Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Bonnet catches

Evening all,

I was wondering how everyone gets on with the original style bonnet catches? They seem rather fiddly and very easy to damage the paint!
The later ones seem a lot better so I am likely going to have them updated, but curious to hear people’s thoughts on both.

There have been comments on this before. The 'Vintage' catches are quite springy and the bonnet can ride forward half an inch, wearing the paintwork (I have fitted rubber pads to reduce chafing - to the vehicle, I should add). G56 sell sprung Dzus fasteners, which look like a good alternative.

I fitted the G56 spring release kit when I had my M3W. It fits to the OE Dzus style fasteners but adds spring retraction so bonnet is easier to remove single handed. Never had any issues once all four catches engaged.

Thanks both, interesting as I didn't realise they can ride forward and cause damage - once the springs are fitted are the old fasteners relatively easy to locate? Its getting them in the locating holes that apparently is a bit of a pain!

Also ignoring practicalities, what are peoples views on aesthetics of each?

Getting the Dzus fasteners to engage requires developing your own technique and a bit of practice. I put the bonnet on in approximately the correct position locate one of the front fasteners and then the other front one followed by the rears in the same sequence, double check and then rotate the fastners to lock. I don't have the G56 springs as I have never felt the need for them. I think it depends on your level of feel and dexterity as to how difficult you find it, I find it fairly easy to do others I know find it nigh on impossible.

I like the look of the vintage catches and is in keeping with the look of the car.
No paint damage from the catches themselves and makes it very easy to remove/fit the bonnet. The negative is, like many things on the morgan three wheeler, it hasn’t been very well executed and the bonnet does move forward during use.
There is a rubber pad on the front corner of the bonnet which fell off and had to be re-glued and there is a strip of helicopter tape that the bonnet rests on which is starting to come away as well and will need replacing. It really needs some sort of locating pin and then it would work very well.

I had the vintages catches fitted from new. Done 1000 miles and no damage to the paint, the movement is minimal. The only place is does rub lightly is at the front where rubber pads are fitted and thats easily solved with a small piece of stone protection material or sticky back felt stuck to the bodywork at that point.

I am going along with Obie and Glenn. No damage with vintage, although it does wiggle around a bit. The locating pin is a great suggestion. My rubber pads are always trying to come off and so far have not lost one, but it is something to be mindful every time the bonnet is removed.
My bonnet tries to wander around toward the rear exposing part of the forward rubber pads. The glue holding them could be better. I think they fail because they are so close to the hot cylinders.

Thanks all - worth knowing as it sounds like the rubber pads are an essential fit if I have this upgrade done!
Just need to work out if it will suit the car now.

I use the G56 springs on the Duz fastenings and find they work well, I like the original clean look.