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T-Series Door Safety Latches

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PAUL161

PAUL161

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[SIZE=-1]Those who don't know, but those of us who own and know, T series cars have had a problem over the years with the doors opening at speed. Even though my latches fully close with the pin fully engaged, I think about this problem on our cars all the time, especially on the passenger door where my wife sets. To ad a little more safety I ordered a pair of these stainless marine latches to install on the lower part of both doors. 15 bucks each is very cheap insurance. I'm also installing seat belts.[/SIZE]:encouragement: PJ

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good idea! was watching Poirot the other day - and there was an MG and the door popped open at an inopportune time!
 
90% of the time when one of these doors pop open, it bends the hinges, breaks the door check, damages the door and dents the rear fender. It's not like one can go to the Pep Boys and get the parts to fix the mess, aside from the dangerous situation for anyone setting by that door, especially the passenger. Period correct, I don't know, but there should be no limit to safety and judges should be aware of this and not try to write everything in stone. They didn't come with seat belts either, but a new pair is on the bench ready to be installed. PJ
 
This VIRUS is diffused also in Europe- I have find one good solution for my td
https://picasaweb.google.com/112770819864514987162/MGTDWorksAndProjects#6225608639298757490
Is normaly used on trailers for horses transport, I have ordererd in UK where it is comon use also on MG T Type
https://picasaweb.google.com/112770819864514987162/MGTDWorksAndProjects#6225608739184217554
On my car I have prefered to fit it in high position, to hide their presence to the eyes- so hide that was also difficult to photograh-look at extreme RX of the photo
https://picasaweb.google.com/112770819864514987162/MGTDWorksAndProjects#5969914245699836018
Elastic rope was the first remedy addopted just after the acquisition of the car,after few cornering
I am active on the BCF in AH section- but follow also the MG T forum
Cheers
Andrea
 
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Probably a great idea to fit if you have poor door fit/ latches worn or chassis fitting bad. Never had an issue with a tub that I have rebuilt. I always fit a bungee to the doors to a vehicle I collect on an open trailer.
just my two p
 
Let me explain, my doors work perfectly, latches fully engage on both doors with just a slight push on the doors. The reason I'm installing the safety latches are, these cars have a history of doors flying open in the past just by running over a large bump in the road or any situation where the car can flex fore and aft. MG frames are about the weakest chassis ever built. I've been restoring cars for years, American cars and a few of them had forward opening doors, Ford had a few and it didn't take them long to change them as those doors have flipped open on a more solid framed car. Back then with no seat belts a large heavy door can and has pulled people out of the car by grabbing the door to catch it. Their called Suicide doors for a reason! Anyone can brag about just how good the latches are on the old British cars if there set properly, I've seen results of the bad side. I have no desire to be a part of that scenario. Safety First!! PJ

Incidentally, why were the lower door safety latches offered when these cars were new? Not rocket science for sure.
 
I have something similar on mine -- they're more like a slide bolt but they're chrome and look fine. You can barely see it in the picture here

s-l1605.jpg
 
My TDC is sitting in the shop while waiting on replacement hinges to arrive, and the car taken to a body shop to be repaired. The car was being driven into the shop from the parking lot by the mechanic when the passenger door opened just in time to catch the door frame and get bent backward, bending the hinges, doing body damage, and paint damage. First time the passenger door has ever popped open. I think the shop owner didn't properly close the door. I think I will get a supplemental latch.
 
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