Bonnet identification

[TGN]

Having trawled through so much info on bonnets, Chuck at MM says he won’t touch an aftermarket bonnet or have one in his shop.

So how would you be able to tell if some, any or all the parts on your bonnet are original, reproduction, new old stock or patten parts.

My bonnet alignment has always been shocking and I’ve got to the stage it can’t be ignored forever, I’ve now opened an enormous can of worms.

[mgcjag]

Very difficult to know if your not the original owner....take it to a specialist like Hutsons for them to fit and replace whatever is needed.....if your not a bodywork guy then you will spend a long time working on it....Steve

[Heuer]

This topic covers what we know about bonnet originality: viewtopic.php?p=137169#p137169

[TGN]

David that only appears to focus on the significance of very early bonnets. That can’t be all the knowledge.
I was hoping there may be others tales of woe.

[Heuer]

Not sure what more you were expecting! The same tooling was used for the 3.8 cars but as those tools wore out the panels gradually changed shape. So a new repair wing from Jaguar in 1965 would not be a good fit on an original bonnet without fettling.

You can be fairly sure the bonnet is original if it still has the body number on the o/s bonnet strengthener, but no guarantee:

[TGN]

I’m fairly sure my bonnet isn’t original hence looking to decipher what I’m trying to make a silk purse out of.

It’s like a manual that says reassembly is the reverse of removal, not helpful if it was assembled incorrectly by the last ape.

I’m not fortunate enough to have bought an unmolested original car, just one that’s been restored at a previous time by someone well meaning and fond of the phrase “that’ll do”

[bitsobrits]

Your comments resemble my second E-type, though it was drivable and nominally presentable. Everything that had been done to that car (body/paint/mechanicals) had been done poorly and/or very much on the cheap. I finally sold it out of frustration and purchased another that had been unused for a decade+, but was largely unmolested, and importantly had no body/paint issues with which to contend. Took me about 15 months to get #3 in fine running fettle, but saved me years of effort that #2 would have taken to turn it into a reliable and presentable 'driver'.

[TGN]

Mine has always been very drivable but far far from presentable, fortunately for me it’s not rusty.

I’ve discovered the root cause of my bonnet alignment issues, but unfortunately previous attempts of putting a square peg into a round hole need me to address multiple issues. Not least of which will be adding some extra metal to the rear of the bonnet.

[mgcjag]

Maybee you should post photos of your problem....some may be able to help..eg there are hinge extensions available....Steve