Vixen bonnet catches

[Monkeythree]

After lots of fettling of the fit of my bonnet, I now need to re-fit the catches. It is an original (I think) system and I want to retain it rather than go with pins or straps,

I currently have the catches bolted directly to the bulkhead but this doesn’t aid the engagement of the striker pins. So I’m thinking that the catches or the striker pins (or both) need some sort of wedge spacer to angle them so they meet each other nicely.

Does anyone have any photos showing how they have angled the striker pins and/or catches such that they engage on the arc of the closing bonnet?

[Astacus]

I haven’t seen any spacers in there. I thought that they bolted directly onto the bulkhead, maybe a thin rubber gasket, but knowing TVR, probably not!

There is a little front to back adjustment on the bonnet catches, but only about 5-10mm.

[Monkeythree]

So I have come up with a solution to this............door hinges!
I’ve left the catches bolted directly to the bulkhead which is not vertical so it means the striker pins need to be fitted to the bonnet at a suitable angle. I have achieved this by bolting the striker pin to a 100mm wide stainless steel domestic door hinge which in turn is bolted to the bonnet frame. I still have to adjust the lateral position of the catches such that the pin strikes exactly in the centre of the catch and adjust the vertical position to get the “catch” to engage at exactly the right depth and then the hinge will allow the striker pin to follow the arc of the closing bonnet.

[tomtrout]

The stricker pins on my vixen bonnet were originally mounted on timber spacer blocks. I replaced these but it would be easy to shave a slight angle on the blocked if deemed necessary.

[Andrew Gray]

Here are some pictures as there are so few pictures around on the webb of the inside of the catches and how they work
On this variant of the bonnet which is a later variant which allows the use of the longer M series pins.
The angle of the plinth is already in the mold however in this case i have increased the angel as this was needed and my other car was the same.










Andrew

[ktr6]

Im not certain if these will fit a Vixen but there are an improved reproduction hood pin being made that will fit the Griffith.

[Andrew Gray]

ktr6 said:

Im not certain if these will fit a Vixen but there are an improved reproduction hood pin being made that will fit the Griffith.

Those look very good
Can you let people know where they are available they look like they will fit the Vixen depending on the bonnet support set up.
I noticed that earlier in the thread the original poster mentioned spacers on the bulkhead when mounting the catch.
My Vixen has had this done.
The Bonnet was replaced by the factory in the 70s and looks like they moved the position of the bonnet support forward for some reason and added spacers on the bulkhead
Andrew

[ktr6]

Here are the specs on the pins from the shop who made them (in inches I believe):

-Pin Cup outer diameter: 1.125
-Pin head max outer diameter: .68
-Overall Height (bottom of mounting plate to top of pin): 1.86 inches
-Mounting Holes (slotted for adjustment): .30
-Center to center of mounting holes: 1.98inches


Current price is $100 per set plus shipping

Available from:
East Side Concepts Inc
98 Rhodomoyer Road
Millville, PA 17846
https://eastsideconcepts.com


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