Clam latches?

[Daniel Lorenz]

Or just fit original Hartwell latches from an EE Lightning or a Tornado fighterjet, which are plentiful on ebay…

These Hartwells will save you a ton of work by not altering all the bodywork to fit garden gate latches.

Morten

The alternative i mentioned does NOT need any modifications, it fits nicely in the recess in the clam.
The lower part that attaches to the frame has to have a small tab made to mount it though and can't be screwed directly into the frame.
Attached from my own build down below.

 

[Sammy]

Hi Joe. I too have Active Power Kit from Chris. I have considered all of the things mentioned here but eventually bought RCR's Hartwell type latches. They look amazing and fits perfectly without doing any modification to our cars. Just save your self from all the headaches and bite the bullet. good luck.

 

[joe]

RCR is 4-6 weeks out on their latches...and from what I have gathered about how they handle backorders, getting them could be a giant headache. They don't do lists for people waiting for parts.
I'm not opposed to fabricating something as I have the tools and the means. I'm just trying to figure out how to do it.

 

[Sammy]

RCR is 4-6 weeks out on their latches...and from what I have gathered about how they handle backorders, getting them could be a giant headache. They don't do lists for people waiting for parts.
I'm not opposed to fabricating something as I have the tools and the means. I'm just trying to figure out how to do it.

I ordered mine back in April 2024. When they got my check payment they shipped after 3 days. I guess they don't have it in stock now.

 

[joe]

Ya, I contacted them last week.
The Aerocatch latches look interesting. Wondering how to get the anodizing off to get them back to raw aluminum. I'm trying to find measurements of how big the latches are. Looks like the only mod needed would be a 90 degree piece bolted to the chassis that the catch would bolt to.

 

[joe]

Easy Off oven cleaner may get them to a raw aluminum state.

 

[joe]

This is the choice i made in links below.
If you want them to look more like the original then you can heat them up to loose the color.

325-2000 Below Panel - AeroCatch

Kit Contents 2 x AeroCatch® 3

aerocatch.com

350-2000 Above Panel / Pocket - AeroCatch

Kit Contents 2 x AeroCatch® 3XS Delivery Information Please note that delivery will be 2 to 5 working days from receipt of order

aerocatch.com

Where did you purchase them from?

 

[David mono]

Ya, I contacted them last week.
The Aerocatch latches look interesting. Wondering how to get the anodizing off to get them back to raw aluminum. I'm trying to find measurements of how big the latches are. Looks like the only mod needed would be a 90 degree piece bolted to the chassis that the catch would bolt to.

Easy Off oven cleaner may get them to a raw aluminum state.

I use oven cleaner to remove clear anodizing from aluminum trim parts when restoring them.

 

[Daniel Lorenz]

Where did you purchase them from?

From ebay, just google it and you'll find someone closer to you that sells them.
They aint cheap, but fits nicely in the clam reccesses.
Measures in pictures.

 

[Randy V]

Oven Cleaner to remove anodizing / coatings from alloy —
Be aware, if you remove these coatings and are in an area where there is humidity - those parts (every nook and cranny) will be subject to corrosion that many if us know as “white death”…
You can buy other coating, however, that do a fair job of protecting the alloy.
I use Shark Hide —

https://www.amazon.com/Sharkhide-Metal-Protectant-1/dp/B07NGMYKS5?th=1

 

[joe]

Ordered 4 of the Aerocatch latches from abautoworks.com for $600 shipped. I think they will be 1000% better than the latches shipped with the car that most people use with AP builds, and I'm sure I will find somewhere else to spend the $400 saved!

 

[Morten]

You would’ve saved $800 with original Hartwell latches though

 

[joe]

I looked for a few weeks for Hartwell/aviation latches. Nothing out there that wouldn't have taken major modifications/fabrication to work. What was out there was in the UK....and I'm in the US.

 

[Neil]

I have a few Camloc 51L stainless steel latches with a secondary lock. These are new old stock aerospace latches. Includes stainless steel catch. Working load 350 lbs. $50 per pair plus shipping.


Camloc Latches 51L Series Specs - Basic - Secondary Lock Versions

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[Morten]

I looked for a few weeks for Hartwell/aviation latches. Nothing out there that wouldn't have taken major modifications/fabrication to work. What was out there was in the UK....and I'm in the US.

Its easy to have things sent to one of us in the UK, and just repost it to the US. I’ve done that many times to help out.

 

[joe]

The camlocs are very similar to what I always sent with the car. They just don’t look substantial enough for my taste. I’ve seen them on a few AP cars that were for sale on Bring a Trailer. I think the Aerocatch latches will be a good compromise.

 

[joe]

The first vendor I ordered from ended up being a dead end. I was able to contact the US distributor listed on the Aerocatch website and ordered directly from them: Clarendon Fasttrack