MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Straigthen or replace bonnet/hood?

On holiday in Scotland a few days ago an impatient idiot (not a Scot - a Swiss!) in a hire car backed into our MGB at a petrol station and bent the bonnet and grille.

As you can see from the picture - if it works - the damage is not that extensive, but the front edge is pressed back 1-2 centimetres. I have an original bonnet in aluminium, and people keep telling me that aluminium bonnets are close to impossible to straigthen.

A new aluminium bonnet seems to be the obvious solution, but I have a feeling that the new bonnets are not shaped corrrectly, so that the dreaded gaps at the sides between the replacement grille and bonnet are even bigger with these than with the original bonnets. (Not so sorry about the grille - I have wanted to replace that a long time!)

I am obviously not paying for this, so for once I donīt care about the cost. But before I send my claim to the insurance company, what option should I go for: Insist on having my old bonnet straightened, replace it with a new aluminium bonnet or replace it with a new and stronger, but heavier steel bonnet?

What would you do?

Tore

Tore

Sorry for your incidident....really frustrates you, doesn't it?!?!

In my opinion, you best bet is sourcing an original, used bonnet (either steel or aluminum). As you state, some of the new bonnets (aluminum or steel)indeed have problems in fitment.

I would not lose sleep over aluminum or steel....sounds as though your MGB is a true tourer rather than track performer...the weight difference between the two, in my opinion, is insignificant in affecting performance for this type of driving.

FWIW..YOMV...

rick

rick ingram

Tore

I would stick to the correct aluminium bonnet for yor early car.

I dont have any experience of the new aluminium bonnets fit but I would be inclined to go for a new aluminium one if you are not paying.
Finding a good secondhand aluminium bonnet may take some time. The aluminium bonnets are prone to the hinge mountings being distorted and other damage as the 'newest' secondhand one will be over 35 years old.

Rob

R J Collier

Tore

Your existing bonnet has already been filled and is probably repairable. i would still try for a new one off the insurance though.

Rob
R J Collier

Tore,
I repaired a damaged ally bonnet with similar but more extensive damage than yours.It is an extremely difficult repair procedure because of the stiffening panel below the damaged area.If you do repair,make sure you use a very competent and trustworthy panel beater or you may have a lot of filler in a bad place.Being ally,a lot of normal panel procedures for difficult places won't work.By the way, someone is selling ally bonnets in the classifieds on this site,it might be worth a call if you haven't seen it yet.
Best of luck, Regards Peter
Peter Jones

The positives are that the other party stopped, and was insured, in the UK with it's feral state funded underclass it could have been worse. I would insist on being put back in the position you were before this happened regardless of the cost, and sue in the small claims court if you meet any foot dragging. An ally bonnet is part of the charm of a MkI MGB, they can be repaired Trevor here at Hazlemere Bodyshop told me that he has done one in the past, in that case they had to seperate the skin and frame, straighten both out then weld them back together, and it was not cheap ( he also works on ally panelled Aston Martins.)Is the grille an aftermarket one? If so just insist on the same again. If you need any help with sueing (it is cheap and easy ) let me know.
Finally, I hope this did not spoil your holiday too much and I'm relieved it was not a UK citizen that "welcomed" you like this.
Stan Best

Tore,
I think your accindent took place in Scotland.Please be aware that the limit for claims is Ģ750 in the Sheriffs court and I think your repairs and costs could be well above that amout.I have used the small claims court in England to get satisfaction from an insurance company for an incident invoving one of my MG's.I agree with Stan that small claims are a useful and effective mechanism but beware of the legal system,its inhabitant are on a par with the feral underclass, feeding from the legal aid trough.
regards Peter
Peter Jones

At last I am back on the web again - have been away on holiday for a few more days, and the Internet connection did not work! Thanks a lot for all your replies and advise. I will get in touch with the insurance company tomorrow, and see what happens!

Tore
Tore

Short update:

Very happy with proceedings so far. The insurance company told me to find a workshop that is used to work on this type of car, and inform them about the cost, as I will not have to pay anything anyway. The hire car that caused the damage belongs to Avis. The nice insurance lady told me she did not want to use any of their regular workshops, as they would probably not know what to do!

The workshop I chose will first try to straigthen the bonnet. They once sucessfully straigthened an aluminium bonnet on an Aston Martin.

If it has to be changed, I have found there are three kinds of MGB bonnet available: A steel bonnet made in Taiwan, a steel bonnet made by British Heritage, and an aluminium bonnet also made by Heritage. Needless to say, under the circumstances I will go for the last one if it has to be changed.

Tore
Tore

This thread was discussed between 22/07/2007 and 03/08/2007

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now