Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Photo Gallery Bonnet hinge brackets and wear

Here are some images showing the excess wear on a bonnet hinge bracket. The worn part is from a 1960 Morgan 4/4 Series II that was last used in 1974.

The bonnet and cowl alignment on this car is dreadful due to amateur repairs in the early 1960s; hence the excessive wear.

The bracket on the right of one image is the worn one; the one on the left is shown for comparison purposes and is in 'as new' condition.

By cutting a shim out of this fixture the bracket can be fine tuned to keep the bonnet in position. Wear of the bracket is one item. But a misaligned cowl is also a factor. Morgans are hand built. It is also possible that the body tub is out of alignment or a bit back from where it should be. This alignment happens when the chassis is replaced and or a new body tub. Lots happen when restoration is accomplished by an inexperienced Craftsman. I have been fighting this alignment problem because I was not precise enough on My +8 project.

Given that Dave has a 1964 Plus 4 so I suspect that either the car has not been rebuilt but is rather 'loose' and after 57 years, I'm not sure that anyone could complaint that it was due to Morgan factory build quality, Alternatively, as you suggested Button, the alignment of the bonnet/hood with the cowl was possible imprecise if and when the car was rebuillt.

57 years?? Someone's stolen four years from me in that case...


Ooops - re-read post properly, part is from 1960.