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Re: Le Mans-style fiberglass bonnets; was ADU4B Pictures

To: Spitfire Mail List <spitfires@Autox.Team.Net>
Subject: Re: Le Mans-style fiberglass bonnets; was ADU4B Pictures
From: "Marcus Schaper" <schaper@pop.wam.umd.edu>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 1998 10:30:25 EDT
> > I have heard that fiberglass bonnets are available but only in Europe. 
> > This would mean that shipping them to the US would likely be quite dear.
> 
> Over the years, there have been any number of "Le Mans style" bonnets 
> available in fiberglass from both the US and the UK. Some of those in 
> years past (and current?) were either rather poorly made or only vaguely 
> similar in shape to the "original"! 

>From my own experience with fiberglass bonnets I would discourage 
anyone from switching to one. I bought a MKIV in Britain that had 
fiberglass rear side panels and a fiberglass bonnet (original 
shape not a Les Mans styled one) . At about 80 mph the bonnet would 
start shake and even one of the latches got unlocked by itself on a 
French interstate.
Adjustment of the bonnet latches helped a little but did not solve 
the problem. It seems to me that the fiberglass ones are just too 
light to stay in place. They might be fine for racing if you use 
extra bonnet latches but I certainly would not recommend them for 
daily use.
If anyone wants my fiberglass bonnet and can arrange shipping from 
Germany I am glad to trade it for decent metal bonnet (Spit MKIV or 
GT6 MKIII)


Marcus

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