1932 Hood Prop

[tiger.1000]

Here's a couple of photos of a 32 Hood Prop kit, together with a picture of my 32 British cabriolet.

Does anyone have a photo of the kit installed on their car and better still
a better method of keeping the hood open?

I'd like to make some kind of mechanism to keep my hood (bonnet) open but am not enamoured with the after-market kit. Object of the exercise is to blend it in to the car without being "hot-rod".....no offence to you rodders out there.

 

[1932BB]

When the hood prop is installed and the hood opened, you can see only the end of the hook sticking out from under the edge of the hood. The rest is up under the hood and out of sight. They work well. It will not make your beautiful cabriolet look like a hot rod.

 

[tiger.1000]

1932BB; thanks for that. Does anyone have a photo ?

 

[sonny]

I have that same kit on my 32bb and it works great. And as mentioned by 32bb you can hardly see it.

 

[sonny]

I have a photo, but I can't get it on here. PM me.

 

[Krylon32]

I've used dozens of this type hood prop on the 32 pkg and finished cars I've done. Almost invisible and work good. By the way you use the long arms. Krylon32/Hot Rodder

 

[Ian NZ]

The photo is of the Hood prop on our 32.

 

[tiger.1000]

Sonny, I've PM'd you and Ian do you have some photos side on ?

 

[Ian NZ]

How is this for a photo, I am very pleased with this hood prop.

 

[tiger.1000]

Ian,

That's more like it ! How are things in NZ ? Bloody wet here in the UK !

 

[tiger.1000]

Ian and all......looking at the photo of the kit, there are four hooks with rubbers on the end. One pair of short ones and the other pair longer.

Can I assume that one determines how far the bonnet (hood) is to open subsequently depends on which hook is used? If that is the case does the
hook which isn't used rest in the channel section bar which is connected to the two tie bars that run from the back of the radiator to the bulkhead (firewall).

If the bonnet is closed, do both hooks rest in the channel, side by side ?

 

[itslow]

You'd discard the short hooks, if provided in the kit, and only use the longer hooks. The eyelet end of the hook fits in the "U" of the channel and has a bolt passed through it to act as a pivot.

 

[tiger.1000]

Thanks Mike. I've worked that out with everyone's help and thanks. However I want to fabricate something "more in keeping" than what's available from MAC's, C and G etc.

Anyone made one?

 

[Karl Wescott]

Some adjustment for how far out the hood side ends up is accomplished by front to back positioning of the prop assembly on the radiator support rods.

 

[Carl]

...if I remember correctly, someone made(and offered for sale?), a small simple 32 hood support which fit very near firewall on each side with a single support arm on each side. It was very unobtrusive(not very noticeable).

 

[koates]

Hi there, Yes, they are a hot rod type and require drilling holes in the firewall, so not good for a restored or original car. Regards, Kevin.

 

[tiger.1000]

Having taken some measurements this morning and utilising some bits of dowel, I've come to the conclusion that "the kit" is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard ! ?

Correct me if I'm wrong but the readily available kit seems to be designed for the show car thus enabling admirers to see what's under the bonnet (sorry, hood).

My intention would be to get to grips with wrenches (PUN) (spanners) and carry out maintenance. Taking that into account the kit caters for anyone under 3'9" tall and that excludes most of us; I think.

I have a solution......if I live long enough to fabricate it....WATCH THIS SPACE !

 

[koates]

Hi tiger.1000, Yes you are corrected and are wrong. Ive had one on my 34 ford for 10 years and fitted another on a friends 32 ford and they work a treat. If you are doing a more major job on your engine and are afraid of bobbing up fairly hard and dislodging the bonnet then just hook the bonnet down with a elastic strap for more security. You could be rooting around for days trying to build one and still come up with a not as good hold open. Good Luck, Regards, Kevin.