Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

Just looking to see if anyone Here has any experience with aftermarket model a hoods. My 29 is in need of a hood. I have a hood for it but the top passenger side is in pretty poor shape. I have looked some for a original hood but what i have found are similar in price to a new aftermarket hood. I plan on searching longer for a original hood since id rather have a car with parts from ford. But if it comes to it are the aftermarket hoods any good? Fit good?

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I got a 30-31 hood from Brattons in 2016. It fit fine out of the box. A fine point judge could probably tell a difference but I can’t.

This is Brattons description: This is a very good quality hood made by ROOTLIEB CO. Best of two made. Includes steel hinge rods, handles and latch clips.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I’ve used 30-31 made by rootlieb with success
No report for 28-29

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I have a ‘28-‘29 one piece Rootlieb that is a perfect fit

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I also have a Rootlieb hood I purchased through Snyder's. Fits like a glove.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

just buy the original..............

not like a model A is a rarity.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

Other than the ones I’m hoarding......
It’s been ages since I’ve seen a really good top.
Louvers are out there but tops are usually beat up, wallowed around, stretched, hinge broken and hard to shrink
If paying for the work, Rootlieb will save money

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

Another vote for Rootlieb. There are not many good used hoods here. A friend has looked at several,none worth bringing home.

John

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I replaced the hood on our 1929 Town Sedan when I re-did it several years back - the hood fits fine. Also, when we built my nephew's '28 roadster pickup, we put a new hood on it with similar results. I offer this since these two models use different hood tops, and no one else seems to have commented on the '29 hoods - I couldn't tell whether your '29 sedan is a tudor of fordor and each uses a different hood design, I thought that I would offer these comments on both. Good luck. I don't think that you would go wrong with a new hood.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I put a rootlieb hood on my 29 tudor about 40 or 45 years ago and it still looks real good. The best money you can spend on a model A

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I have a good 29 hood. my hood has smooth sides as opposed to the "Briggs" hood that has the continuation of the Beltline from the doors across the gas tank and the across the hood. My 29 needed the belt line to be correct and the hood that was on it did not have it. I'm asking $150, sorry, No pics.
Terry

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I have an after market on my 1930, was on the car when I bought it. One side buckles when I raise it. I would never buy one, but for now i'm stuck with the one I have.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

Antiquepa.....
Do you know who made it? As above and with me, I’ve never had one problem with a rootlieb

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

I have hundreds of original hoods. Email me and I will pick out what you are looking for and send some photos.

Steve Becker
[email protected]

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

The biggest difference you see between an original '30-'31 hood and a repop is, the reproduction doesn't have the radius at the lower rear part of the hood to match the curve of the cowl in that area. They go straight down and stick out at the bottom.

Maybe newer ones are more like the originals the ones from the 70's were like that, lacking the curve.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

Years ago I got a Rootlieb for my 28 Tudor it was a perfect fit, while not judged in MARC or MAFCA fine point judging the A took an AACA Jr at Hershey and a Sr at the spring AACA National meet.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

Post #13, Oldbluoval..Don't know whos after-market hood thats on the car, not on my Roadster, its on my 1930 4 door A, AND JUST ONE SIDE KIND OF BUCKLES WHEN YOU OPEN IT.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

The repro hoods are decent and workable from reports of people with them.

I have looked at them and the difference is the sides are flat. The factory hood is slightly curved to match the rad shell and curved more to match the cowl sides. The curve is also part of the raised area and the louvers. The repros are flat so they can never quite match the curves front or rear so there will be slight gaps. If you know what you are looking for you can tell it is a repro from a short distance.

I believe the top panels are not correctly shaped. You have to bend them to get them to fit.

What kind of a restoration are you doing and what do you 'need' to have. Personally I feel the factory clean fit is a better look as the repro always looks off once you see it.

I am sure Steve Becker has some nice original hoods and he does have a great reputation.

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

Looking for an original hood for a 29 roadster

Re: Are aftermarket hoods any good?
 

Looking for an original 29 roadster hood