Ecklers vs. Sermersheims

[Michael M.]

I wanted to buy an L88 hood for my '68.

Sermersheims sells them for $1,400+ and Ecklers is in the $700 range.

What's the difference between the two. There must be a quality differential but I know Ecklers has been selling fiberglass panels for many years. I searched the archives and Sermersheims is well thought of as well.

Can anyone help? The price difference is significant. Thanks for any replies.

[John H.]

Re: Ecklers vs. Sermersheims

I wanted to buy an L88 hood for my '68.

Sermersheims sells them for $1,400+ and Ecklers is in the $700 range.

What's the difference between the two. There must be a quality differential but I know Ecklers has been selling fiberglass panels for many years. I searched the archives and Sermersheims is well thought of as well.

Can anyone help? The price difference is significant. Thanks for any replies.

Michael -

Most likely the Sermersheim hood is press-molded, and the Eckler's hood is hand-laid.

[Paul D.]

Re: Ecklers vs. Sermersheims

My guess would be press molded VS hand laid. The press molded gives a look that is closer to factory on the back side as it will be smooth on both sides. The hand laid will be rough appearing on the back side and usually considerably less expensive than press molded. I think the same goes for most replacement fiberglass panels. Both hoods should fit and look equally nice from the outside after some body work (and I think both will require some work) but the hand laid will require A LOT of work on the back side to look factory. Chip.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Ecklers vs. Sermersheims

One look at Eckler's website will give you the answer - as John notes, the Ecklers unit is hand laid, i.e. the back side is rough fiberglass.

[Dick W.]

Re: Ecklers vs. Sermersheims

I have never seen any fiberglass that came from Heckler's that was not hand laid.

[Michael M.]

Re: Ecklers vs. Sermersheims

Thanks guys for the quick responses. Makes sense that press molded is more expensive than hand laid.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Ecklers vs. Sermersheims

It was usually the opinion in the past that Eckler's "hand laid" fiberglass panels were of a greater thickness than NOS or perhaps press molded and were, therefore, less desireable. This was specially true when you were trying to get a good gap match say between doors and fenders, etc. I don't know if the same is true today.

Stu Fox