Hot Rods Hood sides, or no hood sides.

If I decide to use the hood sides (and that's how I'm leaning, with the teardrop hole cleaned up to let the Hemi hang out in the breeze) I'll probably use Dzus fasteners for all of it, so I can run just the top if I want. I'm thinking I'll put a dummy stainless hinge strip on top (to make it look sort of "real"), so the top could be held on by that alone. I'll figure it out as I go.

 

Those wheels and tires are rollers I stole from my long hibernating '59 T'bird. I'll be running 15" Dayton wire knock off's, which I had from my '34 but never really liked them on that car. The more I think about it, just a screen blister with a polished SS or chrome trim to frame it seems like a solution.

 

That's a great name for the car, isn't it?

 

I guess I am one of the anti hood side guys... BUT, so many 32s run top and no sides so they are almost paint by numbers here lately... Run the sides with blisters is my vote...OR no hood at all.

 

And, I want to be different. Just like everybody else.

 

Go with the hood sides.

 

You could run it both ways with the Dzus fasteners.

 

You went through the effort to put a Hemi in that car, covering it up just seems wrong to me, but its your car not mine.

 

I think the style of the car and the vision of the builder dictates whether to run hood sides or not. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder kinda thing. I like both of my 32s without hoodsides - that’s just my vision., But man I have seen some with hood sides that look just dead nuts perfect with them …..

 

Hood sides or not. Depends on what's under the hood being worth showing off, or not. It will run a bit cooler without sides.

 

If you have the room you have 3 genuinely presentable options...I'd use all 3...wall art when not in use...

 

Leave 'em off!

 

Either no hood at all or sides with blisters.

 

Should have put a Corvette motor in it! Besides hoods belong in jail

 

Hemi's are overrated.......

Put the Dzus inside the panels, not thru them. Aesthetics

this may sound odd but, a partial blister that covers the front to keep the bugs/stones for hitting the valve cover, leaving the rest exposed and open for venting. Maybe open it up a tad more

 

Like shell just at the front. Hmmmmm, interesting. Dan Fornier offered to make an aluminum hood for it. Which would be cool, but having someone else make something doesn't seem like me...

 

My vote, sides with screens

 

I'm in the no hood sides camp, but like the idea of having several options from no sides, to sides, to no hood or sides. That way you can have a different look for whatever you want that day.

 

Those Dzus are made for easy access and external use...I guess it gets into that evolution from purpose built Hotrod to Prettied up Hotrod, there was an evolution to that and it may have began when the Shows began in the early 50's

I like both equally but think about that transition often...I can hear Brian cursing already trying to get at the hidden fasteners...

His call of course and both are viable options...

 

First, I like it better without the sides..........

That said, I think I also like it better without the hood as well............

I also think the sides only look good with a blister.......... Looks odd with that funny shaped hole.

All that said, I would moch it up so the sides are easily removable and stored. The hood should also be easily removable as well. Then you can run it in whatever combination of parts you want.

 

Yeah I'm gonna go ahead and say it, don't hate me Brian lol... hood sides are for original cars or street rods, or Bonneville salt flat cars for aerodynamics. So I guess in my opinion, if you're going for a hot rod look, leave them off.

 

It's kind of the other way around: I went to the effort to build a car around that little Hemi.

 

I don't think are that many rules for building hot rods. Just say'n...;-)

 

Rough idea with blister and screen.

 

There was an article in an old R&C or maybe Car Craft where they cut out and laminated louvered metal panels in a 'glass body; maybe vents on the bed of one of Kent Fuller's Volksrods.

Probably easier to just make some metal side panels and have them punched.

And on the subject of side panels; I would say leave them off; but then that DeSoto will need chrome valve covers.

 

Just finish the whole hood, you can always run it with or without to suit your mood,

 

No sides Brian, like mine!

 

My thought was a louvered blister made from aluminum and mounted with hidden studs to the hood sides. Some guys just repurpose a suitable motorcycle gas tank. I always liked how you can see an engine thru the louvered hoods. I'm no artist but made a crude drawing to show how you could get creative with it and accomplish your goal to be different...like everyone else.
It will be awesome no matter what you decide!

 

Your car sure reminds me of Malcolm's roadster. HRP

 

Hello,

You have a very cool looking roadster. It seems like a Hemi sticking out of the hood side panels is something that was an afterthought. Yes, you are making what you thought was a smooth side panel. But, that big Hemi valve cover just reeks of “let me out…”

If you keep the sides open, then you will want to create a nice header system like a flowing over the rails and out of the back. No short "lakes" style header system as the sound would drive anyone crazy. So, a nice design over, down and parallel to the rails, going back to the rear tire. Tight to the frame, but parallel for a smooth design.

Jnaki

The Hemi is impressive, but while you are in the stage of making the motor compartment nice, the cover helps keep the prying eyes away. I see the reason for the side panels. It allows you more time to get what you want to see inside on the Hemi motor. But, during this work period creating the panels and finishing them, (and the days that follow on the road) that Hemi valve cover will get the brunt of the road grime. It will also leave a great target for the attack of the little clods of rocks thrown up by your wheels/tires or other cars on the road.

For the skills that you have, you could create an individual designed header system to fit and flow out of the back. Then, the exposed Hemi motor might be a good look for your roadster. YRMV

Forget the louvers, I was a little crazy at the time and thinking of different ways to incorporate louvers of this old Friday Art drawing. I was happy with the headers leading into a long, muffled side pipe to keep the noise back and away from the driver/passenger. At least your exposed Hemi motor will still get the center of attention… YRMV