1970 as opposed to 1971 hood

[Stacked440]

I have a power bulge hood but it came with the D-O-D-G-E letters on the front, were they still on the cars in 1971? or did the blackout decal replace them?

[70Cuda]

My 71 has just the R/T sticker on it (like what they cut out of the blackout) but I think you could get the letters too in '71 and later years.  On the underside you can see the spots cut out where the fasteners would attach to the back of the letters too even though it's never been drilled for letters.  There are 3 listings right now on ebay for these letters all all say 70-74 too (search for "dodge challenger hood letters").  Note, two of the listings are from fmmpar (aka Frank at Mitchell Motors Parts - http://www.mmpar.com/mmpars/default.aspx) and he knows his stuff so I'd say yeah, they could have them in other years.

You might be able to date your hood if it has crumple zones in the underframe vs. not having them like I believe the early 70's hoods had until the government made them put the crumple zones in so the hoods would absorb some of a front end impact rather than getting shoved back towards the driver.  At least that's the way it was on the Cudas.

[chevyconvert]

is there any way to tell if you do or don't have the crumple zones? I have insulation also.....

[Chryco Psycho]

there are 2 deperessions in the frame of the hood near the front , post a pic  & i can tell which hood you have

[Super Blue 72]

But if it has the D-O-D-G-E letters wouldn't it make it a '72-'74 hood?  Or did some '71s have this too? 

'71s should also have the chrome trim on the front lip of the hood but I guess that could be added to the later year cars. 

Again,    .

[chevyconvert]

there are 2 deperessions in the frame of the hood near the front , post a pic  & i can tell which hood you have

Does this seem right for a 1970 ? If it is or isn't a crumple type, does that date the hood ?

[fishn4cuda]

71 does not have "Dodge" letters on the hood. The "Dodge" is in the grill.

[chevyconvert]

bump for Chryco...

[Chryco Psycho]

the pic doesn`t show the frame where the crumple depression are , I need a pic of the under hood frame near the side of the hood
 Yes it dates the hood , 71-74 have crumple depressions , 70 doesn`t 

[chevyconvert]

O

[Challenger6pak]

From the pics so far I would say it is a 1970 hood.  The 2nd hole from the left is raised on the newer hoods for the latch.  Also unless they have been filled the newer hoods had holes in the bottom of the hood lip to mount the molding.  We'll have to wait and see if it has crumple zones.

[70Cuda]

There's actually quite a few differences if you closely compare those two underhood pictures.  Notice how the black one has that completely different buldge running close to the front edge of the hood that the orange one doesn't have.

There might be a point there with the '71s having the Dodge in the grill.  My 70 has dodge on the hood and R/T in the grill whereas my 71 has the R/T (sticker) on the hood and dodge in the grill.

Yeah, you need to show the left and right sides of the hood, it's that main brace closest to the fenders that I was talking about but I think the 70 assesment is probably right.  There may have been a certain date (May?) in 70 after which the 70 hoods started showing up with crumple zones too.  The crumples are roughly close to the area the hood pins would be too.

It's also not too hard to see the numbers on the hood too if that helps any.  I recall a posting pointing out differences and including the numbers.

[Challenger6pak]

I believe the bulge or ridge was added to strengthen the hood when it was pushed down to latch or unlatch it.

[FM3V6M]

'70 hood had 'DODGE' letters, no crumple zones and no underhood 'pull-release' in the front...'71's are the opposite: no 'DODGE' letters but both of the other features.

[chevyconvert]

Here you go...Don't know if these #'s are the ones you were referring too...
So crumple or not? (i'm guessin not). Was this lack of the CZ really that big of safety deal?