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Forward Tilt Bonnet

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I'm wondering if one could clamp/bolt/weld all the individual pieces of a Midget front clip together & use either a Bugeye latching mechanism or Spitfire latches...tilt front Midget!
 
I do believe I've seen pics of a front tilt Spridget Setup. Simply bolting the hood shut so it all becomes on piece with the fenders and away you go.

Ben,

I've got the brackets built and am currently working on my Bugeye Bonnet for Bugsy my '68 Sprite. Lots of metal reworking and bondo to fix but hopefully ready b/4 Spring. Would you recommend an additional safety cable the keep the bonnet from putting too much pressure on the hinge.

How about a larger backing plate on the inside of the bonnet where the bolts go through to attach to the large mounting plate? Plans do not call for one but that looks to be an area that isn't all that strong to begin with. My bonnet took a previous shot in that area and I've had to do a lot of metal rework. Does it feel sturdy enough after it is all bolted up?

Looking great, keep the forward tilt.
 
Jim,

The lower hole is already reinforced with a pretty thick plate for the original latch mechanism. The top hole is of course drilled for the hinge and feels very sturdy. The slide stops are made of steel thats at least twice as thick as the metal that the bonnets made from. Other than using grade 8 bolts I don't think anything additional is needed.
 
Thanks Ben,

Adapter plate I made up seems to be a little bit off in alignment. If I use smaller bolts all will line up. I may need to redo this one to make it fit. I built it out of 3 pieces of thinner aluminum plates so I ended up I think 3/8" thickness. Easier to work in aluminum and then I used some JB Weld to sandwich and hold together. I machined all three pieces together so it looks and acts as a single piece of metal. A few months from now I'll get the bonnet bolts on. In the meantime got to get the bodywork on bonnet finished before it gets too friggin cold in the garage. Thanks again.
 
I think if I were to do a tilt bonnet on a post-BE body I would weld the wings and bonnet together and fill the seams and make it al nice and smooth...that would look great! It also seems to me that with the addition of the front bumper, the forward tilt looks like it would be limited, hampering the benefits of the access afforded by the forward tilt and necessitating some kind of support struts!!
 
My plans for the '62 Sprite I'm doing will follow a couple steps. I plan to clamp (maybe even bolt) the major components together first to check fit and position for brackets. The Bugeye style brackets may work as is, or may require modification. The mock-up should help determine that.

If all appears doable I intend to weld together all the large components into a single unit, as is the Bugeye bonnet. I will likely use a stip of 3/32 or 1/8th steel between the hood (bonnet) and fenders to fill the gap and also add some strength. Once welded and ground flat very little filler should be needed. Gussets will be added at the bonnet rear top corners as on the Bugeye.

As my car will be bumperless, I'm hoping to get the tilt to work with a simple single pivot on each bracket. If there is a problem with clearance, then a more complex sliding pivot may be required (lift slightly, pull forward a couple inches, fully raise).

Should be a fun project!

Ray
 
Ray - keep a blog on your project...I wanna see how it turns out.
 
Will do, Tony...actually I already am. You can see the "Before" the "During" and hopefully next Spring, the "After" at: https://www.raysmg.com ...click on "The Spridget Project".

Right now I'm busy as can be in the "Bodywork" section of the project. Had a LOT of rust to get rid of an a LOT of new sheet metal to install; it's basically a new car from the beltline down. New floor pans, footwells, cross members, inner/outer sills, rear bulkhead, spring boxes, and trunk floor are in. Got one "A" pillar installed and the other marked but I'm waiting on a replacement part from Moss (the driver's side "A" post w/two tapping plates is incorrect, no gusset...all that Moss had; I notified Moss and they in turn contacted Steelcraft in England who is now making a run with the gusset. I should have a replacement the first week in Nov.; if not, I'll make up the gusset myself and weld it on).

The car is currently in two halves, front back to the rear bulkhead, and the rear clip. BUT, I'm looking forward to reconciling these unreconcilable differences and reuniting the two parties in a couple weeks.

Ray
 
I had mine made out of stainless for strength and polished the heck out of them. I was worried about the constant scratching of the paint. I wondered if powder coating would hold up on the moving bits. Sure would be a lot cheaper, but I had a friend's father that made them for free.
 
John-Peter....I tried to go to that link but got this message:

"To enjoy this Web-only feature of midgetsprite, you need to enable Web Access.
With Web Access, you'll enjoy your group's online photos, polls, links, message archive search, and more!"

& I also think it'd look neat with them just bolted together.
 
JP, thanks for the link.

Tony, you have to sign up for Yahoo Groups to view the site. I signed up, took a couple tries as the verification gets into a loop, but eventually got to the photos and saved them off. I put them up on my "Whazit" page; you can see them there without joining anything and I'll display them below. There's not any detail, just a shot of it closed and another of it open. The photo credits list "Ron Joplin" of "Chico" (TX?) as the owner. Anyone know Ron? I'd like to contact him.

Ray

tiltbonnet1.jpg


tiltbonnet2.jpg
 
Now, that one opens wide enough!! Do his headlights hit the ground?
 
Yep, RWA w/early windshield & doors...probably went with lightest parts possible on a later bodyshell
 
Without question that is awsum. If you have no intrest in orginality that is without question the way to go.

I approve most heartaly. Just think how easy it is to work on things or even remove the front, "bonnet"?
 
Frank C. did a forward tilting bonnet on PIECES and he even set it up with a couple of Quick disconnect type pins so the bonnet was quickly removable for access to teh radiator and other front of engine parts.

Any ideas on a Quick Disconnect for headlight wiring and turn signals. Haven't found anything that looks nice / weatherproof yet.

I was able to get hold down latches fairly easily. There is a place in the classifieds in the back of Classic Motorsports MAgazie that lists all sorts of race car type fasteners and hardware. Found a nioce set of chrome latches. no maybe stainless for less than $15.00 a few years ago. Been in the box on a shelf awaiting my time to get the Bugeye bonnet finished for Bugsy my '68 Sprite.
 
Jim, I'm planning on using components from Painless Performance Products (https://www.painlessperformance.com/) for the '62 Spridget. Since it is a RestoMod I want to exploit the ability to mix new technology and parts with the traditional where there is benefit. They, fortunately, offer quick disconnects in both standard and weather resistant (with water tight boots).

I have included pull-pins in the specs for the tilt brackets. I already have a chain hoist in the garage and will rig a simple 4 strap harness so that alone I can raise the front bonnet clear of the chassis.

I seem to remember Frank and Pieces, from somewhere...is he here or another list? I'd like to pick his brain.

Ray
 
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