Corniche / Continental Convertible Hood coming undone.

[Malcolm Frazer-Cox]

I have a Corniche (RR) Convertible built in 1985. As is fairly usual the Everflex hood was at some stage replaced with a mohair hood. The problem I am experiencing is that the two front latches are detaching at speeds around 50-60 MPH. This can be a little unsettling, and makes motorway use a trying. The leading edge of the hood is slightly warped in that the ash leading edge connects at the sides but there is a large gap through which you can see sky/daylight, and the latches do not appear to go "over cam" and fasten down, which is why they become undone. The latches are on their maximum adjustment and can't be tightened them any more. I have previously tried a split rubber hose on the leading edge of the upper windscreen surround which I think has not really helped the matter, and I have now removed this, the previously broken Bauer wires in the side of the hood to improve tension have been replaced and I had hoped that these may have brought the leading edge of the hood down more to meet the upper part of the windscreen surround . I considered trying to mould or bend the leading edge of the hood down to give it a greater angle, but as the frame is ash this isn't really going to work.
I suspect some of the cause may be the use of the car prior to my ownership and the ridiculous habit some people had of sitting on the tonneau or hood when folded down with their feet on the squab of the back seat.
I have the car in with a vehicle trimmer at the present and we are looking for a solution, I wonder if any members have experienced similar issues and have any recommendations. At the moment the hood doesn't warrant a complete replacement.
_________________
M. Frazer Cox