Randall Young wrote:
> > Also, I noticed that the bonnet buffers were different. My car
looks
> > like the illustrations in the SPC, with a conical rubber piece
mounted
> > to each side of the bonnet, similar to the TR4A but pointed the
opposite
> > direction. The cars at the show had a 'V' shaped piece on the
bonnet,
> > and a matching rubber-covered bracket on the bulkhead. Any ideas
whence
> > the difference ?
Randall, the inverted tapered buffers (which you'll have noticed are
adjustable?) were introduced across the whole Herald/Vitesse range in
an attempt to centralise the bonnet in a closed condition. Early
models relied primarily on the side catches to achieve rear edge
alignment - but this, together with fairly weak bonnet cross-bracing
and weak front hinges resulted in many cars having an unsightly gap at
the front between the bonnet lower front edge and the top of the front
valance. This came about from bonnets being lifted by one or other
side catches and putting in a cross-wind that once in place, was
almost impossible to rectify. Even with the later versions with
buffers, the bonnet should always be raised by pulling on the bonnet
rear centre around the heater air-intake - and this goes for
Spitfire/GT6 as well - though I defy most people to lift this lump of
steel in that manner. Very early Heralds had a central bonnet pull
handle for this purpose that most people never used.
For the record, if the tapered buffers on all Herald saloon and sports
derivatives distort after a period of use in which the rubber looks as
though it's being forced sideways off the base, this means the bonnet
is still out of alignment. Where you make the start to adjust is
anyone's guess (because "it depends") and this is compounded
exponentially if the car has had a body off restoration / twisted
scuttle / chassis / distorted hinges. As none of the body alignment
jigs probably escaped into enthusiast captivity, take my word for it
that such a task is an absolute s*d to do and only worth undertaking
if you can see five years ahead with little else to do!
Jonmac
MG 4305 DLO 1970 2.5PI
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