jr73

This explanation makes the most sense to me

buckhorn 76

removing the ignition shields and doing any distributor work would be more difficult, i'd think. i'm glad it opens the way it does when i'm doing any work back there.

fred68

was at a GM car show in 1968,this smart ??? high school grad ask this question the GM rep said the speed answer,thats how far back I know the speed answer goes

MrJlr

I just dont see an advantage either way....

Easy Mike

Excuse me. McLellan and Palmer came on the scene long after Corvettes had front hinged hoods.

Arkyvette

So were back to "because its cool" ?

scottyp99

I don't see what all the fuss is about. The answer to this question is very simple: The hood on a Corvette opens the way it does because Zora Duntov wanted it that way. Next question?

Scott

MrJlr

That's like saying "because it does"....

I was wondering if there was a legitimate engineering reason or something else maybe.....

RF1979C3

Because Duntov wanted it that way.......

Vintagevetter

Corvette engineers REALLY got it right on the C4. It opens towards the front...AND gives complete accessibility to the engine, front suspension and anything else you need to work on in that area
Plus it has a very high "cool factor"

Sunstroked

My guess would be the influence European cars had on design. Sports cars were just built that way. Look at today's automotive styling, they all copy each others trends.
The benefits of the rear opening probably were considered as well.

68/70Vette

Yes, the tradition hood hindge near the window.. if it doesn't smash the windshield, it bends over the roof line. Pandemonium if this happens at night. You have to roll the window down and hang your head out to see.

I once drove one of my C3's with the hood unknowlingly unlatched. Air pressure caused it to raise up about a foot in front of the windshield wiper door. It just stayed levitated in that position. No big control problem seeing ahead. I suppose you could pop it open while driving with a severe heating problem. Rapid braking might cause it to move forward and latch however in the full upright position. .

rafalc

Friend's LS1 Nissan 240sx hood opened while on the highway, now he installed pins in the front, no need to worry with our hoods

Tom454

It's so obvious... it was designed that way because they anticipated I would want it that way. So simple. Duh.

Easy Mike

I don't want to rain on your parade, but Zora Duntov was not working for GM when the Motorama and 53 models were designed. Each had front hinged hoods.

reefdiver

My belief is it (the hood) was a sign of the times in the high end sports car market (Porsche 356, Ferrari 225 Sport Berlinetta, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat V8). Let’s face it, Chevy was trying to wiggle into this niche and they did a damn good job! I think it was just a good business decision. “Make a product which resembles the competition at a better price. Hell, Hyundai is trying it every day!

Schaggy

My $.02....

One of the things I've noticed is that the C3 was designed by engineers for engineers more than any other common American car of its era. If you consider the bend-over length of the 'header panel', the mildly lighter hinges for front-open (no springs) and the fact that you can pop it while driving or after stopping for extra cooling... It just seems like an engineer-y thing to do.

AGVI

Page 4 anyone?

ClassicGlass63

It is not always the case, but the basic rule of thumb is:

Is the hood blended into the body where there is a body in front of it, if so, it opens backwards.

If the hood is the leading edge of the car, it opens what we call normal.

I hope I explained that well enough for you to understand

MrJlr