Hi guys,

My car has come with some lockable bonnet catches/latches on it.. it is a key lock on the outside, with a 19mm barrel which runs through the bodywork and has a catch on the edge of the chassis then..

You can get a glimpse below or the actual catch...






Its a real problem because i cant have the bonnet off when the car is running/ warming up without killing the ignition because the key needs to be kept on the ignition key or else i will loose it!

So can you guy show what what kind of latches/catches you guys have used? and i want to replace it with something that will look tidy and either cover or reuse the 19mm hole which is already there..

Any suggestions? or hints of where i could look online for a selection of catches?

Why not use a carabina type keyring then you can detach the bonnet key while the key is still in the ignition.

Its just also for the fact that the car is used as a trackcar pretty much full time now, and if there was to be a fire or a problem in the pitlane its just a real hassle, not to mind difficult to fubble about with racing gloves on to get the bonnet off in a rush..

something similar with a barrel would be perfect but one that doesnt need a key or that could be turned by hand..

has anyone seen anything like this? the car is still the original gelcoat and i want to keep it that way so not really an option to fit something else and fill the holes and paint the bonnet.

quote:

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Originally posted by Davegtst
Why not use a carabina type keyring then you can detach the bonnet key while the key is still in the ignition.

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hmm i dont find it ideal to be fubbling about.. some over centre fasteners would be best i suppose and find some way or filling the barrel holes with a plastic gromet..

anyone else any other ideas?

Easiest way is get 4 keys and stick one in each lock permanently.

quote:

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Originally posted by gavin174
Easiest way is get 4 keys and stick one in each lock permanently.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Benzo

quote:

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Originally posted by gavin174
Easiest way is get 4 keys and stick one in each lock permanently.

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until you bump into it and break a key off in the lock?

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We used to buy these type of barrel locks from a place called 'Western body hardware' and they used to sell the same barrel size without a lock and just a small T handle that you turn instead.

Might be worth seeing if the company still exists ???

Thats exactly what im after really, something to replace the lock barrel with a T handle..

I will look those buys up now on google..

aerocatches - lockable, but you can unlock, remove the key and still keep the bonnet latched closed.

look cool too.

quote:

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Originally posted by loggyboy
aerocatches - lockable, but you can unlock, remove the key and still keep the bonnet latched closed.

look cool too.

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Aerocatches for me - easy to fit and even better when painted

yeah i think aero catches are the solution...

now where is the cheapest place to get them?

Options for what you have

link

Cheapest I have found for Aerocatches is Rally Design.

Beware there are some fakes out there on Ebay and the likes. (Check out the aerocatch web site).

i think these could do my job and they would save cutting and messing around..



Change the Barrels too those..

But.. that website only does minimum order of 50!

Try these guys, I got my rivets from them and they were v.helpful

http://southco.zygology.com/default.aspx?hid=7315

That photo is exactly what i was thinking, if you get no joy with western body hardware, try 'Lowe & fletcher' they sell locks & latches too, well they did in the nineties when i used to be in a trade that needed this sort of thing.

Fill your boots.....
Linky to RS catches

Arsebiscuits! Struggling to get the linky to work but if you follow the liinky to RS then click on the 'find' button where I'm put Latches, it will give you enough latches to keep you busy for ages!!
HTH

[Edited on 2/3/11 by owelly]

[Edited on 2/3/11 by owelly]

[Edited on 2/3/11 by owelly]

I used four of the Protex Latches.


http://www.protex.com/product/show/name/270-600



Daniel