Steel Long Hood with Short Hood Latch

[lsf911]

I am looking for a source that sells a steel long hood with a short hood latch location on it for a backdate project. I noticed TRE sells them but I believe they are fiberglass (not sure). Any suggestions?

Also noticed Chris_seven of Fenn Lane Motorsports (UK) creates an extension piece that he welds to short hoods. He documented it in a thread here.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-discussion-forum/468020-converting-short-bonnets.html

Anybody know of anyone that makes the hood extensions here in the US?

[jittsl]

Never heard of a short/long hybrid in Steel (although there are plenty in fiberglass). Will say however that it's relatively easy to replace the closing panel (the one that runs across the front of the body) - drill out the old one and weld in the new one. The part is available from Restoration Design for a couple of hundred bucks and makes your whole backdate look much more correct.

[TRE Cup]

Hi
we only make a fiberglass short frame, with reinforcement, long hood outer.
We have modified a client's steel long hood to accept the steel short frame from a donor. But this is not something we regularly want to do. Just not that many short hoods that deserve cutting up and it is a pile of hours to do it right.
Chris' product is a good one , but no one in the usa is making the same.

Regarding backdating the latch panel; it is NOT cheap and once you factor the latches needed, its an easy $700+ for something that is not easily reversed. Add in cost of a new repro long hood (found how many rust free long hoods at good pricing lately?) Now you have some serious $ in the conversion
But ultimately it is the most correct method

So it depends on your goals and budget

[Elombard]

I have been trying to get a price from Fenn Lane on the extension for months but I dont get a reply to my e-mails. Do they sell just the part or do they only want to do it turn key? I imagine its challenging to get it lined up and looking proper in the home garage. Maybe I could ship my Hood to TRE and have them weld it on :-)

[lsf911]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

I wanted to do the backdate (bolt on) with the thought of it being reversible, so I don't really want to cut out the original latch panel. I had a fiberglass ducktail lid on the car for a short while and I just don't like using fiberglass unless it's the bumpers.

I never thought of modifying a long hood as TRE Cup mentioned but I am sure that would be costly. I already have a spare short hood and thought Chris' idea was great. Would love to get a hold of the extension piece.

Erik, I also emailed and PM'd Chris with no response. It looks like the extension piece is listed on his web site for sale as well as their services to do the job. Have you tried calling him? I haven't yet.

[Elombard]

I did not realize they had a web site. I thought I looked for it once?? I have not tried calling.

http://www.imptechnic.co.uk/porsche%20panels/index.html

Looks like the steel long bonnett to fit SC is an exchange only deal. Not an option with shipping.

[jittsl]

If you want it reversible then I can't imagine why you wouldn't buy it from Dave. I have one of his on my RSR (wannabe) and if you do a good job with the paint you would not be able to tell from 5ft.

[lsf911]

Laurence,

I guess my preference is a steel hood over the fiberglass. I have heard TRE makes a great product and I may go that route.

But, I figured I have the extra short hood, so if I could get that extension, I could weld it on myself and have a steel long hood that would match up to my latch panel for a reasonable price. Plus it's a street car so I don't care about weight. In the past, when I have purchased fiberglass pieces and have them worked, fitted, and painted, the end cost is higher than paying extra for metal pieces. That is just my experience.

It looks like I may have to go fiberglass if I want to do this.

[Elombard]

Lou another option is just to stick a long hood on there and strap it down with the rubber 911r holders. Its not perfect fit but very reversible and looks pretty good. Then maybe down the line you could change the latch panel if you decided not to change it back.

[lsf911]

Erik,

I like that idea and the look. But then the contents of my trunk would be fair game to anyone if I parked it anywhere.

Is that what you are planning on doing?

[Elombard]

I did one back date like that a few years ago. My hobby cars are always kind of 3rd cars and I dont really drive them anywhere that some one would have an opportunity to mess with them. You could possibly install a locking hold down like they use on race cars if you wanted to fabricate the mounting - pretty involved to make it look nice.

[Uwon]

Lou, here you go. Post #19
Evolution of a Carrera RST
Cheers,
Johan

[lsf911]

Johan,

Sorry to hear about "revenge".

Thanks for sharing your thread with me. You do awesome work! The car is looking great and that latch section you welded in the long hood looks perfect. I definitely don't have the skills to do that.

Did you cut that latch section out of a short hood or did you fabricate it?

[Uwon]

Lou,
The section was cut out of the crashed car and hammered into shape to fit. Lots of grinding and swearing!
Johan

[lsf911]

Johan,

I went back and reread and noticed you cut it out of your damaged short hood. Really nice work.

I also noticed you used GT-Racing bumpers. How was the fit out of the box?

[Uwon]

Lou,
GT Racing bumpers were pretty good,shaped well and not much dressing required. I did find the upper lips too short for attachment to the front fender bottoms so I grafted some aluminum underneath to reinforce.
Johan

[lsf911]

Johan,

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

[jittsl]

Just to give another perspective. I have a small business that does several backdates on a yearly basis and we have had very mixed results using GT Racing fiberglass parts. We use their bumpers but fully expect they will need to cut, shut and reshaped which is no big deal but we will not use any of their other fiberglass parts. My opinion is that you are better off to pay more for better quality parts.

[lsf911]

Thanks Laurence. I have heard that from someone else as well.

Who would be at the top of your list?