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TR2/3/3A No bonnet hinges?

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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A friend of mine in Ohio purchased a TR3 body, without a bonnet. As he started the restoration process, he purchased an old TR3 bonnet.

Ordered some hinges from Moss ... and discovered there were no holes on the body to mount the bonnet hinges.

Body appears very original - no evidence of modifications or changes to the hinge mount area.

Does anyone have any clues to the mystery? Were there some TR3s with some sort of "quick remove" bonnet device?

Thanks.
Tom
 
On the underside of the cowl/body there were reinforcing pieces. Are those missing as well?
Charley
 
Hi Tom,

Personally; I`ve "Never" seen any without Hinges. Even "TS1" has hinges!!

The "Early" cars had "Flat" areas on the Bonnet & Cowl vs. "Later" cars that had "Raised" areas for the Hinges; For whatever that may be worth??

Sounds like "Bondo" or something covered the holes.

Russ
 
Weird. No reinforcing plates underneath, no raised area. Wish I could remember if the front latch and Dzus brackets were there.

We can't see the purpose of not having hinges. Bonnet strapped down for quick removal when racing?
 
That seems an unlikely omission, I expect they have been filled intentionally or otherwise. Is the body in primer perhaps?

NutmegCT said:
...Bonnet strapped down for quick removal when racing?
Click to expand...

An easier way to do that would be to press out the hinge pin and replace it with something slightly looser but secured like a clevis pin or hitch pin. In fact, that is what I have done on my boot lid for easy R&R of the usual luggage rack.
 
Not primer - looks like very old (original?) BRG.

I've emailed the owner (who has three others in various stages of restoration), to ask about the front latch and Dzus situation.
 
Have you confirmed the presence of reinforcing channels with or without holes underneath? Tom
 
Sounds like "Bondo" or something covered the holes.

Russ[/QUOTE] I agree. Probably the car had bodywork done by someone not familiar with the car and the holes got filled in. Put the hinge on the car in the correct location going by photos and scratch the underside of the bonnet where the holes should be.....bet you hit Bondo.
 
No reinforcing panels, no bondo. Magnets (usually) don't lie!

And of course ... why the heck would someone fill in the holes?

:crazyeyes:
 
If there are no reinforcement panels, then the scuttle was replaced. They either forgot the reinforcements or had some oddball customization idea. The problem will not be the holes, as they are easy to drill, but rather getting the reinforcement panels in to take the hinge loads. I don't know how you will do them without first removing the scuttle.
 
I agree, CJD. The scuttle was likely replaced.
At any rate, pragmatics should be the rule here: the hinges go where the hinges go.....on every TR2 and 3 ever made.
There are MANY things that will be of great import in the rebuild of this car!
Thom
1959 TR3#34909L(O)
 
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