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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119
L - Learner Plates On
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OP
L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119 |
Flaagan,
I've found that the strap doesn't really ruin your paint. Keep the bonnet waxed and use one of those belts with the felt on the back--you don't need that shearling sheep skin thing.
I've had one on the same car for 39 years and over 83,000 miles, and the worst it does is kind of dull up the paint directly underneath, and that can be rubbed out if you need to.
Allen
'69 4/4 Yup, think I hit upon the answer to my own question when I made the "clear bra" comment (also known as 3M Paint Protection Film). Occurred to me it'd probably be a good idea to get most of the car's exterior wrapped in the stuff after I get past the 'bodywork and paint" phase of the build. Why invest that much time (and potentially money) on this vehicle and not put the extra money in to protect the finish.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 14,976 Likes: 2
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 14,976 Likes: 2 |
Agree Allen, Mine is only a 2011 but I do keep the car clean, waxed and the strap (I do have the wool backing) in good order. No markes in the paint and hope it stays that way. I love the the look, very much suites the car.  +1 I've got one of the "new" Morgan felt backed belts and it is superb.
Richard
1976 4/4 4 Seater
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49 |
Good work Richard, glad you have seen the light...  Agree Allen, Mine is only a 2011 but I do keep the car clean, waxed and the strap (I do have the wool backing) in good order. No markes in the paint and hope it stays that way. I love the the look, very much suites the car. +1 I've got one of the "new" Morgan felt backed belts and it is superb.
A Morgan Identified Fastidious Owner...
2011 4/4 Bespoke, 1981 Delorean, Auburn Boat Tail
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,553 Likes: 88
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,553 Likes: 88 |
I have a sheepskin backed strap on my 4/4. The car has the reduced louvres, so the strap sits forward of them, on a plain section of the bonnet. I really like the look, as well as the added security (though in 30,000 miles I have only had a bonnet catch fail once).
I ensure that each time I clean the car, and particularly after a wet drive, I release the strap and brush any muck from the sheepskin. I also protect the leather with G Wax, which is sold for protection of leather walking boots.
8 years since the strap was fitted and the bonnet is fine.
Bud
__________
2003 - 4/4
Bud
4/4 "Stanley"
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119
L - Learner Plates On
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OP
L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119 |
The strap I'll be using is approximately 30+ years old, and only got unpacked for the first time about a year ago... still looked this good (upper right): 
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,896
Drive on the Wild Side Part of the Furniture
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Drive on the Wild Side Part of the Furniture
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,896 |
So even though my need for this will be a ways off, I was still somewhat curious. What, besides what's availble from Morgan, would you use to protect your bonnet paint from wear from the leather strap? I noticed that no one actually gave you an answer, I have a bonnet strap which came already fitted to my +8. Still undecided about it after over 2 years. However it is rubbing the paintwork on each side at the bottom. So my solution is to touch up the paint work and then put 3M clear protective strip where it rubs, that is if I decide to keep it, you could fit the 3M after it is painted. I was interested to see you were considering replacing the wood frame with an Alloy one, have you decide to do so an why? 
Adrian
Buggered Off, to a modern none leaky car, heart's still ticking
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,896
Drive on the Wild Side Part of the Furniture
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Drive on the Wild Side Part of the Furniture
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,896 |
I have a sheepskin backed strap on my 4/4. The car has the reduced louvres, so the strap sits forward of them, on a plain section of the bonnet. I really like the look, as well as the added security (though in 30,000 miles I have only had a bonnet catch fail once).
I ensure that each time I clean the car, and particularly after a wet drive, I release the strap and brush any muck from the sheepskin. I also protect the leather with G Wax, which is sold for protection of leather walking boots.
8 years since the strap was fitted and the bonnet is fine.
Bud
__________
2003 - 4/4 Mine is rubbing through the paint, after touching up I will fit some 3M clear protection if I keep the strap, I have some spare if you would like some.
Adrian
Buggered Off, to a modern none leaky car, heart's still ticking
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119
L - Learner Plates On
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OP
L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119 |
So even though my need for this will be a ways off, I was still somewhat curious. What, besides what's availble from Morgan, would you use to protect your bonnet paint from wear from the leather strap? I noticed that no one actually gave you an answer, I have a bonnet strap which came already fitted to my +8. Still undecided about it after over 2 years. However it is rubbing the paintwork on each side at the bottom. So my solution is to touch up the paint work and then put 3M clear protective strip where it rubs, that is if I decide to keep it, you could fit the 3M after it is painted. I was interested to see you were considering replacing the wood frame with an Alloy one, have you decide to do so an why? Yeah, since the strap I have doesn't have sheepskin, and that may contrast too much with the colors / look I'm going for, I think the strap plus the 3M tape will be the answer. I'm still undecided on the wood frame. There's a possibility I may hybrid it (some parts wood, some metal). I'm considering the switch for convenience, comfort, and safety. As I understand it, the wood frame was used to help smooth out the ride some along with being for coachworks. With the changes to the suspension on this car, the former shouldn't be an issue. Some parts may require wood out of necessity, but I'd like to have metal for the convenience of build and maintenance on the car. The 'safety' aspect comes into play for things like attempting to add some kind of side-impact protection (like a bar hidden in the door frame). Convenience will happen with things like wiring and the solid mounting of pedals (will likely a switch to hanging-down setup). There's also the cost, as I'd be buying a entirely new wood frameworks, and then having to modify it to work with the changes I'm making. If I'm buying a whole new wood frame, I'd much rather be buying it for the (someday down the road) rebuild on the original chassis. In the end, it may all come down to cost and my final design for the rebuild. I know I'd really like to reuse the original firewall, but I don't want to be hacking into it to accommodate new parts. I've been given a acceptable rough quote to have a whole new one made out of stainless steel. If that quote still stands when I'm ready, I'd have less qualms modifying that to meet my needs. It would mean one less "original" thing on the car, but then, even if it was a full and proper restoration, plenty would fall under that category.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,711 Likes: 1
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,711 Likes: 1 |
I have a sheepskin backed strap on my 4/4. The car has the reduced louvres, so the strap sits forward of them, on a plain section of the bonnet.
Bud
__________
2003 - 4/4 Oh no your one of the lesser louvre crowd.  I also have a sheepskin backed strap but on a full set of louvres.  Doesn't seem to cause any paint problems yet. Just need to watch the buckle when you undo it to open the bonnet. I think it adds a touch of sophistication to the car that it needs when I am behind the wheel. 
Graeme: 2011 +4
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,553 Likes: 88
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,553 Likes: 88 |
Oh no your one of the lesser louvre crowd. Yes, we are an elite group, that includes the Aero 8 owners  Bud 
Bud
4/4 "Stanley"
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