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Forward Tilt Bonnet

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B

BWillis

Jedi Knight
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I like it, makes it much easier to get to the engine during the tune phase of the rebuild but it should come in handy later on as well.

What do you guys think?
 

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I have the same type hinges on mine, and my bonnet is so flimsy that it rubs when closing unless I hold it near the middle.

If everything else on the car is original, I might be tempted to put the bonnet original.
 
The only problem with the tilt front is you can't run a front bumper and installing my radiator was a little like doing the limbo. My car has one and I couldn't see myself changing it back. Mine has the "Gravity" latch system. The works leather ones are kinda neat but you have to drill holes for them.
 
With this hinge you can run a bumper. Says so right in the instructions! I haven't tried it yet but it looks like it would work.

This car had the metal latched originally but I repaired the holes during the body work. An latch that I install will be all internal.
 
I think I'd like to have more info about it - seems it'd be fun to do an MG Midget that way! But, a Bugeye????
 
Ben:

Your car looks so much like mine, that everytime I see it I do a double take.

I will post a picture when I get home.

Pat
 
I tend towards the original camp, though it's definitely a personal-choice sort of thing. That setup looks nice and clean -- a couple leather buckles on the outside would look nice...
 
I think I like that, will be much easer to work on engine and to keep things clean.
 
My '60 Bugeye race car that I sold this summer ahd a forward tilt bonnet; I liked it. Enough so that I took a LOT of photos and measurements of the tilt brackets and plan to modify them somewhat and include a tilt bonnet on my current project, a '62 Sprite.

Unlike the bugeye, the Sprite has separate wings (fenders), bonnet, and front cowl/grille surround that will all have to come together as a single unit. I won't be running bumpers so that's not a worry.

I've not seen a Spridget with a metal tilt front end, only the fiberglass ones, and I want to do it out of the original metal components.

We'll see!

Ray
 
mccalebr said:
I've not seen a Spridget with a metal tilt front end, only the fiberglass ones, and I want to do it out of the original metal components.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly Ray. I am tempted to try it on my '62 Sprite. Since the current parts are from a later Midget. I have correct sheet metal stored away for the future. Every thing could be bolted together with some fabrication of braces. The weight should only be a bit heavier than the BE.

BTW Ben, your car is looking great and I am looking forward to seeing it at Eurofest.
 
I got the plans for these hinges from Gerards Garage. I don't think he has the tech section back up yet but I can probably find the file if anyone wants it.

I like these hinges because they have a built in stop/guide.

Pat: The only difference between our cars is probably the interior. I diverged from original there and went with a black interior. I think it looks really good but would never win me any extra points with anyone who really knows these cars. Its a balance but in the long run Im just honored to be able to keep another one alive and on the road. It should last another 50 years with the care that I've taken. I "hope"!
 
Ben

Does this look familiar?

Pat
 

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Oh Ben, don't put a bumper on it. Looks great as it is.
 
I have only worked on a single BE that a friend of mine owned while in the Marines, and I was always terrified that the bonnet would come down on top of us. I really like the tilt idea. I think it would help working on a Midget if one could be engineered. I always hated working in the engine room of of my ex's Midget.
 
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