Down, I hate that I cant take a picture of a cool ride because the damn hood is up. When my car is finished There will be no hood for a bit til I make one.
It's your car, do what you want. I like to show off anything with a flathead or anything unusual no matter how crusty. While they are great engine, SBC=hood closed because everybody has already seen one.
Judged? Hood up. All the rest of time, hood down. Car is flamed so hood needs to be down for the flames to flow. Open for judging (I still shoot the car from the closed side) Closed (my preference)
When I first built this I used the hood top to complete the lines of the car but after seeing all the old pictures I took it off. I leave the hood closed on this one because it has an electric fan that embarrasses me. It would take a lot of re-engineering to get it back to a mechanical fan like it should be. I also think it breaks up the scallops. My 56 will have the hood open to show off the FE. The outside just looks like a plain Jane 56 sedan. The engine is what makes the car. So I can say with great conviction...It depends.
I was at a show one time and a dad walked by with his kid and I heard him ask the kid which car he liked best. The kid pointed at mine and said "that one". The dad asked the kid why. The kid replied "Coz all the others are broken down"!
I was thinking more on the lines, of your local in the grass show-no points-just at the end of a run type show-personally, I have no desire for a full out trailered custom, or to be in that kind of show. I also don't stay with my car all day, because quite frankly I get bored, and I want to stretch the legs once in a while, check out other cars etc.-therefore, not necessarily around to raise the hood for the inquiring mind. I know my opinion, just wanted to hear what others thought-thanks for the response.
so..while you're stretching your legs and checking out the other cars,do you want to see the power plant???
No mater what I like them closed, if some one has an interest in the engine they can ask you to take a look
I don't sit at my car all day either. But for a on the grass no points non judged fun show (Outriders picnic) I park the same way I rolled in.
I like it closed unless you're really trying to show off your engine because it's worth it. I'd say keep it closed and if somebody asks, go ahead and give 'em the tour.
I want to see the cars with the hoods closed-to really appreciate their lines-but, I can't say I don't want to see the "power plant" also, and often times the owners aren't around to ask (like myself)....what's a guy to do?
Hood open because my hood fits like shit.....Just kidding. When I get to an event I park and hit the ground running, because I want to see EVERYTHING. I usually leave my hood open because I'm not there to open it for anyone. Besides, my wife hates it when she's by the socializing and has to open the hood every 5 minutes. But....sometimes I get the car parked in a great spot where it really strikes a pose (like the pic below) and I leave the hood shut.
On the Deerslayer, the 302 GMC engine is the truck, as Larry T mentioned. It's up unless I head off to eat or see the other vehicles. BillyBob is stock. Down is okay for that one.
I personally think that "hood down" is a lot more appealing. You get to see the lines and shapes of the car without the obstructions of the hood up. We leave hood down for cars that deserve to have their lines and shapes enjoyed and then hood up for cars that the motor is the center of attention. We are always happy to pop-the-hood for someone but will usually will close it after. Judging shows like to see things wide open, understandably I guess. Joe
Hugh pet peeve, leave the hood down! If you wanted to show off your engine, you should have built the car without a hood or cut a hole in it. This picture is ruined....
if we are talkin the "weekend cruise in:" then I mostly leave it down,and if it comes up in conversation I raise it and might leave it up for a while HOWEVER there is nothing special under the hood of the 56....and this crap about REQUIRED to leave it open WTF its your car now they may not judge under the hood however it might not be a big deal unless its a ISCA type show,heres a good shot ruined cause I left the damn hood open
Most cars look better with the hood down, but if I am looking at a persons work I like to see as much as possible. Its not all about the bling. I want to see if they took pride in their work. If its neat and tidy, if the fab work was done with skill and pride. I have seen some cars with outstanding paint and body work, but when you raise the hood it looks like a rats nest. it dosen't take a lot of money to tidy-up wiring and clean and paint. Just a little more time. I guess what I am getting at is that I am not impressed with the guy that spent the most money. I am more impressed with the quality of work and the attention to detail. Its hard to see that without seeing the whole car. If you are proud of your work show it off.
When I go to a show, my hood, doors, and trunk are left closed. I let the crowd judge the car. So far I've been lucky. And received a few awards. But the best reward comes from the viewers.
I keep the hood down, but my hood sides are usually off so the curious can see the holes that are in my valve covers.
Fidgiter, I have to agree with you 100% that this custom really needs to have it's hood down. In this instance the hood is a major distraction to the lines of the car. In your Avitar, on the other hand, having a nice looking woman all over your car is not a distraction at all. LOL Joe
Cruises, BBQ's, and graffiti night.....Closed! Shows....open. I have no problem openning the hood at the cruz-in when asked and no problem closing it for pics at the show. Obviously the hood down makes for a slick pick but hood up makes jaws drop! Plus I purposly prop up the hood low so the girlies in the tank tops give me a show! All in good fun. Just dont open the hood if your engine is a rats nest!
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