Hot Rods At shows...why is it...

This question is basically for 40's and newer car owners.

As the title says, "why is it that"...people lifting their hoods...12" to 15" (ish) inches ? Or less than half its opening capability.
Are...THEY... trying to be somewhat secretive, cool, what the hell ?

I've asked people on occasion -
1. I get ignored.
2. I get, "I'm sorry" and they lift the hood...only to put it back to its 12" stance after I walk away.
3. I get, "so you can see the engine"...!?!? What the hell !
4. I get, (see above), they lift the hood without saying a word, only to put it back to its lowered position after I walk away.

If I try to talk / ask questions, they are mostly cordial and talk, but...

So...what's what's the deal here for those of you that like to tease (or know someone) with a semi-open hood..?

Mike

 

I always get told I have a semi open fly most of the time

 

And they see usually right 110% of the time, I tell you.

 

But honestly I don't know why either. Maybe they just are not good at making decisions.

 

So are the hoods half up or half down.

 

I dont know why either...but maybe it's so guys who want to look at the engine can..but in the meantime the car still looks kinda like it's supposed to...instead of having the hood straight up.

 

If I'm near cars I like to take photos. Hoods up make for lousy pics. If you're
at a judged show, though, your hood should be up. If a car is at a judged show
then everything up, down, in and out, should be detailed and shown. If you're
just at some gathering like a picnic, road rally or run, leave the hood down and
give spectators and picture takers a break and let them appreciate the lines of
your car. Opening the hood eight inches makes no sense.

 

Lol. I've often wondered the same...

 

Mine stays at half-mast because my springs are like me, old and saggy.

 

I can honestly say that I have never wondered that.

 

My 51 chevy does that because the hood springs are weak.

 

Me either.

 

Let the heat out?

 

Maybe those cars are like their owners, can only get it half UP

 

maybe because there is a point that triggers the underhood light coming on and it runs their battery down.

 

Some people have got real problems man,,,

Now , since I’m wondering why I’m here - I suppose much like your thread title ,,,
Had the title been complete I wouldn’t be here waisting my time on this nonsense.

 

May be like the show cars that are up on stands and slightly tilted so you can see how nice they are underneath versus being on a full on, in your face, rotisserie sideways up
I personally think the hood cracked partially up can be kind of subtle cool

 

It's so esthetically it's still pleasing, you still get an idea of the flow of the vehicle with still being able to see the engine.
Just like the unwritten rule of not lifting the hood of a custom, once all the way up it ruins the look, unless you're into baby birds.

 

They want to show off the engine, without looking like they're showing off the engine.

 

I had a old guy open and raise my hood once to look to see what I had in there at a show
It was a old 55 chevy I had, that was pretty presentable and clean under there but nothing special to show really so I left the hood closed, a bunch of older guys swarmed to it after I pulled in and I got out to walk to look at other cars.
One of em acted like I was hiding something in there and jerked the hood open, ordinarily that would be out of line and rude but me kind of knowing the old gear heads, I kind of had to laugh and eventually came back around to talk to em

 

So we need to start a new thread..."Do you lock your hood at car shows?"

 

I think @swade41 called it. I used to do this with my old '70 Javelin at shows. I would prop it open with a chromed 4 way lug wrench. The body had a bunch of paint work & I didn't want to "disrupt the flow" of the car, but wanted everyone to peak at the dual quad SBC under the hood. You have to admit, when it's only open a smidge, it draws you in to peek inside. Just like your neighbor's curtains. Or, so I'm told...

 

I totally agree, When I am at a show I leave the hood down and as you alluded to it makes for a much better photo and it looks better also.

If I am ask to see the engine I will open the hood but as soon as the inquisitive is satisfied I return the hood to the closed position. HRP

 

I know on my Corvette I always leave the hood closed or cover my chrome air cleaner lid. That lid will reflect the sun back into the hood and will blister the paint.

 

You can see by some of the answers the folks that I've bothered with this question..!
Rather than not comment at all (like a grown adult) they comment with...well, just read them for yourself. Silly, just like a hood half open.

Mike

 

this is supposed to be a forum for gearheads with actual tech and there still is, just not as much as there used to be. this kinda stuff belongs on that other site FB where them old hens do all that clucking

 

my 1/2 answer to the 1/2 open hood: because they might be

 

Guilty only for this reason. Engine compartment isn't clean enough. But I kept that up so well that the hood stay's forever closed now.

 

Your “Raw Honesty”is admirable.

 

Ellipsis reads complete as far as... (you finish)