Engine hood support rod photos needed

[Fi8spider]

First time long time...I have a 74' Spider which I have owned since importing it from California to Australia in 1992. I purchased the vehicle (which had been in a minor collision) and needed a bonnet (engine hood) replacement. The hood that was supplied by my importer was for a late model (2000cc), it was preped, sprayed, hinges modified and fitted. some slight mucking around with the catch and my 74' has a late model hood. The set back is that the late model hood does not have the support rod bracket on it, so I will have to make one and fit it, (not a big deal) I have the hood rod and spring. Problem being, im in Australia and don't enjoy the luxury of near by help to compare things with other spiders.

Could somebody please assist me with a good photo(s) or locate a picture of the area under the hood that I am talking about . This way I can calculate size and location for manufacture and fitment of the bracket .
Many thanks all.

[perthling]

G'day! Where in Oz are you? I have a '74 Spider in WA and can take a photo for you if need be. Welcome to the forum; you'll find heaps of knowledgeable people here. Great to see another ex-Cal '74 down under.

[mdrburchette]

Is the hood rod in the center of the hood or on the left side? I believe they changed them over in 79. If it's the early one (on the left side), I can take a pic of mine and give you some measurements.

[adrians]

Yes, Fi8spider were are you located ?

[Fi8spider]

Hey Perthling, Im from Sydney (inner west, Caterbury area) Ive shot you off a photo of my under bonnet situation, thanks for your help. Next time Im over the other side of the island id love to hook up with a spider owner, ive had a long time wish of spider cruisin the West Coast hwy on sunset. Best regards.

[Fi8spider]

Hi md, all help is greatly appreciated at this stage as i dont want to drill into the bonnet until im dead sure of position. I wish to install the early set up as the rad support panel is the early one and ive managed to get a rod and spring from the states a while back. Regs F8Sp

[Fi8spider]

Yes, Fi8spider were are you located ?

hey adrian, im near Canterbury (cooks river end), tucked away in the back streets, if you have owned your fiat for a while you may know me. My brother and I worked at autopitstop fiat wrekers for years (i was the yard manager he was workshop manager) and then I owned Torino Spares of canterbury before continental spares bought me out in 1994/95

[Curly]

This pic might help. SPYDUH is a '76 CS1, but it has a 2000 bonnet and early stay setup.

[mdrburchette]

Here's another pic:

[Fi8spider]

This pic might help. SPYDUH is a '76 CS1, but it has a 2000 bonnet and early stay setup.

Thanks Curly, this confirms a lot.

[Fi8spider]

Thanks a heap! i didnt want to ruin the paint job by having to weld it onto the bonnet but the photo Curly sent me confirms that you can use poprivets. Im flying now.

[Curly]

Thanks a heap! i didnt want to ruin the paint job by having to weld it onto the bonnet but the photo Curly sent me confirms that you can use poprivets. Im flying now.

Sorry to disappoint you Fi8spider, but my bracket is welded to the bonnet - not pop rivited. If you must go with rivets, might I suggest removing the paint on both surfaces and using one of the new panel bonding glues that are available as well.

[mdrburchette]

That little bracket sure takes a beating, especially if the wind catches the hood while it's up. The one on my 72 is starting to tear away so I'm considering adding a cable attached to the radiator support until we can weld and repaint the hood.