all MGAs, some or very few? |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Now that you've giving an update in size, did Dolly Parton wear them? Don TF 4887 "Figaro' TC 1736 "Sibelius' |
| Don Walker |
| tensioner for a wiper motor gear |
| William Revit |
| To Mike Ellsmore: Mike I didn't say that these little star shaped parts are found on MGA's. If you like they are little extras that can be fitted in any car of possibly the 50's/60's, not sure on today's modern cars. But yes they can be fitted on MGA.s.They surely can be fitted in my MGA. Not sure they can go on all MGA's though. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Frank Can you add a little more detail? What is the thickness of the brass? Is the centre fixing removable? Any chance of a side elevation photo and also one of the underside? Do they have to be used as a pair? Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Frank, I hope following this thread doesn't mean I have lost an hour of my life I am never going to get back! Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Hi Steve, OK I can certainly add more detail. I will get my camera battery charged first, after which I will take some more pics and upload here. Answering you question, yes they do come in pairs. Will come back with more details later. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| Are they toilet roll holders for the passenger side to deal with the experience of being driven in an MGA? |
| Chris at Octarine Services |
| Without the original box it was hard to tell at first, but there would originally (for the sports car edition) have been three: one green, one brown and one yellow (these have been over-restored at some stage). They were part of a compendium of games and distractions marketed for those occasional dalliances whilst waiting for roadside assistance after say, most of the smoke had escaped or the air had all migrated to the top half of a tyre. This was (for its day) a slightly risqué game imported from Australia. It was marketed in Europe as ‘Froggie went a-Courting’ (it had a shorter more alliterative title on home soil). The driver and navigator would split into two teams (of one each) and choose either brown or green for their own team. The yellow frog would be placed by whoever won the toss at a place of their choosing on the bonnet. Each player would then position their own brown or green frog near the radiator grille and, taking it in turns, would gently press down on the ‘hips’ of the frog and then snap their finger (or thumb) away causing it to ‘hop’. The uneven lengths of the frogs’ feet would allow the skilled player to elect which hip to use and more accurately to aim his frog. The ultimate objective was to be the first to land their own frog on the yellow frog. The instructions invited players to decide in advance what the appropriate forfeit would be if their own frog landed on its back. The game began to lose its popularity after louvred bonnets became more widespread. I’m sorry that I can’t help you, Frank, with the correct shades of paint for restoration, but someone on the forum will know. David |
| D Smith |
| David, that's a Bob Dylan song title. "Froggie went a-Courtin" Lyrics: Next to come in was a juney bug, uh-huh / Next to come in was a juney bug, uh-huh / Next to come in was a juney bug / She brought the water jug, uh-huh… |
| MAndrus |
| Mike Only one hour? I think you place one either side of a deodourising ball (not supplied) then use 6 small elastic bands (originals long since perished) to hold together. A piece of string with loops at both ends (not supplied) fits over the 2 rivets and is suspended from a high level windscreen mirror. The fact that most of us are now in our 60s to 80s and have never seen this item before shows how popular and successful it was! Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Static suppressors for the insides of hubcaps. |
| MAndrus |
| Can someone please let me know when this gets answered? Thanks... |
| Eugene Gillam |
| From an earlier post: The closing date is SUNDAY the 12 March. On Monday I will post a new thread telling you what they are and what function they serve in the car, unless of course someone comes up with the right description by the closing date. |
| MAndrus |
| I'm backin' Smithy's frogs! Barry. |
| Barry Gannon |
| Good morning gentlemen. Continuing with our little bit of fun. First of all to answer Steve Giles: thickness of brass is 0.5mm. Centre fixing is not really removeable, it will destroy the item if it is removed. Yes they are used in pairs. I have some more pics to upload, but I am not very knowledgeable in uploading multiple pictures on a single post. So I will upload one pic at a time, one in each post. Frank
|
| F. Camilleri |
| The first pic with the last post is of the underside of the brass items. Another pic here. This one is taken with the items standing from the side. Frank
|
| F. Camilleri |
| Another pic. This one is quite a good shot. The object underneath has nothing to do with our items, it is a metal box on which I slipped them in to stay upright for clarity. Frank
|
| F. Camilleri |
| Early type of tweeter for the stereo? |
| Chris at Octarine Services |
| Hurray, we finally have a winner. And the winner is: MAndrews of North Carolina, USA. See his post of the 9 March 2017 @ 22.44:36 (UK time). The actual definition is: WHEEL STATIC SUPPRESSION KIT Mr. Andrews stated that they are for the inside of the hub caps. On the instruction leaflet it reads 'For the front hubs'. Well the front hubs location is in fact behind the hub caps. Correct me if I'm wrong. I will later upload a copy of the instructions leaflet for all to see. You will see also a diagram showing exactly where the suppressors should go. I feel that I am correct with my decision to declare MAndrews the winner. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. As before I can only upload one picture at a time. Following is my first pic. |
| F. Camilleri |
Here is the first picture of the instructions leaflet.
|
| F. Camilleri |
Another pic of the instructions leaflet.
|
| F. Camilleri |
And another
|
| F. Camilleri |
| Good one Frank. I can now sleep properly tonight! Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Wow. Sounds kinda gimmicky to me, but OK. I wonder what you did to suppress static if your car also has rear wheels. I got to remembering a neighbor's car in the 60's. He had curb feelers and a grounding strap! Anyone remember those? Frank, address sent. I can’t wait to take these to my next antique car club meeting. We have a few old codgers, I'm guessing they won't be stumped for long. Thanks. That was fun... and annoying. |
| MAndrus |
| Anti-static grounding straps have been around just about forever, and they are till popular today. Back in the day it was intended to keep you from getting shocked when you got out of your car (and it still is). These days it might be all the rage to prevent blowing up your car at a gas station. Ranks right up there with the hazard of using a cell phone while refueling, and the admonition to not get back in your car until refueling is finished. |
| barneymg |
| Barney, maybe you should have an oddities page for wacky crap like this. |
| MAndrus |
| Hi MAndrews, (don't know your first name sorry). First of all congratulations. You say that address is sent, presumably in an email. Well, I haven't yet looked at my emails, but if I have any problems I will come back to you on the BBS. I am attaching a picture of a new front wheels 'static suppression kit, which I will be sending to you by post. I shall meet the cost of posting to the USA. Thank you for all your posts in my thread, and hope you enjoyed the fun, I did. Frank P.S. Sorry I have tried uploading a pic of the kit, but without success. It is a little late in the day right now, so I will try again tomorrow. Frank |
| F. Camilleri |
| On 10 March 2017, MAndrus, N Carolina wrote: "Barney, maybe you should have an oddities page for wacky crap like this". I do post this whacky stuff on my website, and I just posted this item and the static grounding strap. They are at the top of the Accessories section, http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/acc.htm along with Fuzzy Dice and Curb Feelers (both more functional than this device). Consider that this device is in essence an electrical short between wheel bearing outer and inner races. With maybe 600 pounds load sitting on the front wheel spindle, who would thing there was no electrical ground connection through the bearings? But my favorite is the Cup Holder proposed by Bill Spohn. |
| barneymg |
| When I was a kid we had a grounding strap on the Vauxhall Wyvern which was said to stop my sister getting car sick. Unsure if it ever worked! May have been a mind over matter ploy? |
| I B Morris |
This thread was discussed between 06/03/2017 and 11/03/2017
MG MGA index
This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now