1960 Top Tank Hood

[John M.]

I have a friend who has installed a new top tank Radiator and support in his 270 HP car and has found that his hood was a very early 60 hood that would not clear the support. It is clearly not a 59 hood as it does not have tha large notch in the front support but the front edge of the support is wider than on my Janury car. This hood must have been only used for a month or two until they used up stock because my base engine January car had the hood that would clear the radiator, but his November car did not! What changes were made on the 61-62 style hood ? Are the changes noticable enough if he ever has the car judged to cost him points? I would presume that any changes to the 61-62 hood were limited to the radiator area only and would render such hoods functional if not correct, Is this correct? Thanks for anyone that might have information on this really obscure issue!

Regards, John McGraw

[Mike E.]

Re: 1960 Top Tank Hood

61-62 hood has a very obvious and visible indented/recessed area in the front center on the underside for clearance of the top center radiator bracket. John, help me understand the statement you made on the "not a 59 hood" that it "does not have the large notch in the front support". My experience is that the 59 hood has less of a relief in the support than does the 60.
Mike Ernst

[Loren L.]

I agree with Mike - "large notch" =s

61/2 hood, to me.

[John M.]

Re: 1960 Top Tank Hood

Mike,
I have a hood on my 59 that I allways just presumed was the original it ahs about an 8" notch in the center of the front support. Are you saying that this hood is probably a 61-62 hood? If so, His problem may be solved since I will trade him that hood for the one that came off my 59 since the 59 is going to be a hot rod anyway!

Regards, John McGraw

[John M.]

Never mind!

I finally just got off my ass and went out to the shed and measured the hood that I thought was a 59 hood, and sure enough it is a a hood that will fit the aluminum radiator support! The front reinforcment is only 5" deep while the 59-early 60 hood has a 5 3/4" depth of front support. His hood is obviously a left over 59 hood! I never thought why the hood that I came with my 59 project had the notch, but now it makes perfect sense, because it is a 61-62 hood. It is amazing how we get so focused on our own particular year and never give a think to what came on other years.

Regards, John McGraw

[Mike E.]

Re: Never mind!

John--
No to worry! Been there, done that! I've paid much "tuition" money to the Corvette hobby over the last 30 years in barking up the wrong tree and buying the wrong parts. Glad we go things solved!
Mike

[John M.]

Re: Never mind!

My buddy will be tickled as a pig in slop now too, since I can trade him straight across for the hood I have! It may not be correct by judging standards for his car, but at least it will clear his support.

Regards, John McGraw