Clamshell hood ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 818
Likes: 29
From: Nashua NH
Clamshell hood ?
Does anyone know why they did not continue the clamshell hood in subsequent generations of the 'Vette? Is there an engineering reason? Structural integrity reason, or some such thing? 
I love the look of the hood being open. And it makes access to the engine compartment so much easier.
On the other hand, I like that it gives the C4 a distinct identity.
I love the look of the hood being open. And it makes access to the engine compartment so much easier.
On the other hand, I like that it gives the C4 a distinct identity.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 6
From: Mount Sinai NY
If I were to guess, I would go with the cost to insure. If we were to get into a accident it cost more to replace the whole hood than it would cost to replace one section out of the two fenders and a hood. This is my final answer...
Banned Loser
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
I'd guess because when you go from 20,000 to 30,000 plus sales/year to something a great deal less, you change things hoping to revive interest. I'm interested in seeing how the C7 goes. Will it undo the Germans out here? For every Vette, there seems to be 10 Beemer M series, at least 3 to 5 911/Caymens or Boxers (the ultimate Chick car), and the occassional R8 (or if you're in LA, more than an occassional Ferrari) all of which carry a much heftier Sticker, particularly when leftover C6's are being offered in the Low 40's. In the land of the Lease, it's going to be interesting, but we'll soon see what starts showing up in the areas where people seemingly need to show how affluent they want someone to think they are. In the past, Southern CA was 25% of all Vette sales. I think GM needs that if the car is going to continue. GM's Board can rant all they want about how profitable the Vette is, but with a dedicated plant, anything below 20,000/yr probably gets the Bean Counters (or maybe the General Accounting Office since it's still a taxpayer affair) in a tizzy.
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takes the wife's help to get my '87 hood up.....74 years and no rotator cuffs AND did not do my exercises 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,378
Likes: 6,525
From: Melbourne, FL
Probably a multitude of reasons.
First being cost. Those clamshell hoods are expensive to make and to replace. Viper's clamshell hood was the single most expensive body part IN THE WORLD at one point. I'd wager the new ones CF clamshell isn't too cheap.
It adds complexity, adds weight, makes it more difficult to achieve stiffness, etc.
First being cost. Those clamshell hoods are expensive to make and to replace. Viper's clamshell hood was the single most expensive body part IN THE WORLD at one point. I'd wager the new ones CF clamshell isn't too cheap.
It adds complexity, adds weight, makes it more difficult to achieve stiffness, etc.
