Hot Rods With a Hood or without?

The lack of the hood doesn't bother me but flaunting the ugly electric fan does especially if the scene is to project a era in the 60's when people didn't use electric fans. HRP

 

Two different looks. I prefer a hood - top only or full.

 

Just the top for now (the numbers were temporary...gone now)

 

This is a good thread, the pictures really help. I'm going to modify my previous position slightly, I still prefer the early cars with no hoods, but that ends at about 32. The distended firewall starting with the 33's just doesn't look as good as the earlier cars. Billy Bandit's pics show that those cars just look better with a hood top on to partially camouflage the less beautiful firewall, and to keep the lines flowing from front to back. From there on up (in years) they seem to look better with the hood top at least.

I think Ozyrodder's post is really good, showing a 32 roadster in various levels of dress, each one looks great, but something seems to happen when you put the fenders on. Without fenders it looks best with no hood, no side sheets, just open. That gives it a raw, early hot rod style that can't be beat. But with the fenders on, I like the hood top, to keep the lines flowing, but the sides open to show the engine. Full hood makes it look more like just an old car, not so much a hot rod. Nothing wrong with just an old car, but this is a hot rod forum, not an old car forum.

 

I like both depending on how the car is built, I have one with out and 2 with.

 

been contemplating this question on my current build as well. Currently I think I will go hoodless for while but may end up putting the hood top on eventually when I get the 28/29 grill shell installed. (currently running a 30/31 grill shell since I already had a radiator that would fit inside that shell. (budget build)

 

There is never one right answer for most cars. I would prefer the ability to go yes, no, or top only, depending upon the mood or the occasion. I like options.

 

Congrats. That is a forever moment.

 

I have seen this car up close and it is deceptive, it looks like a simple build but on closer inspection the details set it apart from the rest. HRP

 

I get it, I’ve done it, I love it, that’s why I posted

 

<----- hood.

 

^^^Well said!

 

This is definitely a "different strokes for different folks" subject, and along with that, comes the hot rod's style. I like early bodied rods, "T" thru Deuce either way without fenders, fendered, I think at least a hood top.
Starting in '33 (for Fords) thru '37, at least a hood top, with or without fenders. For 38 and later, I just prefer a hood.
I bought my hiboy as a rolling chassis Brookville, and it came with a 1 piece hood top that I haven't finished or installed. Just haven't taken the time to figger out just exactly what method to use to securely fasten it on and still be easily removable. Don't want to discuss it on this thread and hijack it, but in the near future sometime this Winter I may well start a thread on this. So please, keep an eye out for the thread in a month or so if you care to offer your ideas.

 

Hey Dave. Mine is help on by 4 1/4 “ bolts and 4 small brackets mounted to body that have 4 nuts welded on. Comes off in 5 minutes. Next time we are together we can take a look.

 

I'm with dirty old man, up to 32, either way, 33-37 full hood or just the top, 38 and after, it needs a full hood.

That being said, I'll probably drive my 47 Linc around a day or two before the hood goes back on. Easy to spot water leaks and such with it off. Who knows, may have to take the engine back out, it or the trans may not be any good after sitting so long. But after I work the bugs out, the hood is going back on. Love looking down that long hood, it's like driving an extended hood Peterbilt!

 

It's a shame to hide a good looking motor, no hood or just the top...

 

Thanks Danny, 'preciate that.

 

Hoodless for me..

 

Hood on, Hood off, Top on, Top off. I change up the look every now and then to be different.

 

Hood top. Something about the continuation of the body line coupled with seeing what's under the hood is very accentuating.

 

I once had a hood go airborne on me.....
Long story.....

 

^^^^^ How many words does it take to say "forgot to latch it"? 4.

 

...... It flew over the car.

 

When finished it will be without a hood.

 

I run a hood top on my '34. Several years ago I left the hood off for the summer because I was too lazy to put it back on after an engine rebuild. Rained every time I went somewhere in the coupe.

 

My 32 Henry cabriolet hiboy looks good with the hood OFF; how else would you know a fire breathing modified flathead Ford is lurking! 289 incher runs 80 mph in the 1/8 mile.

 

I wouldn't mind wrapping my arms around her... ummmm....... Nevermind!

 

I ran my heavily patina-ed 64 Chevy II wagon w/o a hood for quite some time. My daughter, who loves and tolerates me, asked why I didn’t put the hood on. I told her that people would think it was just a shabby old wagon if I put the hood on. She said that now they were probably thinking it was a shabby old wagon without a hood. (It’s on now since I got it louvered)

 

I run just a hood top.

 

That would look good with or with out a top!