George has designed and helped me build what must be nearly the best, dearest and well engineered door hinges I have seen! We used stainless steel and the original arms. The arms travel on spherical stainless steel heim joints that are tightened for adjustment. The whole system attaches to the inner kick panel and does not touch the pillar at all. I have included a pic as they really have come out very nice!
The hinge then attaches to an intrusion bar (zinc plated since pics) to improve safety, then the striker will bolt through the glass and attach to the roll cage to make it really safe.
4 comments:
The same problem exists with the Mark 5 here in Kapunda. The flimsy Mk.5 door hinges were just attached to a flat fibreglass panel. The doors, which only weigh about half what a Mk.7 door would weigh, had dropped considerably. Colin Lucas, who is doing the bodywork went down to Adelaide to have a look at Bill Davidson's Mark 5. That car has braced steel uprights to hold the hinges and that's what we'll do with this Mark 5 but I don't think that's how they were originally. George DiPalma solved the problem by fitting external Mini hinges to his. They seem to have stood the test of time. I remember a Sports car magazine writer who should have known better in an article on the various Bolwell models, stating that the Mark 5 is identified by the Mini door hinges.
A couple of years ago we had a picnic somewhere and were going back to our place for a "cup of tea". Jane's youngest son was with us and as he had little or no knowledge of Bolwells, an offer was made by a Mark 7 driver who was on his own, of a ride back. This was accepted with a little trepidation as he (a) was a very nervous passenger at the best of times and (b) was used to being driven around Brisbane in the very latest Prado or whatever. Anyway, as they went around a right-hand bend, the left-hand door chose that moment to fall off. I don't think he's been in a Bolwell since.
LOL.
I really enjoy reading your articles. So much to learn from them. Thanks guys!
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