Methods for holding down a Model A hood with no hood sides...ideas?

I just got a nice, clean, original hood top section for my 1930 Ford roadster. I want to be able to use it sometimes so I am trying to get together some ideas on a cool way to affix it to the cowl and grille shell. I like the old T speedster straps, or leather straps with the zip-zig spring tighteners. Any other suggestions. Thanks a lot...

Here is a shot of the car with a photoshoped hood that I did...to give an idea.

 

80's Caddy hearses, depending on who made them, have some neat little chrome latches inside on the compartments below the table that would be perfect for that sort of thing. Sitting around in the garage at the funeral home, the frames rot out, so they turn up in junkyards now and then -

 

Leather straps?

Internal pins into firewall & radiator shell?

 

Burl made small steel "L" brackets to use in the front. The long side of the L has a piece of small rod welded to it which slips into one of the rolls which hold the original hood rods. The short side bolts to a hole in the lip of the radiator shell. In the rear he made a cross brace which runs from side to side which has pins which slide into the hood rod rolls and stick out to the rear and slip into plastic-bushed holes in the firewall.

 

What about these Adam?





Talk to Steve Dennish (another Brit) at Limeworks

 

That last one looks good...and kind of what I was thinking, but I have been looking and have no clue as to where to find those springs. Does anyone else?

 

Adam,

Steve Dennish at Limeworks sells the kit, http://www.limeworksspeedshop.com/

 

Here's a slightly different take on a 33-34 Ford.Don't know what it was made from;if I can get hold of Mark Kirby I'll ask him.It's one of his friends.

 

Make sure you are sitting down when you look at how much that system costs!!

 

I know...it is kinda costly, and doesn't include the leather. I am just trying to find those springs so I can make my own. Not easy to find...

 

xadamx - check out http://www.restorationstuff.com

Download their catalog (pdf) and check out page 30. Has those springs and fasteners - not nearly as expensive as Limeworks. The footman loops are on page 31.

 

http://www.restorationstuff.com/Catalog/RSC%20No23%20web3.pdf

PAGES 30 TO 33 WILL HAVE EVRYTHING YOU NEED. NOW JUST FIND A GOOD WESTERN TACK/SADDLE GUY FOR THE STRAPS.

THEY HAVE THE FLAT SPRINGS, QUICK RELEASES, RINGS, BOOTMAN'S,,,, ETC. IN BRASS AND STAINLESS

 

I made some spring loaded pins that fit in the hinge loops on my 32 Sport coupe.

I've seen bungy cords stretched from side to side underneath. I would like to do the same for my 34 P/U. I was checking out this 34 P/U with no hood sides and I couldn't see what kept the tops down. Finally I asked the owner what keeps the top panels down?...he said nothing and flipped the top panels up to prove it. Only the center hinge and gravity holds them on. He says it never flaps. You may not need anything...he didn't. He did have a nice fit at the cowl without anything pulling it down.

 

I'm a big fan of Dzus buttons.

 

I used a couple off small turnbuckles from the front of the hood to the rad shell, they are hidden, cant be seen but easy to access.

 

dont use the bungees going across under the hood, it pulls the
edges of the hood against the cowl and rubs the paint/primer down to bare metal. Leather straps pulling straight down are the best way to go. The pins into the rad shell and cowl is good if you want the floating look.

 

WARNING: Don't look here unless you have at least an hour to devote to the mission

Ton's of cool stuff.

Frank

 

I knew I would get all the good info here. Looks like restorationstuff.com has everything I need...should be able to build all the straps for $100 or so.

 

I put the top on like stock, I put brazing rods in for the side panel hinge with line clamps in the front and rear most openings for the side panels. hook a tarp fastener though one side then to the other side front and rear. Total cost; 4 NAPA line clamps , 2 tarp rubber fasteners and 2 non fluxed brazing rods.

 

So that's where the choprods roadster went....

 

The guy I got my 32 from srewed it on!

 

Believe it or not, I used "Velcro" at the front & rear edges of the cowl & radiator. Then fastened a turn buckle at the very front using the side panel hinges. Kinda a PIA to fasten & unfasten, but doesn't go any where or flop around.

Tom T.

 

Do you have any pictures ?

 

In regards to holding down just the top hood section, no sides- on a 29 Model A coupe Have the same issue and question
I don,t like the strap method,velcro etc. I would rather bolt it down , although I want it easy and quick to remove and a ( clean look).. Any other ideas ?? Gene in Mn

 

One of the members suggested using Dzus Buttons. Excuse my ignorance but what are Dyus Buttons? Any pictures ?

 

Google Dzus fasteners. Racers use them on fenders, hoods, trunk lids etc.

 

I am with Johnny here. During one of the wars they started using a fastener called a Dzus fastener (button) and they were tits. They work for me.

They are also known as quarter turn fasteners and cam locks. Here is a pic that may help.

 

I did this about 4 years ago. Pull 2 quick pins, and the side hinges up. It requires some welding to the radiator side channel.

 

Monte, that is darn close to what I did on my 5 window.

 

Instead of velcro what about a couple of those really strong/small magnets?! The weight of the hoods sides will keep it closed except when flying over bumps! Right?!
6sally6
What do I know...I gotta Mustang (although it was a REAL surprise when the hood came up while at speed!!)