Cambridge Special - Wing Brackets

[Oxford Jack]

I built up this special for Tony Betts a few years back - the body was made by Rod Yates, I modified the the front (and rear) wing/headlamp brackets so that the wiring could be hidden inside them, I think it finished up a very neat solution and I would recommend his work to you.

I made front and rear wing brackets for my Cambridge pattern wings some years ago, very similar to those of Rod Yates shown in Ruairidh's photos, thin wall tube, Ulster style body plates and flattened tube ends where they go under the wings. After several thousand miles I had a front wing stay break, followed in a few hundred miles by a back one and another front, all at the point the tube is flattened. I concluded that due to vibration and aerodynamic flutter, the tube that had been work hardened, then fatigued before shearing across the tube.
I understand from the books and articles I have read and of which I have since taken notice, that coach builders would, when fitting cycle style wings, always fit three stays per wing, two being sure to break.
I did not want to introduce a third stay and so cut the tubes and inserted a turned plug, which was plug welded and a flat bar inserted into a slot and welded in to support the wing, this seems to be a stronger solution and although there is still movement, so far it has not broken again! If a side light cable is to be introduced, I drill a hole through the plug.
I think any fabricator would be able to make these for you locally, the body plates are available from the usual sources and thin wall tube (note not electrical conduit) would be suitable. The longest part of the job is cutting and shaping the ends of the tube, all of which can be done with hand or minimal power tools. Prep all the materials and take the parts for welding if this is not your forte, I made wooden jigs to hold the parts in their respective positions for the front wing and headlamp stays.
Incidentally I have seen the car to which the photos refer, it is extremely handsome, I am envious of the skills exhibited by body builder and fitter-up.