Received the uber-detailed hood latch mechanism from Norwood who shamed me into getting one for the never-ending project. Installed it just in time for my hood to arrive.
Here is the installed hood latch looking all pretty and original.
Thanks Norwood! Youdaman!
You might notice the rubber vacuum line wrapped on the hood spring. It helps to prevent the huge gouges that the hood spring makes in the paint on the underside of the hood. Looks kind of cheesy but until someone comes up with a better idea, this seems to be the prevailing idea.