1937 Ford build question

I am into building a ground up 37 ford and i am installing the sheetmetal. I bought a new hood from Bob Drake and it fits and opens nice. But I liked the smooth look hood. So I got one with out the hood hole . Which is for the stock hood latch to go through. I have seen plenty of 37s in mags that do not use the stock hood latch. I was wondering and hoping one of you guys would know what hood latch people use for the 37. Like year,make and model. I called the Teck dept. of Bob Drake and Dennis Carpenter and they said they had no idea. GEE ! Seems like if you seems like if you sell the hoods new you would know. Anyone in this fourm know ? Or can give me a idea were I might look for a answer. Its not like its a odd car. Lots of guys build 37 Fords. Its like second to a 32
Thanks for any info you may offer.

 

Lots of street rod shops sell a "universal" unit that's actually a front hood latch and release from a Volkswagen bug. You can buy them new cheap or scrounge one for almost nothing off a dead bug ('68-up).

 

The most beautiful part of the hood is the stock latch and ornament. Theres plenty of fibergl*** 37s without an ornament. I wouldn't build one without it.

 

I agree, especially some of the aftermarket locking versions.

 

Hard to keep it in the middle of the road without the latch handle to line you up.....

 

Hello.....Most hotrod shops sell some kind of hood latch.......but beware...you still should have a safety latch on the hood.....I have an.stock latch on my 37 with a safety chain.....I know a few owners that their hoods open up when driving.....even more so ..on the smooth hidden hoods...so whatever style you decide.....make sure a safety chain are in your plans(can make it yourself)....Good luck....Big Bad John

 

Volkswagen beetle with Safety catch........These pic's were taken during the build of my 37.......






Finished..................




Ken

 

I adapted a cable operated hood latch ***embly from an '85 Chrysler Lebaron on Henrietta the '38 Ford pickup ('38 truck uses the same latch mechanism as '37 car, the chrome part is different but the rest is the same). I cut off the shaft and kept the original chrome handle and base up on top, but have a pull handle under the dash to pop the hood. This gives me a modern type latch with a safety catch that will keep the hood shut if the latch were to pop going down the road.

 

If you're still looking for a latch, here's what I came up with for my '37 humpback sedan. It's a VW style latch ***embly from Sasche Rod Shop, mounted on modified Legens top, & bottom plates. (pics)

 

I have a 1937 Ford Business man five window coupe. Right now I have a 9" rear end but seems to wide. Does anybody know what size rear end I would need for my hotrod? Otherwards what width from drum to drum.

 

Drum to drum 58-59" is a good fit.