[Bentwheelbob]

I have a question on original Formula hood finishes. As original, what was the finish of the underside of the hood? Was it blacked out with overspray, or was it left bare fiberglass with only primers and finish paint overspray? Thanks for any help and any pictures you may have.

[The Boss]

This is how the hood for your black car came from the factory. I had originally thought the black was the color of the plastic they used but it actually looks to be white with a primer of some kind sprayed over it.

You can see in places the direction of the paint spray, where it cast shadows of white that didn't get covered. Come to think of it the couple of times I have cut the scoops on these cars, the dust or chips from the scoops were white too.

[The Boss]

Here is a 70 hood that also shows the white area in the upper section of the grill under-structure with overspray at the top of the hood and just a hint of it at the leading edge.

My other 70 unfortunately isn't shot from the right angle to tell how the upper area is done but does show more overspray on the sides. I can pull that one out and get more pictures if you need them.

[keith k]

On my unrestored '70, the underside of the hood is painted black, with just a bit of body color overspray around the edges. The natural color of the fiberglass underneath the paint is white.

One interesting thing is that the slots where the Ram Air grilles slide through appear to have been cut AFTER the hood bottom was painted black, as the walls of the cutout are all bare white glass - no paint.

[Formulabruce]

The white is the Gel coat, but it's not consistent on the underside, like the inside of a boat, which has little. Great Pics Chris. I have a very original '73 and it looks just like these pics on the underside.

[tdavidl]

so speaking of these hoods and cutting open the nostrils to add ram air, I have a non-RA, numbers matching 71 formula 400, lets assume its worth $15k as a standard 400....if I cut the hood and added the RA components underneath & rebuilt the engine to RA III specs do you think this would increase the value or hurt the value ? any opinions ?

I recall someone saying don't touch the hood, these uncut hoods are getting harder to come by....

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by tdavidl

so speaking of these hoods and cutting open the nostrils to add ram air, I have a non-RA, numbers matching 71 formula 400, lets assume its worth $15k as a standard 400....if I cut the hood and added the RA components underneath & rebuilt the engine to RA III specs do you think this would increase the value or hurt the value ? any opinions ?

I recall someone saying don't touch the hood, these uncut hoods are getting harder to come by....

Is "your" value always in "Dollars" ? Keep it stock looking ( cut the hood "CORRECTLY" , R/A manifolds etc. and you'll Not loose $$, and you might "Gain" some personal Value IF you like the car more, show it more, etc. Probably Gain some $$ value as well. Keep the old air cleaner..

[tdavidl]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

Is "your" value always in "Dollars" ?
when I'm asking about value, yes...and to be specific, my real concern is NOT losing value by doing these modifications....don't really care if it adds $$value or not...

Keep it stock looking ( cut the hood "CORRECTLY" , R/A manifolds etc. and you'll Not loose $$, and you might "Gain" some personal Value IF you like the car more, show it more, etc. Probably Gain some $$ value as well. Keep the old air cleaner..

thx for the opinion...

[The Boss]

My feeling has always been that these should have been open from the factory - Ram Air or not.....I've cut several over the years and felt no remorse whatsoever.

[Norwood]

Maybe I should reproduce the block off so people can glue them back in

[Judge273]

I like that comment. Plus the spoiler removal plugs. The new desirable features...