color hand brake lever

[TvdWerf]

Today I noticed something I never saw before, my spare handbrake lever is blank, and not in the car color.
I saw a few in the car color, my original was also dark before, so he is black now ;)
But before not:[frame][/frame]
And today I was looking to bolts, nuts and all the other interior parts, and found this one:[frame][/frame]
The one in the car is different, but is he painted standard, or should he be blank?

[Boomlander]

My handbrake lever is Gold like the dashboard.

[TvdWerf]

Is this the original color, or repainted later?
On the top photo you can see mine was something like dark brown before the restoration.

[orb596]

I never painted the handbrake lever on my MM so it was still in its original colour - gold.

[smithskids]

Yes mine is still gold and chrome

[TvdWerf]

Yes mine is still gold and chrome

Chrome?
where?
Do you have a picture?

[katy]

The handle on our '61 is black with a chrome push button on the end. Looks original.
What year are the ones with what looks like a squeeze lever?

[Boomlander]

These are Series MM and Series 2 cars up to 1956.

[katy]

Ah so, thanks.

[smithskids]

TvdWerf, Happy new year. Picture of my handbrake untouched from new.[frame][/frame]

[John Naylor]

I was nearly 4 when Dad bought his new black 2 door Minor on 1/1/56 and I grew up with that car. I would have sworn the lever was painted silver!
Seeing that folded passenger seat reminds me how when he braked sharply Mum came out of the back seat and cracked her head on the windscreen - 2 lovely black eyes!
John

[1843lamp]

One more note for the survey,the handbrake lever on my unrestored car is all nickel plated or chrome,and just the small activating lever is black,I do not see any indications of gold paint.

[TvdWerf]

So I have to bring my spare one to our chrome and Nickel company, to bring him in original condition, and use the painted one as spare?

[sparesman]

I have come across nickel plated ones usually on early lowlights , then painted dark brown same as steering column and parcel tray, and then from about 1953 painted gold as per the dash panels.
Bryan Gostling

[TvdWerf]

Ok, that means mine should be dark brown ;)
Something to do.

[tortron]

My 51 is dark brown

have come across the nickle plated ones as well (bizzarely fitted to a very early series 2, perhaps it was left over parts being used)

I believe they switched to brown during a nickle shortage (imagine tge same time the grill changed to a plain pressed one piece)

i am surprised that the rear seat/wheel arch trim remained plated however

[Scott]

TvdWerf, Happy new year. Picture of my handbrake untouched from new.[frame][/frame]

My handbrake lever looked like that one. I took it to an electroplater who suggested it was Satin Chrome so I had it re-done like that.
It basically turned out like a flat chrome finish & after 25 years, it's getting the same rust effect as the original above!!

[mike.perry]

Hi Smithskids, I see that you have a set of the old MMOC floor mats. Mine wore out years ago but they had lasted for years. I wish that the MMOC still sold them. I have suggested to them but they do not seem to be interested. Maybe if everyone asked for a set then they might stock them. More useful than cuddly bears and beany hats.
Back to handbrake levers

[smithskids]

Hi Mike, I bought them many years ago at Harewood hall national rally, I too asked about new mats but was told they would be too expensive to produce. That was about 2 years ago