1969Mk3Spitfire Posted January 2, 2022 Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 A question to the wise 😁 Did any of the Herald range have a spring assist bonnet lifting feature? If so, which models and/or when was it introduced? Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted January 2, 2022 Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 https://www.canleyclassics.com/?diagram=triumph-herald-13/60-bonnet-assembly https://www.canleyclassics.com/?catalogue=triumph-herald-1200&diagram=triumph-herald-1200-bonnet-assembly Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted January 2, 2022 Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 948 and early 1200s had a different arrangement = springs attacked to brackets at the top of the radiator Con Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted January 2, 2022 Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 There were some very slight differences over the years, mainly in the shape of the bonnet tube attachment shown to the right in these, but all nearly the same length otherwise. Someone a few years back made them in stainless, that's the top version in the photo. If you need any Paddocks have them at £9.95 each: https://jamespaddock.co.uk/bonnet-counterbalance-spring-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1969Mk3Spitfire Posted January 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 Thanks, guys, helpful and informative. Why doesn’t the Spitfire utilise such an arrangement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted January 2, 2022 Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 have a feeling it was the spring loads distorted the bonnet somewhere it suggests two guys to lift from each side to avoid stresses its even thought gas struts can impose bonnet cracks on spitty/gt6 just some pub waffle Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted January 2, 2022 Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 From my hand-wavey back of the envelope thoughts on the geometry / physics of the two systems. The Herald’s bonnet is shorter and pivots such that the centre of gravity of the bonnet will be somewhere close to the front of the top panel when it’s open, and that will be positioned just about over the front valance. So the springs will only be providing a relatively small assist to a quite well balanced hinge. The Spitfire on the other hand has a longer bonnet and the hinges protrude beyond the front of the car, so the centre of gravity is much further towards the rear of the car at all times. That’ll mean any springs would need to provide much more force on the inner arches, and fits with Pete’s thoughts / memories about bonnet distortion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted January 2, 2022 Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 I've certainly seen claims that the "club" gas-strut conversion for Spitfires can cause distortion or damage. The Herald and Vitesse had balance springs for, as you say, a relatively well-balanced bonnet (at least, it's an over-centre design that naturally rests open), whereas the Spitfire and GT6 have a heavier bonnet that needs a strut stay to keep it open and don't have balance springs. Perhaps the factory thought Heralds would be driven by "the wife" who had weak arms, whereas Spitfires would be owned by macho men who would be insulted at the implication that they might struggle with lifting the bonnet one-handed. They weren't very PC back then 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 N/M - Yes, there was quite a discussion a little way back about the Spitfire bonnet lift units damaging the wheel arches and other stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 The E-type Jag has a massive bonnet that uses counterbalance springs on the supporting arms, although they're stockier than the Triumph versions. Given the similarities to the Spitfire and Gt6 you'd think Triumph would have opted for something similar rather than just a metal prop to keep the bonnet open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 Well, that might’ve been the lack in similarity of the sales price coming in to play then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1969Mk3Spitfire Posted January 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 Fascinating; every day is a school day on here. Helpful and informative. Following on, is there a correct or preferred side from which to single-handed lift a Spitfire bonnet? I lift mine from the near side. It will not lift from the off side as it distorts and fouls on something. Is this common? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 I lift from the nearside as that's where the bonnet support is on mine. Going to fit the gas lifts (sorry Kevin - he doesn't like them) when/if I ever get the steel bonnet fitted. Now there's a thought (see thread https://forum.tssc.org.uk/topic/9330-highest-asking-price-for-a-1360-convertible/page/3/#comment-138217), is my Spitfire worth more with it's fibreglass bonnet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 5 hours ago, 1969Mk3Spitfire said: I lift mine from the near side. It will not lift from the off side as it distorts and fouls on something. Is this common? I don't know if it's common but mine is the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 the main place to feel like a foul is the latch roller being pulled over the ramp on the baulkhead where you get a heave ho whoops up she goes Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 48 minutes ago, NonMember said: I don't know if it's common but mine is the same. My GT6 did that too, only lifted easily on one side, and stuck if you tried it from the wrong side... can't remember which, now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamB Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 I always lift the bonnet of my Spitfire from the nearside as that is the side of support strut which must be engaged once the bonnet is open. However, if I lift just the nearside, the bonnet twists slightly causing the rubber cone on the offside to become stuck in its locating hole. To stop this I first release both catches then slightly lift the offside and insert a piece of wood about 1" thick under the lower edge. This keeps the cone free of its locating hole so that when I return to the nearside and lift, there is nothing to hinder the bonnet's elevation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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