1959 with 1958 hood

[Greg M.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

Would a 59 hood fit with a 60 top tank rad?

No!
I needed a hood for my 1960 fuelie (with top tank radiator) and found a mint hood. After stripping and in primer, once installed it would not close. Turned out to be a 1959 hood. Sold it two years ago at Bloomington and found a nice 1960 hood that would clear the radiator support. Yes, there is a difference between 1959 & 1960 hoods, I learned the hard way!

Greg
1960 corvette

[Ted S.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

Mark, You might want to pull the hood to see if there are date stamps under the hood hinge mounts. On my '58 the hood, trunk lid, and deck lid all had ink stamps showing the manufacture date of the component. If the date is close to the build then possibly. If they're far apart then probably not.

[Joe P.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

No!
I needed a hood for my 1960 fuelie (with top tank radiator) and found a mint hood. After stripping and in primer, once installed it would not close. Turned out to be a 1959 hood. Sold it two years ago at Bloomington and found a nice 1960 hood that would clear the radiator support. Yes, there is a difference between 1959 & 1960 hoods, I learned the hard way!

Greg
1960 corvette

Thanks.. Appreciated..

[James B.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

I know of at least one that came with a '58 hood, and that would be Tom Kemp's car, #4135 http://www.59registry.hypermart.net/kemp59.htm

I've heard of other oddities with the building of these cars as well, since alot of the earlier parts were being used up as much as possible. Keep in mind that the Corvette body had suddle updates and changes from 1958 clear on through 1962, so I'm sure GM recycled extra parts lying around during these times.

Jim

[John H.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

I know of at least one that came with a '58 hood, and that would be Tom Kemp's car, #4135 http://www.59registry.hypermart.net/kemp59.htm

I can't imagine a '59 built six months after the start of the model year getting a '58 hood from the factory, but I suppose anything is possible (but not probable).

[Mike E.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

I know of at least one that came with a '58 hood, and that would be Tom Kemp's car, #4135 http://www.59registry.hypermart.net/kemp59.htm

I've heard of other oddities with the building of these cars as well, since alot of the earlier parts were being used up as much as possible. Keep in mind that the Corvette body had suddle updates and changes from 1958 clear on through 1962, so I'm sure GM recycled extra parts lying around during these times.

Jim

What proof do we have that Tom's car came with a 58 hood, other than hearsay? I bought a 62 that tracked back to the original owner who swore that the aftermarket wheels on the car were on it when he received it from the dealer. Problem is, they were dated 1965.

What basis is there for saying "I'm sure GM recycled extra parts lying around during those times"? Have we talked with someone who was there and knows? Presumptions should not carry any weight as we study these cars--if we go by presumptions, ultimately anything will go, and the juding standard "as it left St. Louis" will be presumed out of existence.

[James B.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

What proof do we have that Tom's car came with a 58 hood, other than hearsay? I bought a 62 that tracked back to the original owner who swore that the aftermarket wheels on the car were on it when he received it from the dealer. Problem is, they were dated 1965.

What basis is there for saying "I'm sure GM recycled extra parts lying around during those times"? Have we talked with someone who was there and knows? Presumptions should not carry any weight as we study these cars--if we go by presumptions, ultimately anything will go, and the juding standard "as it left St. Louis" will be presumed out of existence.

I guess that would be a question for Tom- I never hooked him up to a polygraph about it However I have spoken to many different Corvette owners over the years, and quite a few of them who were there "back in the day" as Dale Jr would say, have told me that they'd seen alot of odd nuances with Vettes that were sold then (and as to the point many have provided here, the changes probably occurred once the cars got to the dealerships rather than leaving the plant that way) . I can totally understand though that for the accuracy of history, more tangible proof would be in demand. Maybe Tom will chime in and provide us with his story.

Jim

[Anthony F.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

I'm the owner of the 59 #41 and would like to know if anyone knows if the early 59s came with old 58 parts. ie hood.
this has been bugging me ever since I bought the car I was going to buy a new 59 hood but the cost is a little to much plus shipping
can anyone help.

Chris,

[Dan H.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

Chris,

Correct me if I am wrong but I did not hear any one talk about the hood prop location. On the 58's, the hod prop was mounted on the passenger’s side of the car and it switched to the driver’s side in 1959. If this is true it would have been an item, I believe, that would not have been acceptable for deviation. Maybe John could add something here?

Anthony, the hood prop changed to drivers side early 58 due to relocation of generator and pulley arrangement which was causing the fan belt to hit the lower radiator hose. These later hoods would be compatible with the 59 set up etc.
Dan

[Joe P.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

Are the 58 and the 59 male/female latch setup the same?

I know the 59 and 60 are definetely different, but can a 60 hood male/female latch set up fit a 59 hood?

Thanks..

Joe

[Dan H.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

The 59 AIM shows the last revision as the 60 style latches, guess they fit?
Dan

[Joe P.]

Re: 1959 with 1958 hood

The 59 AIM shows the last revision as the 60 style latches, guess they fit?
Dan

I tried to put what I thought was a 60 male plate on my hood which I believe now is a 59 hood.... the bolt pattern lines up but the recess for the pins are in different locations.. So either i have the wrong plate.. or they just dont fit..

Can anybody confirm the 60 plate is supposed to fit a 59 hood.. From the pictures and articles I have come across its not clear to me.


Thanks.