MTFCA Forum

Time to reline my brake band, and order some other parts. Surprised to see Lang’s no longer list Scandinavian linings, and Snyder’s say they’re no longer made for 26-27, and out of stock anyway for the earlier cars. Just curious if Scandinavians are now obsolete and if they will be reproduced again. My other favourite linings, once made by Mark Automotive, seem to be well and truly relegated to history. I’ve got sufficient spares for now, but just thinking to future band relining.

They haven't been made for at least 30 or 40 years correctly. Originals show up on line and swap meets sometimes however.

I had heard the looms on which the scandanavian linings were made on were scrapped, and that's why they're no longer made...

I heard or read that here on the forum a few years ago. However the other brand linings such as Sears Allstate, Montgomery Wards, Mark, and maybe a few others while maybe not being as good as the Original Scandinavian were pretty good. If you can’t find the good Scandinavia’s that’s the next best ones to find if you still find them.

The reason being is that they were woven into a fine tight weave that’s close to what the Scandinavians were. That’s the main reason the Scandinavians were really good. The weave made a big difference. If you compare an original with the later repos you can readily see it.
Or that’s my opinion anyway.

I heard or read that here on the forum a few years ago. However the other brand linings such as Sears Allstate, Montgomery Wards, Mark, and maybe a few others while maybe not being as good as the Original Scandinavian were pretty good. If you can’t find the good Scandinavia’s that’s the next best ones to find if you still find them.

The reason being is that they were woven into a fine tight weave that’s close to what the Scandinavians were. That’s the main reason the Scandinavians were really good. The weave made a big difference. If you compare an original with the later repos you can readily see it.
Or that’s my opinion anyway.

I beg to differ Steve - I've used NOS Scandinavia linings for over 30 + years in my 5 Model T's including my Racer - those have lasted over 30 years.

Steve T

I suspect that it all depends on how they were stored, humidity conditions, and age. The NOS I found in Florida were always about 2" too short from shrinkage, smelled a little foul (mildew) and were clearly easily picked apart...I would never use them.

On the other hand, if you're finding or have found linings which stayed in a relatively dry environment their whole life that sounds like a completely different story.

I recall a post about someone running their linings through a metal roller to regain the length lost to shrinkage...and the follow-up regarding their self-destruction upon use...that was enough for me to keep mine on the shelf for display.

The majority of these are original branded "SCANDINAVIA" & I always check them for "smell" as in musty - I don't buy those - these in my stock are all prefect to run. I've collected them for many years.

I do have a few sets from the seventies & eighties (way before "tar babies") when they were still the same weave BUT THEN, someone had the bright idea to shorten each lining nearly a 1/2" to increase amount of linings per roll (IMO) resulting in linings too short - original Scandinavia linings were 23 & 1/2" long.