When I was a younger man (kid) , Me and a buddy were driving a ' 65 Midget
on an empty stretch of freeway. The road was slightly down hill. We decided
to open the throttle (WFO) , and see what she could do. The car was in 4th
gear and the motor was red lined when all of a sudden the car exploded. The
noise sounded like a shot gun blast. The bonnet had come open and despite
the safety catch, folded backwards across the windshield and whacked each of
us in the head. The bonnet had a crease and two head shaped dents in it.
Despite the lack of forward visibility and by the grace of God, I was able
to slow the car down and pull it over to the side of the road. If I had a
box Sprite I would look into bonnet straps like the ones that Daniel
mentioned in his post. With a Bugeye I suspect it's a non issue.
Happy New Year,
Mark Hanna
AN5
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ryan James Irwin [SMTP:rirwin@iusb.edu]
> Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2000 11:27 PM
> To: Spridget List
> Subject: Re: Safety Check
>
> Frank Clarici wrote:
> > > .....
> > > For your own safety and piece of mind, grab the front lip of
> > > your bonnet,
> > > wiggle it vigorously from side to side and up and down, see if
> > > it unlatches.
>
> Don't really have that problem with my 61, but I have hood pins. Don't
> really care for them, planning on reinstalling a regular bonnet latch but
> it's obviosly not on the top of my priority list. Any opinions (I'm sure
> there are) on hood pins vs. standard latches? Safety only, please. We
> all know that hood pins are horrible for aesthetics.
>
> I've heard stories about the hood flying up and destroying the windshield,
> frame, part of the roof, and other various parts of my dad's '75 Camaro.
> That was back when he had the Camaro though. 75-79. And he was driving
> away from an accident, so he put the damage on the wreck totals. Some
> accountability legalities. worked for him. Enough about a camaro i
> wasn't alive to see though.
>
> -Ryan Irwin
> '61 Midget
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