The other day I noticed that the Younger Mrs S' new for her (seconda-mano) 500 was looking at me funny... kind of like Mr Spock with one raised eye-brow.

This turned out to be a slightly not straight fitting bonnet, which upon further rooting around and removing various bits and pieces seems to be a consequence of a not very well repaired minor headbutt of said 500 into something presumably more solid that its face.

It will need the bumper off before I can try to straighten the beast's fizzog slightly... but I also noticed that the plastic tangs on the back of the headlamp were broken off. The previous owner responsible had glued them back on with epoxy glue (the tosser) which is spectacular bodgery at its best.

Rather than replace the headlight, I saw some pieces on t'internet that allow you to repair a fanged headlight (as mine) where just the tangs are broken off.

Has anyone used these (c £15 so a fair proportion of the price of a pattern headlight)? Any hints and tips... or just "don't do it"?


Ralf S.

I believe typecastboy has been there, and done that.

Yes I have. They are £9.99 for a set of 3. You grind off the old ones completely and there are screw holes already on the lights to accommodate them. Perfect fit and rock solid. MoT boys thought they were marvellous too.

Link is the drivers side but both are available.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/391739733236

Top stuff Typecast. Those are a few quids cheaper than the one I found too, so you saved me a Lady.

I've ordered a set for the left hand side too. The main tang was also cracked (hidden with a smear of the epoxy glue) and the minor one is sheared off a little (though not completely as the right hand side).

I suspect the beast will need some professional straightening though since the bonnet looks not bad compared to the bulkhead and wing tops.. but the bumper is half a centimeter "off"; the nearside closes touching the bonnet while the o/s headlamp has too big a hole to fill between the bumper and wing. The wing looks like it wants to come in a few more mm. It's not that noticeable.. but I can't unsee it..


Ralf S.

When you have the bumper off, loosen the 16 bolts that hold the front panel off and give it a tap with a big hammer and move it slightly whichever way it needs to go. If it’s had a new front panel which is highly likely it will allow for a bit of sideways and up and down movement. Support it with a jack so it doesn’t drop though. Just loosen the bolts enough to tap it over. That will probably do it.

You can also adjust the wings in and out a bit too. The bolt on the top of the wing under the bonnet and the one in the front corner accessible behind the headlight. 10mm bolt easier to get to if you take the headlight out. I often loosen these and adjust when fitting a bonnet.