Running without a hood
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Running without a hood
Guys is it against the law to run on the road without a hood on your car? I have historic tags and custom car insurance.I am testing the engine and car out and fixing everything that is leaking or a problem and dont want to put the hood on yet ,it would get in the way,plus i can show off the custom engine a little too 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,332
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
Lot of hot rods, you know the ones where a fiberglass tub replica is the only body they have, run around without hoods.
I think the hood, other than appearance or aerodynamics, mostly serves a safety purpose. If a water hose bursts, it keeps water/cooland off the windshield. Similar for a burst gas line - gasoline and fire off of the windshield.
..........oh, another reason. It keeps people from stealing stuff off of the engine.
I think the hood, other than appearance or aerodynamics, mostly serves a safety purpose. If a water hose bursts, it keeps water/cooland off the windshield. Similar for a burst gas line - gasoline and fire off of the windshield.
..........oh, another reason. It keeps people from stealing stuff off of the engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Lot of hot rods, you know the ones where a fiberglass tub replica is the only body they have, run around without hoods.
I think the hood, other than appearance or aerodynamics, mostly serves a safety purpose. If a water hose bursts, it keeps water/cooland off the windshield. Similar for a burst gas line - gasoline and fire off of the windshield.
..........oh, another reason. It keeps people from stealing stuff off of the engine.
I think the hood, other than appearance or aerodynamics, mostly serves a safety purpose. If a water hose bursts, it keeps water/cooland off the windshield. Similar for a burst gas line - gasoline and fire off of the windshield.
..........oh, another reason. It keeps people from stealing stuff off of the engine.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Thanks for the replies,i dont know but if i get pulled over i will just tell the police i just put it together and im testing the engine for any problems.I too see older hotrods running without a hood,but didnot know about if the vehicle was a little newer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 51
From: Cartersville GA
Don't know the laws in your area, but I see folks driving around with cars missing alot more than hoods on a daily basis here.
I did it for a while years ago with another car, got no grief from the local PD. I can't think of any safety issues or reasons they could ticket you, unless they just have a particular law (probably more likely in CA as they have a law against almost everything!)
I did it for a while years ago with another car, got no grief from the local PD. I can't think of any safety issues or reasons they could ticket you, unless they just have a particular law (probably more likely in CA as they have a law against almost everything!)
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Don't know the laws in your area, but I see folks driving around with cars missing alot more than hoods on a daily basis here.
I did it for a while years ago with another car, got no grief from the local PD. I can't think of any safety issues or reasons they could ticket you, unless they just have a particular law (probably more likely in CA as they have a law against almost everything!)
I did it for a while years ago with another car, got no grief from the local PD. I can't think of any safety issues or reasons they could ticket you, unless they just have a particular law (probably more likely in CA as they have a law against almost everything!)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
I would guess this is what they would hit you with in NJ too, saying the car wouldn't pass inspection without it so it shouldn't be on the road without it. Of course, if your town is fairly normal, I wouldn't hesitate to take my car out for a test ride on back roads in town without a hood, and if I got pulled over, just tell the local cop that is what I am doing if he stops me. If I am less than a mile or two from my house, and have a 40 year old car that is registered and insured etc, I would think the cop a dick if he did more than say "get this heap back to your garage NOW!" Just my opinion, but it sounds like you would be taking a lot less risk than riding habitually with no front plate IMO, and folks with C5s and C6s do that near me all the time. Of course, if you stink like beer while doing your test run, all bets are off!!!
Going 'topless' could be against the law. 
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Gotham City CA
Even if it is, you have to have a cop who's a real horse's patootie to write it. Example: in CA (yes, land of abundant regulations) it is illegal not to have your rear wheels covered by fenders, yet there are a ton of '32 rods that don't. Cops normally don't bother them. A CHP officer told me that he has better things to do than that. BUT if you get stopped in one and mouth off to the cop, better figure on a fix-it ticket that will ruin your ride.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,332
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
Although they have a law against just about everything in California, the laws don't apply to illegal immigrants. No income taxes, free education for their children, welfare entitlements, free medical care at emergency clinics, etc.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Don't know about the legal issues, but without a hood you may run into cooling problems. Because of the tilt of the radiator, air will be free to flow over the top of the radiator, rather than through it. Found this out while test running my new 383 (without the hood) on the freeway. Put the hood on, problem solved
Just something to consider
Just something to consider