Radiator and Side Panels

**Keith** · 30-09-2025, 09:55

I've put an X1/9 Rad onto my Hawk chassis frame and I'm assuming it gets some support from the Aluminium side panels but I'm not too sure how best to attach the panels to the rad. Can anyone show me a good method?

**ProtoTipo** · 30-09-2025, 12:16

Here's how the aluminium GB brackets were Keith:
There's a drawing at the end of the Hawk build manual

**hollytree** · 30-09-2025, 12:39

Keith. My car is Corse and has much thicker radiator, but the bottom of the rad sits on the chassis rails between two lugs. The top fixing is as the photo below.

Click image for larger version.

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**ProtoTipo** · 30-09-2025, 12:47

Originally Posted by Keith

I've put an X1/9 Rad onto my Hawk chassis frame and I'm assuming it gets some support from the Aluminium side panels but I'm not too sure how best to attach the panels to the rad. Can anyone show me a good method?

What radiator are you actually going to use Keith?
An OE type X1/9 is a bit marginal for a V6.

**Keith** · 30-09-2025, 13:27

Thank you both for pointing me in the right direction.
I am planning to put in a bigger rad (thicker core at least) so you've given me a couple of options for securing that in place.

**Keith** · 30-09-2025, 13:29

Currently planning to have one made Chris. But any recommendations welcome.

**Ken Tomblin** · 30-09-2025, 15:58

Hi Keith
I used Darren 01773 713031 at Custom Made Rads Ltd Eastwood Nottingham. Good workmanship at a very good price

Regards Ken

**ProtoTipo** · 30-09-2025, 16:23

The originals have a rubber bobbin/grommet (with steel sleeve) in the inner wing/splash panel, in the centre of a pressed recess.
Then bolted directly to the side of the radiator casing into an 'L' shaped hole/slot.

**ProtoTipo** · 30-09-2025, 16:37

Originally Posted by Keith

Currently planning to have one made Chris. But any recommendations welcome.

In that case, it would be good to engineer the mounts into the radiator, because you've got the chance.
In the case of the X1/9 rads. the upper mounts were made that way because of that single M6 stud pointing forwards on the upper rad. steel casing.

**mudhut** · 10-10-2025, 15:33

I have an aluminium radiator made by Chris Smith (of Gilbern Garage fame) in a batch for interested club buyers around 2010. Never fitted to the car. It's on first refusal to whoever buys my Hawk but if the buyer does not want it, I'll make it available here.

No serious buyers have emerged yet though, so if you want one in a hurry I'm probably not the best bet.