Fiberglass hoods: Who make the best who not to buy from?

I'm putting a new hood on my 66 Chevelle Malibu, and I'm pretty sure I want to go with a bolt on fiberglass hood as opposed to a stock steel hood. Really solid used ones are hard to come by and shipping on them is terrible. I'm going to be having the body work done on my car in the next 6 weeks and I need to place an order for a hood. New stock steel is the same price as a bolt on fiberglass unit. So has any one had good or bad experiences with fiberglass hoods and the companies that make them?



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I like US Bodysource stuff. Good fit and quality as far as glass goes.

Want a bolt-on hood that looks factory for the price of a lift-off? Buy a lift-off glass hood from Harwood. Grind the outer edges of your steel hood and separate. Remove bottom bracing from glass hood. Glue glass top to metal under-frame. Wa La. Light weight bolt-on that looks factory when you open the hood. I did it. Easy and looks great when done right.

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Triple Black 69 SS 396

Harwood dosent make any stuff for pre-68 chevelles. Try Glasstek out. I got a cowl hood from them for my 66 and its great! Im gonna post pics of it soon.

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66'SS Nitrous Fed Big-Block Chevelle-Houston, TX ACES#3321 "There is no Replacement for Displacement"

[This message has been edited by RatPowr (edited 01-04-2001).]

Oh geeze here we go again.... http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

*cough* Glasstek *cough*

JJ

That's funny. I bought a 66 hood from Harwood. And, not to disagree with Micky, but, I've seen some downright horrble stuff from US Body source. It was a truck hood. That's my experience anyway.

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Triple Black 69 SS 396

Has anybody hear of or had experience with Unlimited Performance Products? http://www.up22.com/

Also does any one have a url web address for Us Body Source?

Thanks.
Whittker

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Whittaker, the general concensus seems to be that Unlimited Products stuff is as cheaply made as it is priced. I've yet to hear anything good about them.

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My Elky Page (http://www.geocities.com/chadjlandry/index.html) Updated 7-21-00
"Think for yourself. Don't let popular opinion make your decisions for you."
Chad Landry
TC Member #643
'68 El Camino

Hey Rat Powr I'd love to see your car. Do you know what sizes of cowls are available. I would be interested in something that was under the 4" mark. Any info would be great!!

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Proud owner of a 66 chevelle thats awaiting a heart transplant.(soon to be 454 powered)YEE!! HAA!!. reguards, Nick a.k.a POPS
Member #387

[This message has been edited by pop (edited 01-04-2001).]

I will be posting pics of it with the hood tomorrow on this site. I dont have the number for Glasstek, but its on the hood (which is at the paint shop) so I will give you the info tomorrow. I think they make a 21/2 a 3 inch and a 4.

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66'SS Nitrous Fed Big-Block Chevelle-Houston, TX ACES#3321 "There is no Replacement for Displacement"

Please Whittaker don't say that bad word, Un*****ed. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif Yeah, but anyway usually their stuff is really thin and poorly made. Their rep. on the phone told me that there products are for "drag racing" and do not have to be of the highest quality http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif Glasstek makes much thicker hoods, which are a little heavier, but their quality is unbelevable compared to, ohh no I can't say it http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

JJ

With all of the varied responses to different manufacturers of glass hoods, I am coming to the conclusion that their products qualities are not steady at all. I bought a glass SS hood for my 69 from Unlimited. I spoke with the guy who made it before he did. I waited 6 weeks to get it, but it was made very well. Fit well as a stock hood. I finished it with many hours of block sanding, as with any other hood. Alot of people never noticed until I pointed it out to them. I won 1st place in a Super Chevy Show with it with alot of competition.
Changing of employees, systistic anomoly, who knows. Get a list of manufacturers, close your eyes, and point. Either that or call someone rather than the pretty girl they have taking orders and let them know what you expect. Ask them point blank if they can deliver. Let them know that you will ship it back if it does not meet your approval. I'll bet that 90% of dis-satisfied customers never even call and complain let alone send the item back. Another option is to buy it at a show. You'll be able to see it in person before purchasing it. Harwood brings alot of hoods to shows and they are all excellent quality. Fiberglass panel making is by no means a fully automated manufacturing process. Individuals make these one by one. It's not like buying any other aftermarket product that I can think of.

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Triple Black 69 SS 396

[This message has been edited by Jimmy P (edited 01-04-2001).]

Does any one have a phone number of URL web address from Harwood. I can't seem to get it through internet searches and I can't find it in the many magazines I have looked through.
United Perormance seemed very knowledgeable and has the info and pics posted on their site with pricing.
http://www.up22.com/chevelle66.htm#H-106




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Harwood Industries
17824 State Hwy 31E
Tyler, Texas 75705
(903) 566-6001

Last time I asked, they don't make a glass hood for the 66 or 67. But hey, give it a try. Let me know, if they do now.

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Don - Chicago 'Burbs
'67 Malibu Street Machine
"Under Construction"
Gold #43
HELP! I'm having an out of money experience! :D

Whittaker,

I used a Fiberglass Trends hood on my 66. Needed quite a bit of work to look good & it's very light-weight (weak). BTW, Harwood doesn't make a hood for our years... I would look into the Glasstek hoods if I were to do it again. I've looked at a few that looked very good from them.

http://chevelles.com/showroom/jake66.jpg

Jake

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Black 66 SS396 www.chevelles.com/feature/september99.html (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/september99.html)
Hollywood Knights - Pittsburgh Chapter
www.hwknights.com (http://www.hwknights.com)
Pittsburgh PA

[This message has been edited by Jake (edited 01-04-2001).]

Jimmy P, I must say that I really like your response regarding Unlimited. That's the sort of thing that we should all keep in mind when buying anything from anyone.

And we mustn't forget the work that still has to be done even on sheetmetal replacement panels that we order. Is it realistic to expect fiberglass to be in perfect condition when we can hardly expect it in steel?

I guess after giving it serious thought I changed my tune. I was thinking of getting a cowl induction scoop and grafting it onto my steel hood in order to save money instead of buying a Harwood. Now I'm thinking of giving UP a chance. I still have about 10 months to make up my mind, though, so I'll probably go back and forth with the decision at least 40 times between now and then.



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My Elky Page (http://www.geocities.com/chadjlandry/index.html) Updated 7-21-00
"Think for yourself. Don't let popular opinion make your decisions for you."
Chad Landry
TC Member #643
'68 El Camino