Bonnet frame attachment

[Bud5000]

Can anyone tell me what this little arm is for on the bonnet frame? The picture is with the bonnet off and upside down.
There was nothing attached to it when I removed it.
68 Plus 2.

[Foxie]

It's for a bonnet opening assist spring, which seems to go against Chapman's policy of "simplifying and adding lightness" as imho it's completely unnecessary !

[ncm]

"It's for a bonnet opening assist spring, which seems to go against Chapman's policy of "simplifying and adding lightness" as imho it's completely unnecessary !"

except the early cars didn't have the hand holes cut in the rear face of the bonnet..

Brian.

[Bud5000]

Thanks Brian, that makes sense. Yeah mine is an early model without the hand holes. I'll have look and try some springs to see if it makes a difference but I'm not fussed if they're there or not.

[Foxie]

"It's for a bonnet opening assist spring, which seems to go against Chapman's policy of "simplifying and adding lightness" as imho it's completely unnecessary !"

except the early cars didn't have the hand holes cut in the rear face of the bonnet..

Brian.

The addition of hand holes really is "simplicating and adding lightness" !

However, the drawing from the manual actually shows both the assist spring AND the hand holes

[alan.barker]

For me on the +2 there is a support from the bar to support the edge of the Bonnet in that position. No Spring.
Alan

[Bud English]

As Alan stated, in the later cars the bar is modified to provide bonnet center support and some minimal adjustment for alignment of the body line at that point. Unfortunately, it's not documented in either the parts book or the workshop manual. It's not properly adjusted in the picture.

Bonnet Center Support

[Foxie]

Here is how I manage the bonnet front centre support.

[alan.barker]

very nice and i suppose you have "Trigger's Broom handle" to keep the Bonnet open when working on the Engine
Alan

[Foxie]

Well Alan,

Along with the original telescopic strut secured with a P-clip, I have a quick release bonnet pin.

It takes me less than 10 seconds to remove the bonnet completely !

[alan.barker]

QD Bonnet very handy nice mod. I think you could make the centre support look a bit better though Foxie.
Alan

[Foxie]

QD Bonnet very handy nice mod. I think you could make the centre support look a bit better though Foxie.
Alan

Alan, I'll do it just for you !

( Simplicate & add lightness ! )

[Foxie]

very nice and i suppose you have "Trigger's Broom handle" to keep the Bonnet open when working on the Engine
Alan

"Trigger's Broom Handle" I had to look it up !

Am I right that this refers to Trigger in "Only Fools and Horses" ?

Just reading Mike Lawrence's great book "Colin Chapman Wayward Genius" again when I came across this relevant nugget on page 90 regarding the Elite bonnet stay, attached below.

Would "Chapman's Broom" predate "Trigger's Broom" ?

[alan.barker]

Amazing what we can learn on this Forum, makes good reading and a chuckle at the same time.
Alan