Hi Guys,
My car doesn’t come with an engine bay cover “prop”, aside from the metal rod that isn’t attached to the car. What do you guys use as a prop? Pictures especially appreciated, thank you!
Kurt
My S1 has a lightweight, height adjustable, colour-coded version:
It may or may not be the handle from a Wilko telescopic mop, priced around £3.99 
I use a 6 iron. Seriously 
Snap-on on do a really nice prop that can be extended or retracted with rubber stops on each end. I have two, one for the front and one for the back.
Just me using the gas struts?
No quite a few do
I saw a proper pivoting and clip stowed affair at the MLOC LitP bash, so wish I’d photographed it…
I had gas struts but they seemed to make the fit of my engine cover wors3, so now removed. Using length of dowling but SnapOn device sounds a good idea
I, too, am also in the “length of wooden dowel” group. Mine is painted red for additional visibility, although I have yet to miss seeing either the front or rear hatch open before driving off…
Bearing in mind the stripped-down nature of the S1, I think this fits the ethos of the car much better than any more fancy devices!!
I fully agree that the gas struts doesn’t fit the spartan philosophy of the car. But I’m weak and couldn’t resist the luxury they offer when working inside the engine bay.
The struts needs to be run nearly parallel to the engine cover when the cover is closed. Otherwise they will constantly try to push the cover open creating the fitment issues thommo reported.
I did think they were a great system, re access but maybe I did not consider their positioning carefully enough.
Ah well, that’s the advantage of the “stick” method…it can be positioned (almost) anywhere to suit the occasion 
I have gas struts too. The only picture to hand doesn’t actually show the struts but with a bay like this you can see why I might want to show it off 
“Keep it standard” gang look away now
Gearbox needs a clean
Too busy swanning around in a Caterham
In your case, surely a ‘Driver’ would be more appropriate…
or a ‘Wedge’ if you are loaded!
I’ve seen his driving, he should definitely be using a Sand Wedge
What about a put-put-putter?