Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

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?

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

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?

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.

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.

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.



Cheers,
Don

Thanks Don!

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.

A couple more pics to compare, one from my S2 and one from my old S3.

Jon, I tend to agree, now looking at the other pics provided.