Hood/Bonnet latches and handles

[ACademic]

What other cars (AC or otherwise) were the original hood latch/handle assemblies also installed on?

It appears that all of the aftermarket replica hood (bonnet) latch assemblies have a raised (not flush with the bodywork) eye-shaped pillar or pedestal, while pictures of original Cobras that I have studied show a flush-with-the-hood round pillar/pedestal. I'd like to learn if the original style are being produced by anyone, or what I need to look for to find originals?

Thanks,

Steve

[mickmate]

Good spotting Steve, if you want correct plates they are getting hard to find. Hard to find stuff................I make ;-)

[ACademic]

Nick, getting these 'plates' that you speak of is one thing. But most of the bases are molded and have a built-in step to them. Do you grind down the existing bases (to remove that step) and then flush mount the round plate to them?

Were there other cars besides AC models that used these specific latches? MG? Bristol?

[mickmate]

No the step sits on the plates.

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by mickmate

No the step sits on the plates.

Nick, thanks again for responding (your knowledge is respected).

Another issue with any conversion might be that the round plate is actually slightly smaller in overall diameter than the more common "eye shaped" step/base. Thus a mark (to the paint) on either side of the round plate might be the result. Kirkham owners wouldn't be having this conversation.

It would still be nice to learn what other applications the original latches were installed on? I can't imagine that the supplier to AC just sold them to AC?!?

[KevinW]

cant help you with other applications,
but i got mine (the type you want with a circular base) from Hawk cars:

Hawk Cars - Competition Series Pricing

- they will ship international.

Cobra Restorers might stock them, but i havent checked.

[ACademic]

Thank you, Kevin. I will look into that.

[Clayboy]

Steve,
A picture is worth a thousand words... is this the original style that you are talking about?
Bob

[FWB]

Originally Posted by ACademic

Nick, thanks again for responding (your knowledge is respected).

Another issue with any conversion might be that the round plate is actually slightly smaller in overall diameter than the more common "eye shaped" step/base. Thus a mark (to the paint) on either side of the round plate might be the result. Kirkham owners wouldn't be having this conversation.

It would still be nice to learn what other applications the original latches were installed on? I can't imagine that the supplier to AC just sold them to AC?!?

probably Wilmont-Breeden was the supplier

[ACademic]

Bob and FWB are on it. Thanks, gentlemen!

[KevinW]

Originally Posted by Clayboy

Steve,
A picture is worth a thousand words... is this the original style that you are talking about?
Bob

thats what mine look like!

[Clayboy]

Thanks KevinW,
To clarify, you ordered them separately from Hawk Cars for your Crendon? Did the "eye" shaped ones come with your car originally?
Bob

[ACademic]

KevinW, any chance you can also take a caliper to your round bases and provide a measurement on same? You can provide in millimeters...I can go with metric or SAE. Also, an answer to Bob's question would be helpful, too.

Thank you!
-Steve

[KevinW]

Hi guys, sorry I missed this thread.

I am not at home tonight, but happy to take a measurement and post up if you can wait a few days.

being an anorak, I noticed that most replicas have the eye-shaped base, and most CSX cars have the round base. So when I ordered my crendon, i got Hawk to supply the bonnet klacthes which i then forwarded on to John Kerr at Crendon when he was building up my kit. He then fitted these for me.

It maybe wortgh adding that i think original ali bodied cars have a budget lock under each latch, rather than the tongue or lobe often attached to the latch shaft used on replicas. My car has the usual lobe to secure the bonnet in the closed position.

Kevin

[Clayboy]

Kevin,
Steve and I are also anoraks, so it's all good. LOL

I received an email from Gerry at Hawk this morning and he states that the "Base OD is about 1 3/8". What he didn't answer was my question about the diameter of the mounting holes, which is critical to making an easy change from one style to another. If you could provide that information it would be very helpful

Bob

[LMH]

Just to clarify, Jerry at Hawk Cars has the correct latches as per original cars?
Larry

[mickmate]

Steve they are 1.38"

[cobrakiwi]

Kirkham's 1.42, CSX 4000 1.225 these are from both cars in my shop at this time. It is interesting all the different measurements, any body have there original csx 2000 3000 that could share the same measurement?

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by mickmate

Steve they are 1.38"

Originally Posted by cobrakiwi

Kirkham's 1.42, CSX 4000 1.225 these are from both cars in my shop at this time.

Nick, thank you.

Kiwi, I trust your digital caliper is as golden as Nick's. Wow, what a range.

In the end, I still believe that no matter which ones I end up with, I'm still dealing with some paint work (and possibly some minor bodywork) during any swap. Good knowledge to have beforehand. Thank you, all!

[KevinW]

Sorry for the tardy response on this, others have probably answered already, I remember Gerry muttering something to me about original latches being hard to get hold off, but i cant remember if he makes these up or if they are OEM items - Im sure he'd be happy to talk to others. But for the record,

on my latches (which came from Gerry Hawkridge at Hawk Cars):

the base is 36.2mm diameter (approx 1.42 inches);
the external diameter of the handle shaft is 18.6mm (0.72 inches);
the distance between the two screw holes in the base is approx 27.2mm - this is only accurate to about a mm or so, as i measured this between the centre of the crosses on the cross-head screws.

Any other measurements, let me know, as I'm relaxing/working on the cobra project now before going back to salaried stress in a week or so.