Bonnet Catches

Useful time to look at the bonnet catches and clearly there is an amount of lining up to do as each catch comprises two parts (obviously!) which fit either side of the bonnet and body.

Reading several other blogs a template / jig seems the order of the day which will ensure the catch correctly lines up on the bodywork and holes end up being drilled in the right place!

Hopefully the photos do this part justice, suffice to say a scrap piece of wood, some blue tack and a sheet of paper will be needed.

I first screwed down the black lower end of the catch onto the wood with the paper between the catch and piece of wood. Taking the blue tack I applied that to the paper and then it was a case of carefully positioning the top catch in the black half and pressing down onto the blue tack - this gave me a clue where the top catch fitted in relation to the bottom part.



Once happy with that positioning I screwed through the blue tack to give me my centre hole for the top catch, removed the blue tack and screw, positioned the top catch over the freshly located hole, re- screwed back in and drew round all the parts. The end result is the relative positions of the top and bottom catch are established and that in turn can be used to create the cardboard template.

 Template done,  it was simply a case of transplanting those measurements onto the bonnet and bodywork, carefully drilling the holes and riveting into place - (I had to bend the riveting pin slightly for my riveter to fully pull through the pin and ensure a good grip from the rivet). repeat four times and the bonnet catches should be nicely setup and positioned correctly thus enabling the bonnet to be clipped down securely.

Bonnet - Initial Fit

Its getting to the point where I need to see how the bonnet fits in relation to the scuttle and nosecone. 

Before fitting I attached the bonnet edging trim to both ends which simply knocks in with a rubber mallet (there is a thin bead of glue inside the trim to adhere to the bonnet edge).

I then offered the bonnet up to the scuttle and nosecone (this is temporarily fitted into position) and ratchet strapped front and aft to enable it to form to the shape. Initial indications seem ok - it is slightly proud along the front edges on both sides where the curve is not fully following the curvature of the nosecone . Fit to the scuttle seems good with no obvious area where it is sitting proud.

Clearly some fine tuning to be done and hopefully the gaping referred to above will resolve with the fitment of the bonnet catches and bonnet locating pins...