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1967 MGB GT bonnet issue

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mch979

mch979

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Hi folks,

My '67 B GT was semi restored in 2007 in England. The front of the bonnet curvature does not seem to match the front grill very well
20210513_090215.jpg
. It is an aluminum bonnet. Did the restorers choose the wrong bonnet?
 

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Close up of issue. Exists on both leadind edge sides if bonnet.
 

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An aluminum bonnet is correct for the year but it appears yours has been somehow "flattened" for some reason. Likely more work than it's worth to try to re-curve it. You would probably dislodge any filler, crack paint and perhaps even kink the leading edge. And certainly it would need refinishing after the attempt. Whoever did the resto wasn't paying attention.
 
DrEntropy said:
An aluminum bonnet is correct for the year but it appears yours has been somehow "flattened" for some reason. Likely more work than it's worth to try to re-curve it. You would probably dislodge any filler, crack paint and perhaps even kink the leading edge. And certainly it would need refinishing after the attempt. Whoever did the resto wasn't paying attention.
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The work was done in 2007. I bought it in 2015. The paperwork shows lots of new parts including the bonnet, front fenders, grill, bumpers, and interior carpets and seats. I just wondered if there were two different bonnets (other than steel or aluminum). There is no filler. Just primer snd paint.
 
pdplot said:
Can you somehow shim or adjust one of the hinges to even it off a bit?
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I think not. The curvature of the leading edge is about 1/4" to 1/2" flatter than it needs to be. I don't mind buying another bonnet, if this is the wrong one somehow. Having said that, its not such a big deal. It just messes with my OCD. :smile:
 
There is only one bonnet shape for all B and BGT models, should all be interchangeable even steel > aluminum and back. I'm with Doc, when the resto was done someone didn't pay close attention. If you can't live with it, it'll be a rework and repaint, or find a donor that fits better and use it instead with new paint.
 
drooartz said:
There is only one bonnet shape for all B and BGT models, should all be interchangeable even steel > aluminum and back. I'm with Doc, when the resto was done someone didn't pay close attention. If you can't live with it, it'll be a rework and repaint, or find a donor that fits better and use it instead with new paint.
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Good to know. I imagine they just ordered the hood and painted it, only to discover it was not exactly perfect. I don't blame them. It was close enough, and they couldn't have known or expected an issue. I will live with it.
 
Fits like mine. Look at a few others in the flesh and see hoe will they fit. I think you will find this is common, but can be fixed like most all things with time and money.
 
Some cars of that era had indifferent build quality. They didn't have inspectors like Ant from Wheeler Dealers obsessing about the "shut lines". Sometimes a lot of "fettling" needed. OCD people and LBC cars are sometimes not a good fit. As my mother used to say "Live with it".
 
You might find that the issue stems from the lower bonnet latch support. You could try removing the latch and see if the bonnet fits better? Far easier to sort than the bonnet.
 
When I did our current one I had to do a lot of the fitting of that lid. Car had been through numerous unknown hands, we got it when painted "Amana White." Rebuild was in '06~07 and the doors, boot lid and bonnet were all in need of twisting/tweaking, fettling in some way or other to satisfy my OCD...
Went with original color, Old English White. Did the hardtop in same.
1964MGB.jpg
 
DrEntropy said:
When I did our current one I had to do a lot of the fitting of that lid. Car had been through numerous unknown hands, we got it when painted "Amana White." Rebuild was in '06~07 and the doors, boot lid and bonnet were all in need of twisting/tweaking, fettling in some way or other to satisfy my OCD...
Went with original color, Old English White. Did the hardtop in same.View attachment 69868
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The leading edge of your bonnet follows the top grill line perfectly. I am not optimistic that any adjustment in mine will result as nicely as yours fits. Mine has just got quite enough curve to it.
 
That took some "gentle persuasion" to get where it is. Bumper angle still needs adjusting!
 
mch979 said:
The leading edge of your bonnet follows the top grill line perfectly. I am not optimistic that any adjustment in mine will result as nicely as yours fits. Mine has just got quite enough curve to it.
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Mine has just NOT got quite enough curve to it.
 
Oh no, now bumpers. They are drooping on most, but can be sorted. I suggest staying away from after market items, as they are not the same as originals.
 
Grantura_MKI said:
Oh no, now bumpers. They are drooping on most, but can be sorted. I suggest staying away from after market items, as they are not the same as originals.
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I did drive through a brief rain shower yesterday...when the bumpers get wet they do tend to droop...that's why I strive to drive it on sunny days only.... :smile:
 
Boot lid was a bugger. Car had been whacked in the rear in the past, previous "rebuilder" didn't bother to get the rear panel back where it belonged. That lid had holes for a luggage rack and rust. I got a bootlid from a California breaker's yard and used hydraulic rams to push the panel back to mate with the lid.

bootlid.JPG
 
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