Hi thereHi Tom
Technique I have used before - Undo the bonnet hinge securing nuts from underneath the vehicle, you should then be able to partially lift the bonnet from front end, place suitably sized wooden block between bottom of bonnet and front crossmember to create a large enough void. Project torch light in direction of bonnet catch so you can see what you are doing, find a suitably long slim pole, such as a broom handle and point in direction of bonnet catch and try to pop bonnet open from under the bonnet.
Thanks Brian. Noted.Hi Tom, it's a bugger when this happens, and what you will probably find is that the spring on the catch has become unhooked from its usual position and is now hooked over the bonnet pin. After you have undone the hinge bolts try pushing the bonnet towards the windscreen as you get an assistant to lift the bonnet. The repro bonnet catches now have a different design, where the spring is retained in a small hole, and can't move it's position. Good luck, regards Brian.
Will give that a try. Thanks for info.Hi Tomcat, have you actually just tried to hook your fingers into the top of the bonnet and lift it upwards?
Sounds silly, I know, but if the spring has slipped off its catch, there's nothing holding the bonnet down. It's happened to me 4-5 times in the past and now I know to just lift it upwards.
BrianHi Tom, it's a bugger when this happens, and what you will probably find is that the spring on the catch has become unhooked from its usual position and is now hooked over the bonnet pin. After you have undone the hinge bolts try pushing the bonnet towards the windscreen as you get an assistant to lift the bonnet. The repro bonnet catches now have a different design, where the spring is retained in a small hole, and can't move it's position. Good luck, regards Brian.
BrianHi Tom, this is my bonnet catch, as you can see the spring is held in place by a hole, is your catch like this? I assumed it's a repro one as I've seen them before where a hook is used to retain the spring. I've checked the Melun Retro and de Franzose catalogues, and Melun appear to do one, but I'm not sure if its the same, and De Franzose only seem to do one for the very early cars. Maybe someone on here can add something to your query. Sorry I cant be more helpful,
Regards Brian. View attachment 23951
Pictures mr-reno sent me as a guide.Tom, i would be interested to see how you lock it into position, will you just fold the tab around the spring or do you have a more ingenious method in mind