hemikc4x4

I just bought a super nice quality 1968 corvette with numbers matching 427/390. And the guy told me that the hood was a true L88 hood not just a reprodution. And it was valued over $6K. I didnt buy the car on the fact if it was real or fake but how can you tell if it is real? And if it is real can it be worth that much just for the hood?

Easy Mike

Give it the once over. You might find a GM part number on it. Back in the day, you could buy L-88 hoods over the counter at Chevrolet.

Does your hood have the air box on it? Are you using the L-88 air cleaner set up?

hemikc4x4

it does have the air box and no im not using the l-bb air cleaner set-up. I will post a pic if i can figure out how

GD70

Go to photobucket.com and open a free account.
After your done, browse for the pics on your PC, pick & download the files. Once downloaded click on and copy the IMG code, mine does this automatically when I move the cursor over the code list below each image, and paste the code in your thread or post. You’re done.

Glenn

A link about original L-88 hoods.

http://books.google.com/books?id=oDc...erside&f=false

Jughead

Don't know how you can tell if one is "real" or a reproduction. Supposedly GM sold the original molds to Ecklers years ago.

Is this one real or reproduction? Is it real or Memorex?

Ironcross

If it has the holes for the 427 numbers, its probably legit! Otherwise no...

63Corvette

Ah....note the "pop-up" cover for the windshield wipers. Many of the aftermarket hoods did away with that piece, and went clear to the windshield. That said, an over the counter, stock "L88" type hood was available from Chevy, and many smallblocks ran it. That doesn't mean thet is is "real" or came from or an L88.....just that GM made it.

DZRick

A real GM L88 hood whether it came on an L88 or over the counter will have this brace.

Procrastination Racing

I'd say the top picture is reproduction. It sure looks like that is rough fiberglass on the underside of the hood skin.

mysixtynine

Here are some shots of the hood I have. It has the brace in the cowl. I don't really think its GM but it has to be an older repro as the quality is real good. Someone did a little "customizing" on the air box I guess to fit an air cleaner instead of the L88 air cleaner setup. The lip the presses up against the lower air cleaner lid and holds in the hood filter element has been removed.

I have never found any GM numbers on it and the bottom surface is pretty smooth (not hairy like most aftermarket hoods). I will say that it fits real nice to the body.

Cowl


bottom

69 Chevy

Horsehockey!

Hoods, like other fiberglass body panels, were not serial numbered like drivetrain parts. If your nondescript hood is worth $6K, then my ZL1 hood



with provenance to this car



when it was owned by Ed Mueller in the mid 80's is worth 10 times as much. http://www.rogerscorvette.com/inv/sp...9ZL1/index.htm

But it's not. I paid $300 for it in '99. Not as a museum piece or some prize to hang over the fireplace mantel because of its rarity. Or because the seller didn't have a clue to its worth, because the seller was none other than Kevin Mackay of Corvette Repair, Inc. It was the only style hood to clear my magneto ignition.

Kevin Mackay replaced the hood because, over the decades, it got tore up just like the one in your pics. Rather than spend countless labor hours repairing it, he chose to replace it with a suitable candidate from a donor Vette.

68/69 Vettes had 3 hood choices: base, high performance, and heavy duty. 80 heavy duty hoods came on L88's in '68. 116 more came on L88's in '69. And 2 more came on '69 ZL1's, for a total of 198. But countless more were sold over the GM parts counter. They are not super rare or worth 6 grand.

0Corvettes by George

1) The original L88 hoods are rare.
2) There was an early and a late design.
3) Only way an original is worth a premium is if a "real" L88 car needs an original hood, or, if someone is "cloning" an L88 and needs an original hood to help "sell" the deal.

There is more info out there----very good archived discussions on the NCRS site.

I have sold originals for $1,500.00 to $2,000.00, and have heard or $2,500.00 being paid----but that's it---never heard of one going higher than $2,500.00 ('68/'69).
An original '67 L88 hood is a horse of a different color.
G

vetternr

I to have tried to get absolute information about 68 and 69 L88 Hoods. I have not found any positive proof in determining a REAL original L88 hood. There probably is a way but I have spoke to MANY experienced experts. I would like to know several things about the L88 hoods that just might make some difference. 1) Exactly where should the hood prop bolt holes be located ? There is two different locations. Some have the mounting brackets installed at both locations. I have seen them located at either position but have never found out why or what is correct. Also there are at least two different rivot sizes and types that hold the prop mounting hardware to the hood. Again, I still do not know what is right or why the differences. The original L88 hoods were press molded fiberglass just like the rest of the body panels. Any hood which has been hand laid fiberglass will be much rougher on the bottom side. NCRS not much help.

Ironcross

if there are no holes for the 427 numbers it could not be a L88 hood

Clubby99

I'll be sure to drill some holes and fill them with Bondo

TheSkunkWorks

Could you possibly PM me with accurate templates (both sides) so I can "correctly" locate them on my incorrect long L88 hood? Had the numbers for a while, but don't want to guess when it comes to punching holes in a perfectly good piece of 'glass. Yes, a 427 BB has lived under it for years, despite it being on a '78, if that matters... TIA

gbvette62

It does appear to be a real GM L-88 hood. Though there is no way of knowing if it had been on a car, or was an over the counter service replacement. The air box has definitely been cut up, which would effect the value. I agree with 1960fi, that they usually bring $1,500-2,000, but with the air box cut up, I would say the value is probably more like $800-1,200.

There won't be any part numbers on the hood, but the air box might have a part number on the under side of it, if you cared to remove the air box.

69 Chevy

Willcox provides the correct dimensions in a PDF document at their link: http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=287

Ironcross

I dont have a template and never knew one existed...I did take a picture for others that requested the location, but the letters are odd .....If there is a template available get it...however the letters look to be close if not the same as on a regular BB hood



also there is one drain hole in the center, not 2 or not 3..just one tiny hole in the center





this all the pictures I could find

TheSkunkWorks

Thanks guys! This interweb thingy might actually turn out to be worth having around afterall.