<sigh>...figured out why the socket head bolts had been added.
It would appear some rather dodgy body work has been done on the left side, and due to thick filler in the rear silencer mount area, the stock bracket bolts were not long enough. Not sure why the front mount has the socket heads. Also, there is what appears to be a nasty glued-on patch to the front of the front mount, probably for a tear.
I have some experience with alloy body work (Austin-Healey center shroud) and know how difficult it can be to properly shrink and straighten stretched alloy. In extreme cases cutting out a 'slice' and welding up the seam is called for. But these cars deserve better than banging away on the inside then slathering on thick filler.
Really disappointing. At least the respray part of the work was done well as when checking light reflection on that side there is no indication of a repair.


