Section : Bonnet

Bonnet gas springs

Posted By : Malcolm Huxtable, 23-Nov-2002, 10:36pm

Does anyone have any info on fitting gas springs to the bonnet of a Spitfire. Gas springs are those black things that help the hatchback rise on modern cars.

I have seen a couple of web sites in America that have done the mod but the gas springs that they have used were from American cars and I can't find the equivalent units in the UK.

If anyone can throw some light on some suitable gas springs from a UK car I would be most grateful.

Followups :

Bonnet gas springs

Posted By : Stephen Airey, 25-Nov-2002, 02:33pm

I have also seen these fitted to two cars here in Holland but don't know how it was done. I too would be interested in any information anyone might have.
- Bonnet gas springs
  
  Posted By : John Muggleton, 25-Nov-2002, 03:35pm
  
  There was an article in the Courier about this (Ref page 53 Issue 205 Jul 97. Back copies are available.
  Give me a ring
  
  John Muggleton
  TSSC HQ
  - Bonnet gas springs
    
    Posted By : Malcolm Huxtable, 27-Nov-2002, 11:43pm
    
    Thanks John for telling me about the info in the back issue, I dug out my archive copy and had a read. I have been donated a set of gas springs from a Maestro (I think). I have had a quick look and they seem to be perfect, just a bracket needs to be made similar to the one in the back issue. More details soon if anyone wants them.
    - Bonnet gas springs
      
      Posted By : Philip Willcocks, 13-Dec-2002, 04:36pm
      
      I fitted a pair from a Ford escort hatchback, they work very well and balance about right.
      - Bonnet gas springs
        
        Posted By : Graham Stolady, 04-Jan-2003, 09:07pm
        
        Gas springs from a 1994 Rover 214/6 series hatch back will fit Spit bonnet, they will fit onto the original ball ends from the donor car that are bolted into one of the holes already in the inside of the wheelarch.
        
        You will need 2 more ball end fittings to bolt to two small brackets that will have to be made and fitted/bolted to the quarter valance brackets (Mk IV Spit).
        
        Extra re-inforcing plates can be made to fit the wheelarch mounting point to strengthen it if desired.
        
        This is the way I went and I didn't have to drill any holes in the car.
        
        Bonnet gas springs
        
        Posted By : Stephen Airey, 30-Jan-2003, 01:21pm
        
        Thanks to Graham Stolady for the details on how he fitted gas dampers. I have also found someone supplying kits! Anyone interested should check out the website http://www.rsi-carparts.nl, they are on sale as 'gasdempers' for 68 Euros (about 40 pounds)
        
        Bonnet gas springs
        
        Posted By : David James, 09-Feb-2003, 00:14am
        
        40 quid??? I got a pair for a fiver from my local scrappie. thanks for the info Graham
        
        Bonnet gas springs
        
        Posted By : Simon Morgan, 11-Feb-2003, 00:35am
        
        i am interested in fitting some gas struts to my spitfire,but i am unsure where to locate them.Any advice or even any pictures would be a great help. si.kat@tiscali.co.uk
        
        Bonnet gas springs
        
        Posted By : Graham Stolady, 11-Feb-2003, 06:14pm
        
        I'm hoping to putdetails on the Norfolk T.S.S.C. web page in the next week or so, this will include a photo of installation.
    - Bonnet gas springs
      
      Posted By : Stephen Airey, 14-Jan-2003, 01:34pm
      
      I wasn't a member then and so don't have the back issue. If anyone could email me a scanned version or some detailed description of how they have done it I would appreciate it. My email is: Stephen.Airey@esa.int