Check your bonnet catches!

[moggiesgalore]

Afternoon all,

Had a scary mishap this morning when my bonnet decided to lift at 60mph and fold back pushing the centre of the roof down by about 8". It then tore free and I haven't yet been able to find it!

My little mog of 21 years ownership is trashed! If this had happened in my convertible I don't think I would be here.

Luckily everything structural is okay and I plan to try and graft a new piece into the existing roof. Trouble is I sent two moggie rooves to the scrap man a few months ago!

If anyone in the south west knows of a good roof going spare from a scrapper/convertible conversion I would be grateful. Am in mid Devon and am prepared to travel to collect.

Many thanks

[chickenjohn]

Ouch! nasty accident. Glad to hear you escaped OK though and good luck with fixing your car.

[plastic_orange]

Happened to me nearly 40 years ago. I just left the bonnet at the side of the road, then realised the next day after visiting scrapyards for a replacement, that it wasn't too easy to find a bonnet for an MM series, nor were hinges easily found.
I retrieved the bonnet and straightened it out as best I could, and actually found hinges in a breaker that kept absolutely everything (now long gone).
It took me at least a year to get a replacement bonnet - no internet to help you back then. Roof damage wasn't too bad, but roof ariel left it's mark.

Pete

[faversham999]

Dont foget the roof on an open top, I bought a nice new frame after leaving my roof open. It also broke the number plate light

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

It happened to me in my white traveller a few years ago, the car hadnt been out for a while and I started it on the handle as the battery was low and musnt have closed it properly. I got to about 50mph and it lifted, a scary moment as I only had about 2inches of visiblity between the bonnet and bulkhead to find somewhere to pull in safely. It only broke one hinge and bent the bonnet out of shape which thankfully was able to be straightened back into shape. I always make sure the bonnets closed now.......

[dalebrignall]

i drove my moggy 30 miles with the bonnett not shut propally the day i baught it ,how lucky was i it did not fly open.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

A nasty accident - can you not push the roof panel out again?

Demonstrates the importance of regular checks and OILING of this oft overlooked mechanism.

I oil my bonnet catch, linkage, locks, bonnet prop and door hinges every fortnight.

[StaffsMoggie]

Bad luck. Very easy to miss oiling up the bonnet catch and safety hook. P6 Rovers were another car prone to this.

[ChrissieDavis]

Hi Guys, are there any photographs of the bonnet catch assembly as it should be?
I have a new bonnet catch return spring to fit tomorrow, and I dont know which way round the spring should be. I asume I undo the bolt at each end of bar that sits over the top of the radiator? what about the two bolts either side of the catch hole?
I have driven round with yellow nylon string holding the bonnet down for a fortnight.

[philthehill]

If you have ever wondered why rally drivers fit straps to their bonnets you do now...................

[les]

Bad luck. Very easy to miss oiling up the bonnet catch and safety hook. P6 Rovers were another car prone to this.

Funny you should mention that, my p6 bonnet folded back on first trip out after I'd resprayed it. I can remember saying 'Oh what a shame'.