we had a 83 delta 88 diesel last summer with 30,000 miles. it had an aluminum hood. did all the diesels have this hood in 83? we had several early 80s 88s and 98s some gas and some diesel and this is the only aluminum hood we seen. (other than the 77 pace car). a guy crossed the center line and hit my dad and totaled the car but the hood survived.(dad did to) what can anyone tell me about this hood?

 

I came across a similar vintage Cutlass with an aluminum hood a few years ago. I don't know for sure, but I believe there were a few years/models that got aluminum hoods. John

 

I've only ever found them on 83' models. They are few and far between. I've come across 4 or 5 in my lifetime, but most were on front end wrecked cars and unusable unfortunately. I did see one on an 83 custom cruiser once as well.
I have no idea if there was a specific assembly plant that used them.
I have an 83 aluminum hood on my 85 right now and am always looking for another In the chicago area.

 

I had a 83 Delta 88 with a 307 and it was hit in the front end. I got a front clip off an 84 and put it on the car. The 84 was a diesel. I first noticed that some of the diesel hoods paint was missing and it was clean metal underneath. I was also in Chicago at the time. I thought it was odd it was not rusty where the paint was removed. Then I realized why. I could pick this hood up all by myself no problem it was aluminum! I have been told most diesels had extra aluminum parts to lighten them.