I believe the catches are as fitted to MGBs etc as bonnet catches. They are adjustable to a small degree. The cable is adjustable (up behind the spare - not easy) to decrease the amount of travel at the handle. Mine seems quite easy to release with the grey handle, but does require a firmish slam to reseat the rear of the hood. I always release the rear when putting up the hood as this make it much easier to locate and lock the front rail on the windscreen, after getting the front and sides correct I slam the rear shut again with as little force as possible! The other reason for opening the rear is to access the rear luggage area behind the seats while the hood is up, very useful "hatchback".
