Just looked back at the photo posted in #1 and it sure looks like the typical hood catch damage on these cars. Bad news is it is not easy to repair and good hoods are hard to come by as almost all of them ended up this way sooner or later. If it still has the original catch I would remove it. Don't think the hood condition has any connection to the radiator.
JSeery, for me one of the worst parts of the car is the hood. The guy I got the car from has a hood just not sure if I will be able to afford it when the time comes
Definitely the 38s weak spot!