Repro Chally Hoods

[MyMopar]

Does anyone have any experience with the reproduction Challenger hood (with dual scoops)?  If so can you please share and what you think of the fit, quality etc..  Thanks, John.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have seen them in person , the hood worked out fine 

[Green Drop Top]

I'll start by saying that they are a nice part, but they are not perfect in several areas. The biggest issue I noticed was that the example I had was made from thinner gauge steel that an original, and the steel itself seemed to be softer as well (maybe a lower carbon steel?) So, the hood was VERY dent prone, just pressing firmly with a finger could put a dent in it. As for overall fit, it was a bit smaller than an original in all areas, not much, but I noticed it. Also, they didn't come with the hood scoop inserts when I bought mine, I don't think they do now either.

I believe the reason for theses differences is due to the use of this different , thinner, softer steel is due to the type of molds they are using to produce them, it is a cast resin type mold, they can't stamp the heavier steel with these molds so that's what you get (Most if not all of thier sheet metal is made this way BTW). It's simple economics, doing steel tools for small volumes would not typically be cost effective.

Bottom line, if you don't have a choice buy the reproduction, they are ok but need finish work to be nice. If I were to do it again I'd find an original that's in nice shape and pay a couple hundred more to get it if I had too, it would save allot of finish and fit work and be a sturdier part to boot.

[rallyechall]

I have a new hood myself, and I am about to start body panel alignment. I will let you know how it works out for me.

[MyMopar]

Wow, thanks for the responses and Harms thanks for the thorough breakdown.  I hadn't considered the reasoning for using lighter gauge material and I have been wondering why they do.  I'll keep looking as I want to dress up the Challenger a bit and I figured either go for a dual scoop hood or do the Shaker conversion. 
I'll have to wait and see what RallyeChall has experienced.  I do know that when I close the hood, I press down on it and I don't want a thinner hood to make me wonder if it will dent or the paint will crack.  Perhaps I'll save for the Shaker conversion if the repro hood isn't all that.

[Mopar73340]

I have a repo hood and while I agree that the metal is thinner than the orignal I do not think it can be dented with a finger. Mine seemed to fit just as good as the original and needed very little finishing work. I looked for a good unmolested one for several years with no luck, so I decided after seeing a frends car with one to go with the repo. It was made by goodmark.

[Green Drop Top]

I have a repo hood and while I agree that the metal is thinner than the orignal I do not think it can be dented with a finger. Mine seemed to fit just as good as the original and needed very little finishing work. I looked for a good unmolested one for several years with no luck, so I decided after seeing a frends car with one to go with the repo. It was made by goodmark.

Trust be, mine could can be dented with my fingers, something I could not do with an original (and yes, after denting the reproduction that way I tried it on my original in the same spot to do a fair comparison).  Also, If you measure an original hood you will probably see the dimensional differences I mentioned, they do vary from originals, at least the one I had did. Peoples opinions of a "good" or acceptable fit, finish, or panel alignment/gaps will vary, so I based my comments soley by my own experience with one of the reproduction hoods, and by comparing factory parts to the reproductions. These comments reflect my personal opinions and experiences only and in no way are meant to knock the vendor or thier parts (hence the reason I left the vendors name out of the post).

like I said, while they are nice parts,  just don't expect them to be as accurate as a clean original hood, they simply are not IMO. But, if you can't find an original they will work.

[Mopar73340]

  The only reason I mentioned the name was the possibility of more than one company reproducing them.

[Tropicalcats]

What would a good condition original hood sell for? I am looking to find one and would like to stay away from the repro ones

[MyMopar]

What would a good condition original hood sell for? I am looking to find one and would like to stay away from the repro ones

One was on e-ripoff for $740 last time I looked online. I didn't follow the auction so I don't know the final selling price. 

[Green Drop Top]

$500-$800.00 is in the ball park last time I checked, of course it will vary with condition. Based on the fact that most originals come complete with the scoop inserts and typically require less finish work they are not that far appart in price as compared to a reproduction. I'm sure as the originals number's dwindle their price will rise, but the availabilityof the reproductions has kept the "must get one now before their gone" pressure off of allot of buyers in that market who don't put alot of importance on originallity, so accordingly the market for them seems to be pretty stable at the moment.

[Mopar73340]

The ones I have seen at Carlisle the last few years have been anywhere from 400-800 but none were in my opinion in that great of shape. Most needed at least the cost of the hood in body work to be ready for paint. On top of that all the ones I saw were drilled for hood pins which I didn't want.