Different bonnet?

[DaveM]

Saw an S3 at Supercar Sunday with a different bonnet - it had side vents like a Chimaera rather than the centre bonnet vent - I was told it was a factory experiment - anyone know anymore, like why it wasn't adopted - was it a one off etc?

[kev s3]

think some s3c's and s4's had this type of bonnet.how old was the car?
just noticed in this months sprint the picture comp winner is an s3c with said bonnet.does look good
wouldnt mind one for mine

>> Edited by kev s3 on Tuesday 23 July 15:07

[DaveM]

J reg I think but it's the only one I've ever seen.

[Podie]

I thought that was the S4 bonnet - wouldn't have had the usual S scoop... I'm sure Ted or Steve Heath or any one of the S lads will confirm this.

[alisonh]

My S3C on an H plate had a bonnet like that which I actually prefer – smoother lines. I think they were on the later ones, unless mine had a crunch somewhere along the way and was replaced but I don’t think so.

Ted’s S4 on a J has the same bonnet.

[Qualia]

My H-reg S3c has the bonnet with the side vents. I think it looks pretty good.
Maybe it was an option, because I have seen later cars than mine with the "normal" air scoop. Or TVR just used whatever they had sitting on the shelves, as indicated here:

www.pistonheads.com/tvr/s/default.asp?storyId=3271

[kev s3]

seems like theres never any standard with the s.suppose it would have been customer preference or in some cases whatever tvr had available

[johno]

Kev is totally correct from what I have seen and read. THERE ARE NO STANDARD S's !!

This bonnet was/is the Chimaera bonnet and was standard ( ) fit on later cars rather than an option.

I understood it originally as being the S4 bonnet but with the S series normal ability to cloud model change it appears on some S3's, but not all !

I always thought it looked better than the standard S bonnet aswell

Cheers

Mark

[kev s3]

might be a silly question but would this type of bonnet provide enough air intake for the older cars?
and would it be in the right place?

[Podie]

Might help cooling.... let the heat escape more easily...

[johno]

I would suggest that due to the number, size and positioning of the holes that it would increase air flow through the engine bay and therefor assist in cooling.

The vast majority of air flow for the S is through the holes at the front rather than the holes in the top on the earlier cars.

With the S3c and S4c it would make sense for there to be more air flow with the addition of Cats causing more heat ?? Maybe...maybe not ...

Cheers

Mark

[shpub]

I suspect someone dropped an angle grinder on a bonnet several times by mistake...

[JSG]

My S3C had the same bonnet, it was fitted to 'some' S3Cs and all S4s as far as I know and incorporates the driving / fog lamps in the front valance.

They're not that rare, but with TVRs policy of using up 'bits in the corner' its not easy to define which cars had what.

Cheers,
JSG

[Dave_H]

I think the bonnet spec at the time depended on the day of week, the way the wind was blowing, or Steve's angle grinder theory

[bena80]

My 93 S3C has the side vents. I specifically searched out this type, and from what I saw seemed to be on later cars. One early S3C (G reg may 89) I looked at in Kidbrooke had no vents at all (on top or at the side) - has anyone else seen one like this?

[Heath]

Hi,

Yes, there are a few of these bonnets around, infact, there was an S3C at Curborough Sprint this weekend looking pretty mean, had the bonnet you are talking about.

I do think that they look more refined but I'd miss sitting behind that bonnet bulge whilst driving.

Had a quote from David Geralds a while ago for replacing my standard S3 bonnet without spots for this baby. £3k was the estimate including wiring spots etc. Forget that one!

[Dave_H]

Very poor plug I'll admit - But if you want to convert your non driving lamp bonnet to one with, my PH ad in the spares section has the panel. There is a fair bit of GRP work/re-painting involved (i.e it's not just a bolt on item) but it won't cost the same as replacing the whole bonnet

Sorry Ted

Cheers,

Dave.

[richb]

Just because I like the picture, here's my old S3c with the S4 bonnet. Cheers Rich...

[johno]

quote:
Hi,

Yes, there are a few of these bonnets around, infact, there was an S3C at Curborough Sprint this weekend looking pretty mean, had the bonnet you are talking about.

Sharpy ?

[DaveM]

quote:
This bonnet was/is the Chimaera bonnet and was standard ( ) fit on later cars rather than an option.

Does this mean that a bog standard Chimaera bonnet will fit my S2 (no spots)? As my bonnet has been damaged by our friendly local council (who won't take responsibility - long story ) I have to do something about it at some time.