plastic bonnet ?????

**Das** · 23rd April 2012, 15:50

You have a preface, check yourself. I have had countless debates with Gazza about the change from bonnet lifter to metal bar on the facelift. Most say its not possible as the bonnet will just fold in half but all of the people saying this have no proof or know of anyone that this has actually happened to though, as far as I can recall.
It is true that the facelift bonnet is lighter than the preface bonnet due to the preface having the extra front to the bonnet that carries the grill. My argument was always that it is one of many cost saving that happened through the Vec's life, it just happened that this one was facelift specific. VX could very easily, if they had wanted too, have a gas lifter matched to carry the lighter weight of the facelift bonnet, but they never. However a few weeks back I noticed that Signumboy had left his bonnet lifter, from his preface Signum, in place and mated it to his facelift bonnet conversion, proving that they didn't even need to have a gas lifter matched specifically to the lighter bonnet. I still say it was cost saving, 50p piece of steel, verses £5 for a lifter, I dunno, just a guess.

**coldo** · 23rd April 2012, 15:55

That would make sense actualy...

**marc vectra sri** · 23rd April 2012, 19:04

To be honest I can't see the bonnet folding due to a strut I can't see the difference for having one holder on the facelift as there still no support on the other side so really the bonnet would bend if this was true about putting a strut on as it's been said its a vx cost cutting If in dought fit 2 struts to the bonnet my dads preface did have 2 struts I can remember as we replaced one

**rich r** · 23rd April 2012, 21:10

Yes, I would have thought two softer struts would have been the obvious solution. To be honest the Vectra is the first car I've owned with a strut on the bonnet - and it's probably the lightest bonnet I've had! I've had some cars with quite heavy bonnets that really could do with a bit of help to lift them - Pulsar GTI-R one isn't light, that bonnet scoop is heavy. And as for my wife's 2.5 litre Pajero - that's a double skinned bonnet (intercooler air flow is between the skins) that's strong enough to walk on without bending, and it's a lot higher up than a car one, so to lift it up high enough to get the bonnet stay in place takes a lot more arm strength that it really should do.

Seems DasArab is right btw, I can't get a magnet to stick to the frame on my 2004 prefacelift bonnet. So it looks like it is all aluminium, apart from the catch and hinges.

**Das** · 23rd April 2012, 21:16

Originally Posted by rich r

Seems DasArab is right btw, I can't get a magnet to stick to the frame on my 2004 prefacelift bonnet. So it looks like it is all aluminium, apart from the catch and hinges.

Mines a 2004 too. Wonder if older ones were Alu with a steel frame?