You don't say, but it sounds like you have an aluminum bonnet (it being
so "light" and all). I would suspect that once stretched, there isn't
anything you can do to force the metal back into its original shape,
since you can't get an anvil behind that section to properly beat it out.
But take it up with an experienced panel beater -- they might have a
better idea.
I think you're lucky the bonnet didn't crease in half at the point that
it contacted the top edge of the windshield. I witnessed this once happen
to some friends while following in a support vehicle -- the bonnet blew
open on the highway (actually a 2-lane country road running down into a
canyon; no shoulder or guardrail), folded over the screen, and gave them
both a rap on the noggin. The pilot managed to stop in a straight line
(in the middle of the road, of course), and it was all I could do in the
'65 Fury wagon not to plow into him (tires smoking, etc). The safety
catch had torn completely free of the aluminum. We removed the bonnet,
tossed it into the back of the wagon, and carried on, bruised but unbowed.
Oddly, when I bought my '66 B, its bonnet had a sharp, horizontal crease,
which severely impacted its structural integrity (i.e. it flopped
appallingly when propped open). Apparently it had blown open at some
time, as well. I suspect this is relatively common, particularly with the
aluminum bonnets, because 1) they're more easily deformed (so the catch
becomes misaligned); 2) they're lighter; 3) the safety catch is merely
riveted to the aluminum, and pulls out instead of performing its function.
Anyway, my point is, if your bonnet is not a perfect fit, you had better
take precautions. Make sure the catch is properly aligned and secure.
Make sure the safety catch is also secure. What I did as a temporary
measure until I replaced my bonnet was to remove the safety catch and fit
a steel plate with blind nuts behind the aluminum section that the safety
catch then bolted to. You might also consider the "vintage look" leather
hold-down straps, or racing-style hood pins.
I now have a steel bonnet, which some blankety-blank in an SUV recently
smashed. I (or rather a burly pal) hammered on it enough to get it to
latch, and straightened out the safety catch. Just yesterday, on the
freeway, I noticed the latch had popped open and it was bouncing on the
safety catch. Today, I'm going out to drill a hole in the front edge of
the bonnet to give my bungee cord a good grip. I'm afraid if the steel
bonnet were to fly open, it might crack the windscreen. Of course, with
the traffic around here, that would be the least of my worries.
Sorry to run on, but I just wanted to stress that, while your bonnet
blowing open when parked is an annoyance, its blowing open when driving
could be serious. Safety fast!
Eric Erickson had this to say:
>This talk of "creased bootlids" has made me think it is about time I
>fixed my poorly fitting bonnet (hood - thing that covers the engine).
>
>When I had cause to stop by the side of the road (as we all have done at
>some time) some months ago, I lifted the bonnet and placed the strut to
>hold it there. I had just stuck my head in the engine baywhen a gust of
>wind caught the bonnet and tried to wrap it over the windscreen. Now the
>metal under the bonnet where each hinge attaches is bent so that the
>bonnet is slightly lifted when closed... just enough to be annoyingly
>noticeable.
>
>I wasn't used to wind lifting the bonnet on my Ford station wagon -
>which sometimes *I* could barely lift!
>
>I don't want to grab the nearest mallet and give the thing a bash
>without asking if anyone has any warnings or tips to stop me doing
>anything stupid. Frankly I think the answer *is* just to bash the thing
>back into shape... but....?
>
>Oh yeah... any thoughts on stopping this happening again would be nice
>(apart from the obvious ones about only parking with the wind coming
>from the REAR of the car).
>
>
>Eric
>'68MGB MkII
>
--
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Max Heim
mvheim@studiolimage.com
Studio L'Image/San Francisco
415 643 9309 : 415 643 9307 fax
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212 242 3366 : 212 242 3399 fax
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