Correct hood latches for early ‘69

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Apr 20, 2022 | 08:40 AM

Hud1086

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 205

Likes: 37

From: Plano Texas

Correct hood latches for early ‘69

Hi all,

After selling my ‘68 a few years ago I recently bought a project ‘69 to work on and restore.

The car currently has no hood latch mechanisms at all and the hood is resting on the air cleaner so I want to fix it quickly.

The car is an October ‘68 build based on the trim tag so it should be the 68/69e latches but I don’t know if the hood is even the original.

is there any way to tell which latches are correct by the mount hole pattern in the hood? Does anyone have a set for sale?

Drivers side

Passenger side

Apr 20, 2022 | 10:46 AM

kodpkd

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 5,485

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From: Loveland

Here are two pictures of my 68 hood latches.

Apr 20, 2022 | 10:53 AM

Hud1086

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 205

Likes: 37

From: Plano Texas

Thanks! What is the cord that is attached to the driver side that looks like it’s heading toward the front of the hood for? Is that factory or a failsafe you’ve added?

Apr 20, 2022 | 11:04 AM

Bandit54

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 753

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From: Barnhart, Missouri

The hood that you have pictured is a late 69 and later. You can tell by where the rivets holding the mounting plate are located at.

Apr 20, 2022 | 11:06 AM

kodpkd

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 5,485

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From: Loveland

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hud1086

Thanks! What is the cord that is attached to the driver side that looks like it’s heading toward the front of the hood for? Is that factory or a failsafe you’ve added?

That is my emergency hood release. Easy to make and install. The end of it is behind the headlight, just reach behind and pull. I also replaced the cross over cable to the rt side. I hear of to many horror stories.

Apr 20, 2022 | 11:08 AM

Hud1086

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 205

Likes: 37

From: Plano Texas

Thank you, this is the information I needed! I will make sure to get the 69L hardware.

Apr 20, 2022 | 11:36 AM

kodpkd

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 5,485

Likes: 2,193

From: Loveland

http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1968-corvette-hood-lock-comparison/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1968-corvette-hood-lock-comparison-2/

Apr 20, 2022 | 01:07 PM

derekderek

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 13,082

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From: SW Florida.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30444066344...temCondition=4

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May 11, 2022 | 12:10 PM

Hud1086

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 205

Likes: 37

From: Plano Texas

So I ordered 1969L latches but the passenger side doesn’t fit. It seems to be hitting a bump/rivet that won’t let it sit flat and the holes don’t line up.

Can anyone help me determine if they sent me the wrong latch or if I actually do have an early ‘69 hood and need a ‘68 latch?