TA22 broken bonnet latch - HELP

[dougTA22]

Got quite a problem... I bought a TA22 for a project car and she is know sitting up in the garage waiting patiently. Pretty big problem though - I can't open the bonnet.

The previous owner stripped the engine bay to paint it, he got as far as painting it and then lost interest. So I went up the coast and put the engine back in and put the bonnet back on for transport. I heard the click and then thought "oh shit, what if old mate didn't reconnect the bonnet release cable..." Sure enough, go to pop the bonnet. nothing... engine is in the bay so there is very minimal room to get up from underneath.

Current plan is either try and squeeze my arm up with a pair of pliers, use a screwdriver attached to a broom handle and try and get through from the front (the grill and radiator are all still off), or possibly get some cable or thick fishing line and feed it in from the back of the bonnet to try and release it.

Anyone had a similar issue? If so how did you fix it? Anyone willing to go take a camera and post a photo of the bonnet release latch so I can try and figure out what I need to do?

Cheers,
Doug

[litldv8]

if you dont have the grile and radiator in your made.
stick your head in there and with a torch and flat screwdriver find the spot where the bonnet cable shoudl be and give it a shove
neil

[litldv8]

double post
my bad

[LeeRoy]

liltdv8, that might be a bit difficult considering the latch is on the firewall.

[Silly Rabbit]

...maybe see if you can undo the bonnet hinges from the front of the bonnet and then lift the bonnet enough to wedge in and release the catch....good luck

[ta22fan]

If you remove most of the front parts including headlight assemblies (all pretty easy tho) - you'll be able unbolt the bonnet hinges, and that'll get you sorted.

[litldv8]

liltdv8, that might be a bit difficult considering the latch is on the firewall.

well that would stuff up the day
neil