S bonnet Difference. smooth s3 and s4c
Discussion
Could someone post up a few pics of the late s3 smooth bonnet and the s4c smooth bonnet for comparison.
especially if possible the scuttle area and the strikers.
It looks like the only smooth s bonnet mould in existence is the original s4c mould. ( well other than the humped v8s)
1,2,3,3c, ( all with scoop) are available and so is the v8s and the recently located s4c.
I know the s4c is slightly different in that it has vents but I need to see what the other differences are and would it fit the late s3
ta
G
p.s. Im also trying to put a definitive list of photos for each model together so would like to see some of those to..
am i correct in thinking there is
s1 ( air scoop)
s2 ( air Scoop)
s3 ( air scoop)
s3c ( air scoop and round spots)
s3 smooth and round spots( or is this simply the s4 )
s4 smooth and round spots
s4c ( small vents in bonnet) smooth with round spots
v8s ( smooth with supercharger hump and round spots)
especially if possible the scuttle area and the strikers.
It looks like the only smooth s bonnet mould in existence is the original s4c mould. ( well other than the humped v8s)
1,2,3,3c, ( all with scoop) are available and so is the v8s and the recently located s4c.
I know the s4c is slightly different in that it has vents but I need to see what the other differences are and would it fit the late s3
ta
G
p.s. Im also trying to put a definitive list of photos for each model together so would like to see some of those to..
am i correct in thinking there is
s1 ( air scoop)
s2 ( air Scoop)
s3 ( air scoop)
s3c ( air scoop and round spots)
s3 smooth and round spots( or is this simply the s4 )
s4 smooth and round spots
s4c ( small vents in bonnet) smooth with round spots
v8s ( smooth with supercharger hump and round spots)
mk1fan said:
I've not seen a smooth bonnet without the side vents (ignoring the V8S style).
Samy - an S3C - had the smooth bonnet with side vents fitted. Not sure if it was factory fitted or not, I don't have a receipt for a replacement in the history nor do I have the original order either.
ta this might explain why we cant find an s4 mould complete or otherwise !! do you have a photo of that bonnet showing the ventsSamy - an S3C - had the smooth bonnet with side vents fitted. Not sure if it was factory fitted or not, I don't have a receipt for a replacement in the history nor do I have the original order either.
G
Hi Graham,
As far as I am aware, there was only one smooth bonnet type, and that always had the side slits/vents. It was introduced on later S3/S3c and carried over to the S4c, but is generally referred to as the S4 bonnet to denote the style, ie no scoop. I am uncertain whether the S4c bonnet was widened slightly to accommodate the wider S4c track, or if it was just the rear track that was widened on the S4c. I think all of the S4's were catted, so no plain S4's were produced afaik.
The probability is that the smooth bonnets were all the same. ie none made without the slits/vents.
I am not aware of any differences between the S2 and S3 bonnets, unless it was just the modifications to clear the wiper arm bases as shown in Greenhulk's pics, and possibly a revised moulding on the rear underside at the scuttle with or without a seal.
The additional driving lamps were a factory fitted optional extra on the S3, not just specific to the S3c
It would seem that all of the bonnet styles are interchangeable, as some smashed S4 bonnets have been replaced by earlier types, and Greymrj has a V8S bonnet on his S1.
However the exception is probably only a V8S bonnet would fit a V8S. Perhaps somebody could confirm this?
In summary, there were fewer different bonnet styles than you have listed, so perhaps you have a full set of moulds.
If you have the mould for the smooth slitted vent "S4" style, I reckon that would be the most popular one to produce, a lot of people prefer its' clean lines.
Here is a frontal shot of my very early ( first batch, Sept 1987 ) S1:
And one of my Sept 1990 S3c
I hope this information is of some help, again this is to the best of my knowledge.
As far as I am aware, there was only one smooth bonnet type, and that always had the side slits/vents. It was introduced on later S3/S3c and carried over to the S4c, but is generally referred to as the S4 bonnet to denote the style, ie no scoop. I am uncertain whether the S4c bonnet was widened slightly to accommodate the wider S4c track, or if it was just the rear track that was widened on the S4c. I think all of the S4's were catted, so no plain S4's were produced afaik.
The probability is that the smooth bonnets were all the same. ie none made without the slits/vents.
I am not aware of any differences between the S2 and S3 bonnets, unless it was just the modifications to clear the wiper arm bases as shown in Greenhulk's pics, and possibly a revised moulding on the rear underside at the scuttle with or without a seal.
The additional driving lamps were a factory fitted optional extra on the S3, not just specific to the S3c
It would seem that all of the bonnet styles are interchangeable, as some smashed S4 bonnets have been replaced by earlier types, and Greymrj has a V8S bonnet on his S1.
However the exception is probably only a V8S bonnet would fit a V8S. Perhaps somebody could confirm this?
In summary, there were fewer different bonnet styles than you have listed, so perhaps you have a full set of moulds.
If you have the mould for the smooth slitted vent "S4" style, I reckon that would be the most popular one to produce, a lot of people prefer its' clean lines.
Here is a frontal shot of my very early ( first batch, Sept 1987 ) S1:
And one of my Sept 1990 S3c
I hope this information is of some help, again this is to the best of my knowledge.
Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 19th November 09:02
To summarize S Series Bonnet Types:
A. S1 ( air scoop) Yes
B. S2 ( air scoop)& extra recesses for chrome strip above front rubber bumpers.
" S3 ( air scoop)^^^^ Same as S2? ^^^^
C. S3c ( air scoop and round spots) Also factory optional extra on S3
D. Late S3/S3c/S4c ( small slit vents in bonnet) smooth with round spots. Known as "S4 Bonnet"
E. V8S ( smooth with supercharger hump and round spots)
Does anybody disagree with this list? If so, please let us know on here.
A. S1 ( air scoop) Yes
B. S2 ( air scoop)& extra recesses for chrome strip above front rubber bumpers.
" S3 ( air scoop)^^^^ Same as S2? ^^^^
C. S3c ( air scoop and round spots) Also factory optional extra on S3
D. Late S3/S3c/S4c ( small slit vents in bonnet) smooth with round spots. Known as "S4 Bonnet"
E. V8S ( smooth with supercharger hump and round spots)
Does anybody disagree with this list? If so, please let us know on here.
glenrobbo said:
It would seem that all of the bonnet styles are interchangeable, as some smashed S4 bonnets have been replaced by earlier types, and Greymrj has a V8S bonnet on his S1.
For some reason I think the V8S bonnet looks the best Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 19th November 09:02
. It does appear I have the distinction (no dubious comments please) of owning the only S1 with V8 bonnet. Mind you it has led to the car being described as the sheep in wolfs clothing!
An advantage is that, in terms of air flow and thermodynamics, it probably gives the best cooling of all the bonnet arrangements.....and the warmest screen!
Further to what I posted on the other thread.
From a business point of view I think you should drop the S3 moniker as it is the same as the S2. Keeps things simple. Knowing TVR they probably had the S2 bonnets lying around when the S3 was launched so just used them!
That way you have a simple list;
S1 bonnet.
S2 bonnet.
S3 bonnet.
S4 bonnet.
V8S bonnet.
Photos / drawing on the website then people can identify which one they want.
I don't think the 'C' label had any impact on the factory bonnet fitting.
From a business point of view I think you should drop the S3 moniker as it is the same as the S2. Keeps things simple. Knowing TVR they probably had the S2 bonnets lying around when the S3 was launched so just used them!
That way you have a simple list;
S1 bonnet.
S2 bonnet.
S3 bonnet.
S4 bonnet.
V8S bonnet.
Photos / drawing on the website then people can identify which one they want.
I don't think the 'C' label had any impact on the factory bonnet fitting.
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff