lockheed decal

[Danish]

Well I had a few spare hours this afternoon and building upon the great work of others (Phillip et al), I decided to had a go at the lockheed decal.
Graphically, I opted reproduce the shorter one that suits a single mounting bracket arrangement for the reservoir (approx. 2'' wide x 1.5'' high).
Typeface is Gill Sans that was designed in 1926 and used through the '30s. This size also accommodates differing bracket placements by owners.
Still tweaking the graphics, type and colouration; gold foil edge and maybe the same for the inset...Do we think the original printed inset is
white or gold?

[Phillip]

Awesome work David!

Paul and I originally thought that the Lockheed Corporate colour palette would be reflected in all of their packaging graphics, so used NOS packages as a reference. The main colours are light orange, black, white and red. We thought the main background colour was the orange, as shown in your second version, but the shot of Tony's ad that I posted certainly shows a darker border colour and lighter background colour, so your first may be more likely. I'd say, though, that the second bordered box, 'inspect fluid monthly", may be on white background as well, according to the ad photo. Hard to tell from the Singer sports car handbook photo.

I have photos of Tony Raynor's 1935 Coupe and note that the remains of the transfer can just be seen in one engine shot. It's the only one I have seen with any sign of the original transfer! Here it is.

Lockheed Transfer_Raynor Coupe.jpg (120.84 KiB) Viewed 5826 times

It may be enough to help more, especially to gauge size. I have enhanced it as much as I dare. It looks possibly like the border might be red???

Singer certainly fitted the bracket at the bottom of the tank.

[Danish]

Looking forward to seeing a few more pictures of Tony's original can. Well done Phillip. The remaining body colour almost looks gold. Today I conducted a little more online research and reached the conclusion that in the period ad. the triangular logo in this shorter label is in fact centred and located within the decal area. A period image from a 1.5L handbook suggests the same. I also found another advert dated 1936 where the Lockheed logo depicted is the 'L' design, so perhaps the 'steering wheel' design is pre-1936? Anyway I have made a few updates to the draft design and resized to 3" x 2".

[Phillip]

Hey David,

Good e-mailing with you on this over the weekend. Looks like it is approaching the definitive design.

I agree that the Lockheed triangle is certainly in the middle top of the transfer for this era.

2" x 3" was the size I mocked up on my reservoir to approximate the ones shown in photos, but it might have even been a bit bigger. It's a little hard to tell.

From the very cool photos you found, it jives with what we thought about Lockheed using a corporate colour palette!

[Danish]

Yes. Gradually all the snippets of evidence are coming together nicely. Tony's first hand account will be a crucial piece of evidence and determine a consensus design. The 3 x 2 dimensions worked out great on the can which I mocked up today. It should also accommodate any variations of bracket positioning by owners. If not, they will be readjusting not only the bracket but also the length of the copper pipe!
Reproducing the orange by the way will be a production challenge for transfer printing process!

[Phillip]

It's really looking good David!

I'm waiting for Tony's reply and photos. Hopefully they will yield some further clues!

[Danish]

Thanks to Tony Raynor (and Phillip). This evening Tony has supplied further images of his original brake fluid reservoir that will determine a definitive design. Enjoy the pictures of a gold AND silver foil transfer; some subtle tweaks needed re: Lockheed typeface and proportions and also the 'automotive...' script. But they will be available to buy within a fortnight. The return of another obsolete Singer item.

[Danish]

An interesting decal just shared with me fitted to a '33 Coupe. A later replacement can? Girling brakes are explicitly mentioned in the Bantam handbook.

[Danish]

To resolve some process issues a few tweaks have been needed- but we are almost there. Hoping to make these waterslide transfers available by the end of the week after evaluating the transfers in the flesh. Picture shown is a second test run to verify colour etc. A couple of text updates needed too. In the meantime, drop me a message to register an interest. davidswann22@hotmail.com

[telco.2]

Hi David,
Thanks for your efforts...amazing where an initial post on the forum led!!
Please may I register an interest in a couple of transfers. My grandson Sam (aged 13) is beavering away on the last pile of Singer bits in my possession (now his!!) and we would like one for that too.
By the way the pile of bits used to be a '34 4 seater.
kind regards
Bill

[Danish]

Many thanks Bill. Lots of people each played their part on this one. Drop me an email to connect- davidswann22@hotmail.com

[Phillip]

Hey All,

The transfers look awesome to be sure.

Referring back to the photo of the Girling can, I have seen a number of cars either fitted with a repro can with the repro Girling sticker, or with an original Lockheed can fitted with a repro Girling sticker. The cans are pretty much identical. My guess is that the Lockheed sticker was not available, so people used what they could find.

Lockheed seem to have used two types of caps though; one with a hex top to it and one with a lower profile smooth top, which the Girling cans seem to have.

I believe Singer reverted to Girling rod-operated brakes on the Roadster as a cost saving measure. Maybe around the time when the 1074cc engine was introduced in that chassis. Then Girling hydro-mechanical brakes followed after the war in the Roadster, with hydraulic front brakes and rod-operated rear brakes!

[Danish]

Arrived today. Very happy with the end result.

[Phillip]

Wow David...they look superb!

[casadecabra]

Looking closely at some of the original pictures of the reservoir tank in this thread, could the original paint finish possibly have been crackle or wrinkle? Any thoughts anyone?

David B