Citroën 2cv Ripple Bonnet Conversion

© Copyright: J.Cats.

Under Construction Ripple bonnet conversion The ripple bonnet as fitted to pre 1961 Citroën 2CVs will fit the post 1961 2CVs. So what do you have to do? Headlight support First the headlight support needs to be modified. Normally it runs in front of the alternator. For the old bonnet to fit, it has to run over the alternator. After removing the wiring and coil, cut of the bar about 10mm inside the legs. On the side with the height adjustment, cut inside the adjustment brackets. With the lights in the most upward position the new tube will be leaning against the carburettor and sitting between the carburettor and the oil filler neck. This means the lights can still be pointed down a bit when rotating the tube but there isn't much adjustment left. Weld everything together, making sure you clear the alternaotr, carburettor, oil filler neck and manifold. If you did your welding properly the wires should still go through the tube. Alternator You'll have to remove the cover on the front of the alternator. This means you have to watch out for the alternator to overheat in hot weather. You also have to watch out you don't get your fingers caught in the fanbelt when the engine is running and the bonned is open. Wings On some cars/wings the points of the bonnet will foul the wings when opening and closing. A solution for this is to lower the wings on their mountings by bending the mounting brackets and enlarging the bolt openings. For a proper job some of the mounting brackets will have to be relocated. Even on the original ripple bonnet cars the bonnet tends to foul the wings though. Closing mechanism The easiest way to get a proper closing mechanism is to take the plate bolted to the bottom of the modern bonnet and fit it on the old bonnet. This will give you a closing mechanism and a place to put the bonnet stay rod when the bonnet is open. Another option is making up a plat and using the original turning mechanism on the ripple bonnet. Check out (pictures of) original ripple bonnet cars to see how this works.