has anyone here with a '71-2 Cutlass dual-louvre hood opted to paint it flat black in set-off to a different body color?

Just picked a clean one up locally today to strip and paint for my medium red ragtop - so while I'm at it, just wondering if it would look good in a flat black finish or simply like an unfinished paint project?


Not really into stripes so I'd keep it a solid color either way.

Interestingly, the hood appears to still be wearing its own factory red, close but noticeably off enough from the non-OEM red on my car that it will still need a repaint.


Pics?


thanks

 

Nope, that thought never crossed my mind.

 

You have a very nice looking car. I think it would look like the hood needed painting if you used flat black. It would really look like crap. JMHO.

 

I think it is totally up to you and your preference. Go for it if that is what you like.

Although not a "Louvered" hood, Here is a picture of a friend of mine's car.
He likes the "MoPar" look and he has been driving & racing this Cutlass with the flat black Glasstek Hood for the last 15+ years.





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With the stripe up the middle of the hood, it looks like a factory '71 442 hood with the body color louvers. The '72 442 did have 'blacked-out' louvers, which did look nice with the distinct hood stripes outlining the louvers. I do not think the 'blacked-out' louvers would look good with the single stripe up the hood.

When I finally find a good '71 Cutlass w/o air conditioning and needed options options, or a nice non-A/C '71 442 clone, I plan on making the louvers functional. Have not seen any to date that have been converted, but hopefully it can be completed without much fuss.

 

My louvre hood came from a '71 reportedly still wearing its factory paint (and stripe?) The louvres are non functional and appear to be a flat silver color, not chrome - don't know if that was also factory or if a prior owner painted them. They don't appear to have ever been off the hood.

 

Factory is chrome painted over with body colour leaving the ribs exposed chrome.

 

that would make me feel better about attempting to refinish them then.
Flat silver isn't really all that flattering against all that glossy red. Chrome finish would definitely make it pop more.


It probably would look better back in red v. flat black - some A bodies look good with a racing black hood set off but the louvre hood probably wouldn't pull the look off for me. 442 scoop hood pulls it off nicely though.

 

Personally, except for W-25 hood equipped cars and the '69 W-30, I dislike when dual 'racing stripes' or 'SS-type stripes' are painted on the pods of a 69-72 standard hood. I do like the '69 standard hood pin striping that was also available in 1970 as an option.

 

True for 1971 year.
In 1972, true for "S" models only, but were flat black instead of body color on W29 442 appearance package.

 

I think the 72 442 hood lookes awesome with the blacked out louvres and the outline stripes. If it were me I would add the pinstripes on the sides too.

 

Here's a pic of the car I was driving for fourteen years. I sold it over fifteen years ago, but still have a soft spot in my heart for that car. I painted the louvers black with the chrome ribs like a 72 because I liked it. ~BOB

 

Always liked the '72 Matador red 442 in the advertisement with the non-W25 hood and stripes. Never seen one though in person with the white stripes and white interior. It must have been very impressive as the colors and stripe scheme in the advertisement go together very nicely.

Never noticed the blacked-out louvers until someone pointed it out. The other sharp combination from that year is the non-W25 equipped 442 in Radiant green with white stripes and interior.

 

Very nice convertible, like the color combination. Just curious, why the factory side stripes but not the one up the center of the hood?

 

I like the contrast the louvers provide against the blue hood - I think they break up the monotony of a straight hood without being an overdone styling cue.

Not personally a fan of my factory center stripe so that won't be replaced at such time the hood gets refinished. I hope I can safely strip the silver paint off the louvers though, would much prefer them in a chrome-accented finish v. flat paint.

 

It was just my style choice. I never liked the look of the 71 center stripe. ~BOB