Aerocatch style bonnet catch for flip-front hood

[Jimflorida]

I just installed an Aerocatch bonnet latch for my Bugeye flip-front hood. I wanted to give this a try because I thought it would provide a good latch plus not be too noticeable. I was planning on painting it body color, but the off-white latch is pretty close to my paint. It is a little fiddly to get the fit correct, but it seems to work ok. Pictures below.

 

[JPSmit]

looks nice!

 

[Jim_Gruber]

How about getting things aligned. That's my concern with that or the one Tom Colby has started making. With his no visible signed of a latch.

 

[Rut]

Jim,
tell me more about Toms latch...sounds interesting.
thanks, Rut

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Here you go. NFI just intrigued by the engineering. A possibility for Bugsy II. Likely cash flow will say settel for SS Draw Latches from McMaster Carr catalog

https://bugeyeparts.com/forum/topics/bonnet-latches-for-forward-tilt-steel-bonnets

 

[Jimflorida]

Yes, I saw that one too but it was a bit pricey for me. The Aerocatch cost about $70.00. I think it does a decent job. It turns out that the Bugeye inner panel where the strike bolt mounts is not exactly parallel with the outer bonnet itself where the catch mounts. So, it takes a little fiddling to make sure the bolt lines up with the catch when it closes. No real problem. I guess I could try to shim the bolt if I wanted it to line up perfectly (but if I want everything to line up perfectly, I probably shouldn't own a British car).
Jim

 

[Jim_Gruber]

That was my thought. How do you drill through inner fender, footwell panel, and know exactly where you are going to ine up for a hole on the bonnet inner panel. Since measurements/slignment can change when you pull off the bonnet, how to make sure things stay aligned when bonnet goes back on. I agree that Tom Colby's solution is not inexpensive but seems to do the job. Trick stuff on inner BE Bonnet panel is not shown in great detail.