This is my bad ass louver guy, I'm sure he would be happy to poke a bunch of holes in whatever you end up building. If it is just a hood top, you can mail it to South Carolina on the cheap. lo c dan | The H.A.M.B. -Abone.
How about using dzus fasteners? They have been around since the 30’s and were used a lot in the aircraft industry. Hot rodders used a bunch of aircraft stuff back in the day
Dzus buttons were used on the Chrisman Coupe and Big Cars (Champ/Indy cars) of the day... ...and if you go to your local dirt track you car probably find all you need for free on the ground in the pits, I usually find one or two that have fallen out of the tin work of a car at some point, during the course of a race night!
Dzus buttons go with hot rods while leather straps are more suited for Brass Age cars; but hey, your car, your preference.
There's a lot of guys running that look lately. Bunch at the Reliabilty Run. I don't care for a flat hood with no bead down the middle or belt line. Louvers make it more desirable, but the bead finishes it off. Is this something you plan on running all the time, or as an option?
How about a hood which leaves the engine open to be seen without the straps getting in the way? Mine is actually a 32 one piece hood shortened with the side accent lines pulled up to match the Model A belt line. It is held on by the hinge pivot on the cowl and I used 2 Model A hood hold downs to tabs on the lip of the grill. Works well and is easy to remove, plus it doesn't block the view of the engine.
I’ve always liked the look when done right and on the right car. Has a European flair to it to my eyes and I’m a tart for that junk. @ModelAMitch did a nice job with his in my opinion.
No louvers. Why would you want the heat to roll out the top of the hood and then under the windshield when it's slid out for air in the cab? As far as hold downs, I like 4 leather straps and a spring on each end. Not over the top. That's been my plan for my coupe from the get go.
Did some digging last night—went down the rabbit hole trying to find photos of Mal Hooper’s coupe. No dice. I’m almost certain I’ve got some buried in the Tom Cobbs archive, but I’m resisting the urge to jump ahead. Feels wrong to spoil the discovery—for me or for you. Still, based on what I did find, I’m starting to think over-the-hood straps might not be the move for my car. I’ll mock it up anyway, just to be sure, but I’ve got a hunch they’ll come off looking a little… dainty. Not that it matters yet. I’ve got plenty of other details to chase down before I even get there. Tardel and I slapped on some fast fixes when we installed the Canadian heads and the Eddie Meyer intake, but it’s time to tighten things up—figure out a more legit puke tank for the radiator, reroute the fuel lines, find a better-looking coil… all the fun little jobs that keep you in the garage and out of trouble. That should keep me busy until I head off to Hawaii. By then, with any luck, I’ll have some shots of Mal’s coupe in hand—and the time to let the whole thing percolate properly.
i hate thinking, i lose sleep over it, mind constantly working. next thing i know, i'm posting on the hamb at 2am asking others what they think. in my case, it's best not to think, shoot from the hip and get it over with
Could be an indicator it's time to build another car? I had the same thoughts with Walter... Maybe it needs a roadster body? But then again, maybe it's just time to build a roadster...
Imagine the plight of the (MAN) person, that has to attend a function with his wife, but truly doesn't enjoy the social element of having to dress up for the occasion, because the function requires wearing a tie. Begrudgingly the (MAN) tries to deal with it, by trying to decide whether to wear a bow tie, or a Western String tie, or a BoLo tie, or a cheap clip on tie, with a simulated Windsor knot! Now apply all of that, to the element of having to choose a variety of elements, in regard to securing the hood of a Hot Rod! Everyone's results may vary greatly!
I’ve always been of the opinion that the straps on the sides looked ok on a fenderless model A or 32-34, particularly a roadster, but the straps over the hood had too much of a European look to them for that style car. That’s just my take.
Straps over the hood make me think the hood latch was broken, it does work on some cars bot not everything IMHO. Makes me think of silver duct tape, I have actually used duct tape to keep the trunk lid closed. HRP
When I had my roadster lust relapse, I traded my sedan body straight across for this complete Brookville with top irons, seat and parts. I kept the old louvered hood. I used the time honored, and cheap, way to keep it attached: A common screen door spring with home made S hooks holding it to the rods at the outside hinges. It stretches underneath the radiator support rods and keeps everything snug. No rattle or lift. I wanted the ability to run the side panels and didn’t want the straps. And it gives an unobstructed view of the screaming flathead mill! It will look better with the Edelbrock Slingshot and block letter heads, Now if I could only find time to get back to work on it. Before After Currently
The Jalopy Journal
