S3 bonnet / hood

PostPost by: gjz30075 » Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:39 pm

My S3 bonnet has two bobbins for which I can not figure out their purpose. Also, it has no
rib supports underneath. Could this be an aftermarket bonnet?
Attachments
dsc00834.jpg and
dsc00833.jpg and
dsc00832.jpg and
Greg Z
45/0243K Sprint
45/7286 S3 SE DHC
User avatar
gjz30075
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3481
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: Pastapesto » Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:55 pm

Hello Greg

The bobbins are to hold the 2 springs that lift the bonnet when you pull the bonnet cables. The other end of the spring attaches to the holes in the chassis just in front of the engine mounting bracket. Early cars (S1, S2 & early S3) used the Marston bespoke (I think!) radiator & the springs went either side. Later bonnets attached to a central hook using a larger single Spring which attached its other end to the steering rack. The early rad is too wide for the later type Spring to be used so you need the early type springs (available from Paul Matty's & probably others).
All early type bonnets as far as I know had the "ribs" for strengthening which later changed to a metal tube bent into a "U" shape & bonded into the bonnet/hood. Your bonnet/hood looks like it may possibly be non original.

Hope that is of some help.

Adam
Pastapesto
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 286
Joined: 12 Nov 2006

PostPost by: gjz30075 » Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:39 pm

Good explanation, thanks! This bonnet has the center spring and the car has thewide radiator.
The center spring sheet metal 'latch' looks to be homemade. Car is 36/5727.

Anyone else have their original bonnet for a car around this serial number?
Greg Z
45/0243K Sprint
45/7286 S3 SE DHC
User avatar
gjz30075
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3481
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: Jon Eckman » Wed Jun 13, 2018 6:50 pm

Here's a picture of my 36/5599 hood (single spring), which I believe is original. Looks like yours may not be original as it is a later # than mine, but has the two side bobbins.
Attachments
36-5599-bonnet-hood.jpg and
Jon Eckman
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 189
Joined: 23 Sep 2003

PostPost by: gjz30075 » Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:07 pm

Interesting. Maybe we have 'transitional' bonnets, ie, they needed to use up old stock (S1, S2 ) before going
to 'no bobbins'. Although hard to tell, it looks like your single spring loop is just like mine. I don't know
why I don't have reinforcing ribs.
Greg Z
45/0243K Sprint
45/7286 S3 SE DHC
User avatar
gjz30075
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3481
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: donselan » Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:36 pm

Hi Greg
I have 36/5607 and 45/6646 so I am on either side of you. My bonnets are the same and very much like Jon's.
Both are original.

Here is a photo of the coupe's bonnet underside.

36_5607-bonnet-underside.jpg and


Cheers,
Don
Don Fysh
S3 Elan FHC 36/5607
S3 Elan DHC 45/6646
donselan
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 143
Joined: 30 Nov 2003

PostPost by: gjz30075 » Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:37 pm

Thanks Don!
Greg Z
45/0243K Sprint
45/7286 S3 SE DHC
User avatar
gjz30075
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3481
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: Jon Eckman » Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:11 pm

It looks like the edges of your hood Greg are thinner and don't curl over nearly as far as Don's and mine. With both types of spring attachments, it makes me think that some aftermarketer created one hood to service the different series.
Jon Eckman
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 189
Joined: 23 Sep 2003

PostPost by: types26/36 » Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:37 pm

A couple more pics to compare, one from my S2 and one from my old S3.
Attachments
s3-004.jpg and
bonnet-bolts-009.jpg and
Brian
64 S2 Roadster
72 Sprint FHC
User avatar
types26/36
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3872
Joined: 11 Sep 2003

PostPost by: gjz30075 » Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:41 pm

Jon, I tend to agree, now looking at the other pics provided.
Greg Z
45/0243K Sprint
45/7286 S3 SE DHC
User avatar
gjz30075
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3481
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests