Center section bonnet Warp

[Francis]

Hello Guys and Galls,

After completing my S2 OTS and driving it for about 1000 miles, I noticed that the center bonnet section warped just bellow the vents. When the car got cool, the warp faded. With time a permanent crease lingered on.

Now I have a kink on each sides that won't go away.

I think this is due to the thinning of the metal when I took it back to bear metal during the restoration.

My drastic solution would be to replace the center section with a new aftermarket one, but will it be thick enough and will it fit just like the one I now have...

Fitting that one was a few dozen hours... Not counting the possibility of a tone difference in the paint if I replace that one...

Any advice before I do something stupid?

Francis

[265bhp]

I would leave it, and enjoy the car, depending on the colour of your car it could be tricky to match the paint, possibly the entire bonnet would need metal work to get the right panel to panel joints and then it's a full bonnet respray.....then there is the fact that the new panel won't fit easily so you will be into countless hours of adjustment...all of which is stopping you enjoying driving the car you have just built

Wait until you have a mass of stone chips and other wear and tear then think about doing it...Thinking about this a little more....is it not possible to get a new section of metal let into your 2 flat areas...the work needed to do that will be less than fettling an entire new centre section...you could carefully dismantle the bonnet, get 2 local repairs done, then repaint just that centre section, then assemble.....

Either way drive the car for the rest of this summer and have fun

Jonathan

[Francis]

Thanks Jonathan,

I plan on doing this in November when the season is over. I need to plan for it in advance if I order the part.

An alloy panel costs 1250 pounds plus transport and paint.
Fetting time, risk of poor result and possible scratches in the process are also elements to take into consideration...

Thanks for your input!

Francis