To properly repair a bugeye bonnet well requires a skillfull panel beater.
It is
not an easy task to get excellent shape and fit. I'd try and find the best
panel
beater I could find, one that has rave reviews.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: YourName <jburruso@pacbell.net>
To: Mike Gigante <mikeg@vicnet.net.au>
Cc: YourName <jburruso@pacbell.net>; spridgets@autox.team.net
<spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, June 19, 1998 2:55 AM
Subject: Re: BugEye Bonnet
>Thanks Mike.
>>From the responses I got from folks who have used fiberglass bonnets It
seems
>that virtually no one is satisfied with the fit and finish of what's there
out
>on the market. This brings up plan "B".
>Does anyone out there have a success story about redoing a steel bonnet.
The
>one I have is repairable but it is tweaked. Frank Clarici gave me some
good
>tips about strengthening the bonnet structure but the big question is...how
do
>you regain the original contours of the bonnet? Do you fit it to the car
or
>do you bang out the general shape and then do the fine work with the bonnet
mounted?
>Thanks In Advance
>Joe Burruso
>
>Mike Gigante wrote:
>>
>> Well, I have yet to see a good fitting fibreglass bonnet for the
>> bugeye. they may exist, but they have eluded me.
>>
>> I bought mine from Mini Mania. It has a reasonable exterior finish
>> although it is pretty wobbly and required a lot of work and bondo
>> to make it smooth enough for a nice paint finish. Th big problem
>> was fit. It seems a little low at the front (in the area between the
>> headlight bowls) and the side 'wings' or quarter panels stick out
>> about 4" on either side and are a little too shallow (leaving a gap
>> between the bonnet and the sills (rockers). The top section
>> around the scuttle was too flat. It doesn't come with any radiator
>> shrouding, so you should plan do do something about that too.
>>
>> MM is not alone, the local ones have problems of similar magnitude.
>>
>> If you do go for a f/glass bonnet, be prepared to spend lots of hours
>> on finish and fitting and be prepared for a less than perfect fit.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: YourName <jburruso@pacbell.net>
>> To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
>> Date: Thursday, June 18, 1998 8:33 AM
>> Subject: BugEye Bonnet
>>
>> >I would like to hear from anyone who has successfully installed a
>> fiberglass
>> >bonnet on a BugEye. I'd like to know who manufactured it and how the
>> >shrouding, hinges and securing hardware were installed. Thanks in
advance.
>> >
>> >Joe Burruso
>> >60 BugEye
>> >AN5L26473
>> >
>
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