The bonnet has so many different curves that it is very time consuming to
make sure that it is straight. Be prepared to to spend $ as body work is 80%
labor, 20% materials. If the beading needs replacing or if you can't find a
really good metal man I can send some pics of my recently finished bonnet
and the mans name who did the work.
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Gigante <mikeg@vicnet.net.au>
To: jburruso@pacbell.net <jburruso@pacbell.net>
Cc: YourName <jburruso@pacbell.net>; spridgets@autox.team.net
<spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Thursday, June 18, 1998 8:02 PM
Subject: Re: BugEye Bonnet
>To properly repair a bugeye bonnet well requires a skillfull panel beater.
>It is
>not an easy task to get excellent shape and fit. I'd try and find the best
>panel
>beater I could find, one that has rave reviews.
>
>Mike
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: YourName <jburruso@pacbell.net>
>To: Mike Gigante <mikeg@vicnet.net.au>
>Cc: YourName <jburruso@pacbell.net>; spridgets@autox.team.net
><spridgets@autox.team.net>
>Date: Friday, June 19, 1998 2:55 AM
>Subject: Re: BugEye Bonnet
>
>
>>Thanks Mike.
>>>From the responses I got from folks who have used fiberglass bonnets It
>seems
>>that virtually no one is satisfied with the fit and finish of what's there
>out
>>on the market. This brings up plan "B".
>>Does anyone out there have a success story about redoing a steel bonnet.
>The
>>one I have is repairable but it is tweaked. Frank Clarici gave me some
>good
>>tips about strengthening the bonnet structure but the big question
is...how
>do
>>you regain the original contours of the bonnet? Do you fit it to the car
>or
>>do you bang out the general shape and then do the fine work with the
bonnet
>mounted?
>>Thanks In Advance
>>Joe Burruso
>>
>>Mike Gigante wrote:
>>>
>>> Well, I have yet to see a good fitting fibreglass bonnet for the
>>> bugeye. they may exist, but they have eluded me.
>>>
>>> I bought mine from Mini Mania. It has a reasonable exterior finish
>>> although it is pretty wobbly and required a lot of work and bondo
>>> to make it smooth enough for a nice paint finish. Th big problem
>>> was fit. It seems a little low at the front (in the area between the
>>> headlight bowls) and the side 'wings' or quarter panels stick out
>>> about 4" on either side and are a little too shallow (leaving a gap
>>> between the bonnet and the sills (rockers). The top section
>>> around the scuttle was too flat. It doesn't come with any radiator
>>> shrouding, so you should plan do do something about that too.
>>>
>>> MM is not alone, the local ones have problems of similar magnitude.
>>>
>>> If you do go for a f/glass bonnet, be prepared to spend lots of hours
>>> on finish and fitting and be prepared for a less than perfect fit.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: YourName <jburruso@pacbell.net>
>>> To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
>>> Date: Thursday, June 18, 1998 8:33 AM
>>> Subject: BugEye Bonnet
>>>
>>> >I would like to hear from anyone who has successfully installed a
>>> fiberglass
>>> >bonnet on a BugEye. I'd like to know who manufactured it and how the
>>> >shrouding, hinges and securing hardware were installed. Thanks in
>advance.
>>> >
>>> >Joe Burruso
>>> >60 BugEye
>>> >AN5L26473
>>> >
>>
>
>
|