Ok, im a bit stuck on this one.
My plan is to make a full fibreglass front end incorporating lights.
I would like to have it hinge at the front at the bottom, ala E-type:



The problem i am having is how to have it hinge without hitting the ground when fully open.
I could make it removable but dont fancy the idea of trying to shift 2m x 1m fibreglass on my own.
My dad had a great idea of cutting it down the middle and hinging it at the bottom on both sides but as cool as that would look, seem like alot of work.
Anyone got any other ideas?

[Edited on 1-6-09 by speedyxjs]

I used to have a triumph herald vitesse that hinged at the front. It might be worth having a look at those mechanics?

you just need to get the hinge as far up the front as possible. it may mean cutting a lot out the bottom of the nose cone though

why not hinge the bonnet where it meets the nose cone, tho i,m not sure if thats the layout of bodywork you are using.

andy

quote:

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Originally posted by handyandy
why not hinge the bonnet where it meets the nose cone, tho i,m not sure if thats the layout of bodywork you are using.

andy

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How about allowing it to hit the ground, but on the bottom of an overrider or somthing where the scratches either couldn't be seen, or the bit that gets scratched is sacrificial, or easily replaceable?
Also the 'stop' doesnt have to be the ground, it could be a wire/cable, or a rod sliding through a hole.
Last point is the position of the pivot/fulcrum in space. The more forward and higher it is the less the drop of the bonnet, ie if it is at the very front and quite high, the bonnet may lift away from the ground!
On my cobra I designed big U-shaped hinges to lift the bonnet like a kitchen unit door.
Good luck.

Dutton Phaeton hinges at the front, good system too. As Blake says, just need to get the hinge in the right place. If necessary you could use a more complex hinge to push the bottom front up and uot at the same time. A look at an old fashioned convertible hood mechanism will put you on the right track

John

the problem with that jag, is the hing point appears to be just in front of the wheels. well, its not a problem, as it looks very good, but if the hinge was like, in the front grill, the front wouldn't drop down at all.
you need to find somewhere in the middle

or, as said, some kind of ali or stainless plate which can be replaced

a couple of brackets a bit like they use on lambo doors or sofa beds??

quote:

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Originally posted by DaveFJ
a couple of brackets a bit like they use on lambo doors or sofa beds??

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The nose cone on my Robin Hood hinges forward. I used a couple of old gas rams to stop it hitting the floor. They are adjustable ones from RS Components that had most of the gas let out so they were perfect. A pair of old worn gas struts would do the job.

[Edited on 1/6/09 by robinj66]
Rescued attachment PA190011.JPG

speedy,
I've hinged my MK's nose cone onto the bottom rail at the front. It's prevented from hitting the ground by a highly technical mechanism - a loop of nylon cord.

With a bit of experimenting you should be able to rig a double-link hinge (as implied above) to allow your composite nosecone/bonnet to open far enough for adequate access - and a stay (or even tailgate struts) should be fairly easy to incorporate.
Just my .02c
John.

Im not far away from completing mine like this. my hinge point is about 2" infront of the bottom chassis rail on a couple of spherical bearings. Ill post some pics in a couple of weeks when its done but check google for wcm ultralight

Take a look at a Series 4 Lotus 7

I haven't had time to read this whole thread yet, so I might be missing the point but ...
this car hinges forwards. Somewhere in that site they show that they use small gate hinges I think
http://www.angelfire.com/biz6/stalkerv6/

speedy,

All you need is a couple of cheap B&Q hinges. laminate in correct place at bottom of nosecose, the drill a couple of holes in lower rail for screws.

Deimos has been like that for about 5 years.

Sure there's some pics somewhere

ATB

Simon

[img]
Engine from offside [/img]

ATB

Simon

Fozzie's car has a piano hinge down the middle, classic car style.

Click me for a big picture

Ill try and get some photos of my arrangement tonight for the vindicator bonnet. To stop is hitting the ground Ive used a couple of lengths nylon covered wire rope. Got some left over if anyone needs some.

Cheers guys.
I was going to make a fozzie-esque bonnet but have no room for a bar down the middle to hinge it on

Here's my bonnet. It hinges on two stainless steel garden fence hinges. The long part of the hinge is reinforced with some stainless still strips to make is U-shaped. It hinges relatively far in front of the chassis.

I'm changing back to the standard separate nose and bonnet though. Makes life easier (but my bonnet will hinge on scuttle).







[Edited on 2/6/09 by Mave]

Cool, thanks guys
I think iv got enough to plan it now