MG T-ABC

During restoration of my TC I found these brackets...
...one each side, attached to the inner surface of the bonnet (hood) side panels.

After removal and derusting they look like this....
I'm pretty sure they're not original, but they're identical and obviously produced with tooling. With the bonnet fitted, the brackets face holes in the scuttle shown here...
Their purpose is unclear but I'm surmising that they constitute some form of security latch to prevent unauthorised raising of the bonnet. I'm guessing the holes in the scuttle will have originally accepted some form of lockable cam latch operated from inside the car, the cam engaging the slot in the bracket when the lock was operated.

Has anyone seen this feature before or can anyone confirm its purpose?

Never seen one like this, but some sort of handle on a peg that turns, as you propose, to engage the bracket. Jaguar XKE-like, on both sides of the engine compartment.

The "thickness" of the bracket keeps the mechanism from pulling the bonnet side in so close as to deform the louver's by the locking action, as well as other functional purposes. The four holes to mount the bracket would show up on the outside of the car, of course.

Too bad the rest of the device is missing. Things like this I would consider "period" correct modifications, like a luggage rack, tube shocks, or a supercharger on the engine. If it (lock) was pre-1970 then all the better, and if it was complete, I would leave it on, unless if the restoration is meant to be a show winner, or you just did not like it.

Or maybe it's just me who thinks this sort of thing is an interesting part of the car's History?

Duncan M wrote:Never seen one like this, but some sort of handle on a peg that turns, as you propose, to engage the bracket. Jaguar XKE-like, on both sides of the engine compartment.

The "thickness" of the bracket keeps the mechanism from pulling the bonnet side in so close as to deform the louver's by the locking action, as well as other functional purposes. The four holes to mount the bracket would show up on the outside of the car, of course.

Too bad the rest of the device is missing. Things like this I would consider "period" correct modifications, like a luggage rack, tube shocks, or a supercharger on the engine. If it (lock) was pre-1970 then all the better, and if it was complete, I would leave it on, unless if the restoration is meant to be a show winner, or you just did not like it.

Or maybe it's just me who thinks this sort of thing is an interesting part of the car's History?

The brackets were on the car when I bought it in 1966 (this restoration has been 'pending' for some time!) although even then, as far as I remember, the 'mating' parts in the scuttle were missing. Still, as you suggest Duncan, I'm tempted to refit them. It will be relatively simple to fit some sort of admittedly more modern latch to the scuttle and they can then serve their original purpose. If I don't then I'll have to fill the holes in the scuttle and the four in the bonnet sides and these again appear to have been very professionally produced, being precisely positioned and correctly countersunk to accept 4BA screws. I'm not too precious about originality or 'Concours' standard and as you say, these features are now part of the car's long history. Thanks for your input.

As anti theft they could have been somewhat functional, though now incomplete. Or maybe the person could never get the bonnets to latch shut?

That's probably what they are, but an additional latch is completely unnecessary. While I do share a love for history, I also figure that just because a previous owner changed my car, that doesn't mean his changes were beneficial. I'd leave them off. Just one more thing to rattle loose and the holes on the outside will be an eyesore.

To be honest that looks like an easy way to get ones bonnet bent into a dorito esque configuration when someone forgets to actuate the secret latch!

Kameron M wrote:To be honest that looks like an easy way to get ones bonnet bent into a dorito esque configuration when someone forgets to actuate the secret latch!

You have a point Kameron!. I suspect this particular mod was made to the car early in its life. When the car was new it would have seen regular daily use (few people could afford two cars in those days). Parked on a quiet (by today's standards) street it would have been a tempting target for a thief. If the then owner had also fitted some means of preventing under dash hot-wiring, then when the prospective crim found he couldn't raise the bonnet either, he might have been tempted to give up......or alternatively vent his rage by giving the bonnet the dorito-esque profile you so colourfully describe!

Anyway, I have decided to refit the brackets and mount a modern replacement for what I presume was the latch - if only to show what some owner considered necessary in an earlier time. It won't however get much use...

My favorite method of simple car security is as follows (not as applicable on an MG because of the lack of this, but such could be corrected)

Wire a relay between the contacts of the starter Relay and the headlights such that the connection is interrupted unless the high beams are on. Alternately, any other accessory not prone to being on at such a time (foglights, for example or so on)

This way, there is no "secret button" and instead one's ability to start the car relies simply on activating said accessory and turning the key, but most thieves will not get that far into diagnosis of such a device before giving up, and unlike other devices its existence is completely transparent.

A friend of a friend did this to an older honda, and was confident enough that he left the car unlocked with a key in the ignition while parked overnight. It worked for a while, but then someone took a sizable hammer and crowbar to the dashboard, presumably in frustration or while trying to find the secret button.

Not sure it's a good idea to start your car with the high beams on.

A manual gearbox will thwart most would-be joyriders. And for those who can drive a stick, the operation of the hand brake will surely deter them. And that's assuming they can figure out how to start the thing! I'm not worried at all about thieves because there's no reason to steal a TC. I'm more concerned with teenagers.

like Mr. Bean, I take the steering wheel off when parked longer or outside overnight. As I have to remove it anyway to get in and out, no sweat and with a quick release clamp from my mountainbike. piece of cake;-)

Nifty idea with the quick release clamp on the steering wheel, Dirk. Got a picture of it?

Bob Brennan
S. Freeport, ME
TC7794EXU

download not easy but give it another try!

This one went OK, hope you can see it.

Oops this one went after also, surprise, surprise

The holes are already in the side bonnets, so no harm re-fitting, even if the locking pegs prove elusive. I got talked in to the quick release when Dirk mentioned it a few years back, and though I have not yet found one as slick, I do have a good quality one in place. I had to use a couple of washers to clear the hub. Only thing I would add is if you have arthritis or something in the hands, you might have difficulty locking (or unlocking) it down tight. For me it works great.

Locking side bonnets, check. Disappearing steering wheel, check. Anything else?
Thanks for the pics, Dirk.

Bob Brennan
S, Freeport, ME

Looking at the quick release steering wheel, you obviously have had to leave out the sprung C clip on top of the column originally put there to stop the steering wheel coming off. A certain well known personality here in the UK told the tale of this being missing on a TC of his in the 60's and he ended up holding the steering wheel but it had come off the column!

I take the rotor arm out when I leave the car in a public place and leave the scallywags to work out the correct one! Mind you, I used to then wrap it in my hanky and I once lost it when in central London on a Saturday night when I blew my nose. I had to sleep in the car and find a motor factors the following morning! Fortunately this was in the early 80's when original Minis were still common.

Julian

Yes, Julian, corrct. It certainly is one of risks connected with removing the circlip. Knowing this only too good, I always check before I start by pulling hard to check if the wheel is locked.
Being the only solution for me because of health problems to still get in my TC, for me this is an acceptable risk
No pain, no gain!

Are any of us still so thin that the wheel could come off with our stomach in the way?

Most certainly not me!!!!