Gee, Marcus - the steel bonnet on my '63 does that! <g> Or at least it did -
easily fixed in the end by replacing and adjusting the little rubber cones
that locate the closed bonnet. Maybe something similar in function but
oversized and sprung would do the trick for the plastic lid.
rgds,
Jon
> ----------
> From: Marcus Schaper[SMTP:schaper@pop.wam.umd.edu]
> Reply To: Marcus Schaper
> Sent: Tuesday, 3 November 1998 1:30
> To: Spitfire Mail List
> Subject: Re: Le Mans-style fiberglass bonnets; was ADU4B Pictures
>
> > > 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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