I am considering installing a OAI hood on my car and have heard about Thornton Hoods. Where can I find them for sale?

 

http://thorntonmusclecars.com/produc...e-ram-air-hood

 

Did they ever make 71-72 hoods?

 

They did. If you call them they might be able to give you an idea if they'll be getting another batch

 

I recently spoke with both Thornton and Fusick (who sells their hoods) and was told by both that the mold they use had been "damaged" and would take probably a year or so to repair. Both are out of stock on '70 hoods and will be for at least that long. It seems likely, given the differences that the 71/72 hoods probably use a different mold though so call and check with both. BTW, the new price will be $2,995

 

Do Thornton hoods match the OEM hoods in the way they look, fit, etc...?

 

They have the best repop hood out there. It is as close to original as you are going to get. The price reflects the better quality. In the short term, the originals started going up again because of them being out of stock

 

My OEM hood would have required a lot of work to fit the fender profile. I bought a Thornton and it fit much better than my OEM hood, and it had much less mismatch at the front and rear corners. The painter said the swap saved about 60 hours of body work.

The only visual difference between the two was the wire mesh over the engine area. The mesh on the Thornton didn't have a binding at the rear. Otherwise the hoods appeared identical.

 

VC455

Exactly right. I was able to buy one of the last available 70 Thornton hoods for that very reason. The blue 442 I did had as OE hood on it and my body shop had 50 or so hours into it to make it look good. At the end of the day, it's way more cost effective to use the Thornton hood regardless of the cost to buy.

 

Great info, thanks all!!

 

I am surprised at this. My body guy has used one and also used a couple original hoods. He said the Thornton hood was very nice but needed some work. He said he preferred using an original as long as it is not broken up or rusted out. I do know that both of the originals he used did match the fenders really well. Some of the originals do sag a little in the middle on the passenger side.

 

On the factory hood along the sides its a V but on Thornton's hood its a square along the side.

 

Thanks for all responses. One more question: Has anyone had experience with Fiber Concepts' or Tamraz's bolt on OAI hoods?