S Indicators - a glimmer of hope......

S Indicators - a glimmer of hope......

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Barkychoc

Original Poster:

7,848 posts

203 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
OK we all know that they are from a Sherpa Van, but I've been trying to find out who originally made them.
Here's my paper trail so far.

My local dealer thought they were manufactured by Britax.
A quick email to their website (where you ask about child seats!) produced a response within 5 minutes to ring Britax PMG with a phone number. Well done Britax for the response.

Spoke to Britax PMG, very helpful chap, had me in the garage looking at the indicators, the 6677 number on the lens is significant as its the type approval number, and the part can be traced from this.
The E11 above it in a circle means type approval was gained in the UK.
(Amazing what you can learn in 5 minutes).
Anyway anyone spotted the VAP together as a logo to one side ?

This stands for Vega Automotive Products. Originally part of Britax, also known at the time as Britax Vega, located in Droitwich, Worcestershire.

In 1996 Koito Manufacturing acquired a 50% stake in Britax Vega.

Spoke to a guy at what is now Koito, very very helpful guy.
Its not his remit to look into this, but he assured me that he will.
He says he knows people in the business who will know about these.
In any case I have his phone number so I can chase him up!

He is going to see if tooling still exists for the indicators.
He asked what sort of numbers we would be looking at if they were to manufacture some.
I said I couldn't see it being more than 100.

I also enquired if it would be possible to purchase the tooling (moulds) if they still exist, though I guess they may be rather large for mass production so this may be a non starter but worth a go.

Watch this space.........

Chris


Edited by Barkychoc on Thursday 14th June 12:36

Woody

2,187 posts

283 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
Well done Chris clap

Keep us posted - I'd buy a couple of sets, as I alway slightly overtighten and crack the damn things when I replace a bulb!!

Think this time though I'll make a neoprene gasket or somthing to sit under it so it shouldn't crack.

Chris

Barkychoc

Original Poster:

7,848 posts

203 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
As a further update, the guy from Koito rang me back.
He said 'We haven't made any for years'.
They basically are not interested in making any more (Unsurprising I think).
He said the tooling might still exist in their archive tooling, I've persuaded him to try and find out if it does.

I've also asked if a group of enthusiasts wanted to purchase the moulds if it would be possible.

I said we were more interested in the mould for the front orange lens rather than the black rear section, though if we could get both would be better i guess.

I have no idea if it is at all feasible, so if anyone has any contacts in the plastics industry it might be worth asking.....

I haven't given up yet !

Chris


Edited by Barkychoc on Thursday 14th June 12:37

ketvrin

3,504 posts

208 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
Good work Chris... I would take a couple of pairs too if it comes to how many are required.

K wink

baggiebird

81 posts

203 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
Chris, good effort so far. If the tooling could be obtained, then we might be able to do it collectively. Even at £20-£30 for the pair they would sell. Put me down for 2 sets!!

bridgdav

4,805 posts

247 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
Barkychoc said:
I have no idea if it is at all feasible, so if anyone has any contacts in the plastics industry it might be worth asking.....
YES.

Even a loan of the tool to do a small production run would be a help, rather than purchase the tools. It depends on the size or the number of cavities in the tool.. I can get the material and I know of a few Mould shops who could run it for us.

If the owners still have the tool on their asset register, it may be difficult to prise it away... if it has been scrapped off financially, there might be a better chance.

Keep us posted if you find the tools.

Harry1972M

743 posts

243 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
STOP IT ALL OF YOU - I have 3 brand new ones stashed away and was hoping to retire on the proceeds !!!!

Great work so far I have a contact in the plastics game so may be able to help once we have an answer on the moulds.

Graham

tubbystu

3,846 posts

259 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
Well done - count me on for a couple of pairs if it has legs.

Cheers

gifdy

2,065 posts

240 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
tubbystu said:
Well done - count me on for a couple of pairs if it has legs.

Cheers
Likewise. thumbup

pies

13,116 posts

255 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
gifdy said:
tubbystu said:
Well done - count me on for a couple of pairs if it has legs.

Cheers
Likewise. thumbup
ditto

markbigears

2,270 posts

268 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
I managed to get 2 of the last ones from autofast a few years ago, didn't realise they are so rare now and to think I threw my 2 old ones away!

Edited by markbigears on Thursday 14th June 18:49

pies

13,116 posts

255 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
markbigears said:
I managed to get 2 of the last ones from autofast a few years ago, didn't realise they are so rare now and to think I threw my 2 old ones away!

Edited by markbigears on Thursday 14th June 18:49
You're going to regret that one day banghead

Mr Plow

1,193 posts

227 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
pies said:
gifdy said:
tubbystu said:
Well done - count me on for a couple of pairs if it has legs.

Cheers
Likewise. thumbup
ditto
Me to.

HarveyB

407 posts

211 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
Mr Plow said:
pies said:
gifdy said:
tubbystu said:
Well done - count me on for a couple of pairs if it has legs.

Cheers
Likewise. thumbup
ditto
Me to.
And me please

pies

13,116 posts

255 months

Thursday 14th June 2007
quotequote all
HarveyB said:
Mr Plow said:
pies said:
gifdy said:
tubbystu said:
Well done - count me on for a couple of pairs if it has legs.

Cheers
Likewise. thumbup
ditto
Me to.
And me please
Hmmm having thought about it I dont want legs on mine as iI think it will look silly biggrin

Barkychoc

Original Poster:

7,848 posts

203 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
quotequote all
I knew this info was in PH somewhere, I just thought I'd bump it for info and get it added to FAQ's - note the original info is from 2007.

Edited by Barkychoc on Saturday 16th January 21:08

Gerald-TVR

4,896 posts

196 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
quotequote all
Chris

Were your contacts in Droitwich? If so I would be happy to follow up

Barkychoc

Original Poster:

7,848 posts

203 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
quotequote all
Norman, I think the mould route is pretty much exhausted, I passed all the info I had to Adrian Venn, I believe he went to see them in person but it could not be found. Might be worth a quick chat with Adrian for the true situation.

Gerald-TVR

4,896 posts

196 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
quotequote all
OK

Russ35

2,491 posts

238 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
quotequote all
There was also that thread from a few months back where somebody was looking at getting some made in the US. I wonder if there was any progress on that?

I was going to supply him a good spare one I had until I discovered it had been damaged banghead