Looks like the bonnet did indeed suffer some minor blunt impact trauma around the center near the bottom so I decided to fabricate a simple buck out of pine (wanted it to be somewhat forgiving and not leave any hard creases in the metal). First step was scribing the ideal shape onto the wood using the slam panel as my guide.
Buck was fabricated using this line and also needed to include the angle the bonnet makes with respect to vertical (bonnet is not vertical at the bottom front). After some fiddling I came up with the following and temporarily screwed it to a work bench.
This setup allowed me to gently tap the metal at the front of the bonnet into a shape that is closer to ideal. After a couple iterations, taking things very slowly, I wound up with a much better fit.
Still needs some work but much closer now. I think I will call it a day however- getting too hot and humid in the shop now. Temps are supposed to be up around 92F (33C) maybe not as bad as my friends in Europe and the UK but pretty hot for Chicago!
Next project- 1965 Austin Cooper 1275 S
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Gary Schulz
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 1024
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:06 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL
Re: Next project- 1965 Austin Cooper 1275 S
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