I have been searching the forums for a while and did not find any definitive information about these hoods.
Was the original W25 hood stamped steel for both the frame and skin?
From what I've read there are 2 aftermarket hood makers, can someone tell me how good of quality these are and how hard are they to line up properly? The aftermarket ones are fiberglass skins, correct?
I will buy a Cutlass right after I sell my current project car, so need to know what to look for.
Thanks for any help!
Matt

 

I got a Thornton hood and it is in my opinion high quality. Price was 2500.00 though. The fit is very good. The other types you can get are the all plastic which require softer hood springs to prevent warping. Don't know quality of those or the other metal frame/fiberglass skin hood makers. Good luck.

 

The original hoods were fiberglass tops bonded to metal frames. The thornton hoods are the closest thing you will find to original. All the other reproductions range from junk to fit ok but not great. What year are you looking for? Some of us here have originals for sale. You may post the state you live in and maybe someone close to you will have a used one for sale.

 

Oh, the originals were fiberglass. Thanks, that is good to know!
First I need to get a car, then I will look for a hood. If people on here do have original hoods this will be the first place I post to look for one. I live in IL, west of Chicago.
I don't suppose you know of someone that wants to sell a '70 or '71 442 vert project car? I've been looking all over the place and they aren't easy to find.

 

Matt here is a link to my experience with a Glasstek hood. In the end it came out looking good but it took a lot of work. I would start with a better quality hood the next go around. Good luck on your search for a car.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-oai-hood.html

 

Samson, thanks for sharing your nightmare experience. Sorry you had to go through all of that. I have heard a lot of good things about the Thornton hoods on here. Sounds like it will actually save me money in the long run to spend extra up front.

 

I have some original 70 OAI hoods in Indiana. I am not ready to sell them yet but you may check with me when you are looking for one and maybe by then I will be ready.

 

That is cool of you to offer. If I end up needing one I will check with you. I was looking only at cars with the OAI hood because owners I have talked to that have replaced hoods said it was a PITA to line up. They strongly recommended I get a car with one already properly installed. Is that true?

 

There is a tremendous amount of adjustability designed into the hood hinges but with a poorly made hood the problems aren't really able to be adjusted out. It seems best that you begin with an OEM original or a Thortons.

 

I also have a original '70 OAI hood & A '71-'72 hood that needs a little work. When you're ready, Jensen & I will be here, hopefully.

 

I have a couple of 70 and one 71 442s for sale also several cutlass conv for sale and a brand new 71 thornton hood in the box for 2300 also some used 70 and 71 ram air hoods if any interest call me 813 267 5107

 

Ok, thanks to you as well for the offer.
If that is your Cruiser in your avatar it looks great with the OAI hood on it. I didn't know Cruisers came with that hood. My Grandfather once owned a Cruiser, I have fond memories of that car as well.

 

They didnt come stock with that hood but allot of people add them because they love the look of the hoods.

My 72 VC will have the drag version of the hood i am thinking for when i get to it

 

I just checked out your resto thead. That should be one bad VC when you are done. I'm not familiar with the drag hood, will have to search that one out. Would like to see the car when you are done!

 

A drag hood is just an OAI hood with larger scoops in the front, making it a lot taller and meaner

 

In a couple months I'll be in the market for an OAI hood for my 71. I'll probably bite the bullet and get a Thortons hood unless I can find an original hood. I've read several threads on here about glasstek and fiber concepts hoods that I'd rather just spend the money at once instead of spending it in the body shop.

 

dfire, you live really close to me (I'm in Hampshire, IL). Is your 71 a 442 or Cutlass? Is your car a project, or just wanting to add the OAI hood?
Yes, I agree, from what I've learned on here it sounds like either an original or Thornton's is the way to go.

 

Matt you are really close to me.
My 71 is a 442. I guess you could say my car is a project, since there's so much work I have done and are going to do with it, but it is up running and driving. I want to add an OAI hood for the ram air benefits and the "coolness" factor. It really makes the car.

Dave

 

100% agree with you about the hood, I love the look of the scoops - hence the thread.
Good luck on your project Dave. Maybe I'll see you at a local car show, hopefully with my very own 442!

 

Worthwhile to mention the Parts Place/Tamraz hood - steel frame with fiberglass skin, under $1000, and can usually be installed and adjusted pretty well.
Steve

 

Steve I was just looking at The Parts Place websight and I seen the same thing. But it's $2495 for the 71-72 hood. The same price as Thortons. I wonder if it's the same hood made by thortons. Who else makes a Fiberglas hood with a full metal frame?
Matt that would be good for the both of us because The Parts Place is in Dekalb, so it's close enough to pick up. Thortons charges a couple hundred to ship their hoods, so that would save money on shipping.

Matt keep in mind that the hoods are differant for a 70 and a 71-72. The 71-72 hoods seem to be more expensive for some reason. Keep that in mind when your looking for a car.

 

You are right and I am wrong - I'm only working on '70s, and mistakenly thought there was a PP/Tamraz aftermarket steel frame OAI hood for '71-72.
Steve

 

Steve and Dave, thanks for the heads up. If PP is in Dekalb, that would save me a bunch o' money to pick up. I did know the 70 and 71-72 hoods are different, they eliminated that "tooth" for the later models.
Strange, I would think that tooth would make it harder to produce and therefore more expensive.

 

The tooth is just a bolt on piece. You have to buy it separately.

There are mixed reviews on here about The Parts Place, but you can't beat their prices for the same parts everyone else sells. They are kind of a bunch of knuckle heads to deal with but nice guys. I always go and pick my parts up so I know I have the right stuff. It's about 45 min from my house.