Cascade Crew

Schultzy89GTA · Last edited by Schultzy89GTA on Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:08 pm; edited 1 time in total

Crewbies,
I found an interesting hood at the swap meet this last weekend. Brandon, Al and I were walking the aisles and ran across a hood that appeared to be labeled as 80 Firebird. It had the 'cutouts' at the front corners for the flip up headlights and my eyebrows went up a bit. Upon closer inspection the small piece of tape on the hood stated 'mid 80's firebird'. It was a thirdgen hood alright. The gentleman selling it said that it came with an 85 firebird that his daughter and son-in-law purchased, was never used and has been stored in his garage. Then him and Brandon got into a mild argument about who has more crap stored at their place but I digress Wink

I got a little excited because it looked like the IMSA hood - which I love - often talked about, rarely seen and as far as we know not in production by anyone. As we checked out the hood the cowl is pretty tall. Negotiated a price with the guy and carried the hood out at the end of the day.

After getting home and doing a bit of research I realized that it is not an IMSA hood. It appears to be a cowl hood based on the IMSA hood (unless they had different models). The IMSA hood maintains a lower profile and the lines are slightly different.

Anyway - I want to chat it up a bit but wanted to get some initial impressions from you guys first.

The hood is in great shape, has the holes for factory hinges and latch. Only one small scratch. Brandon and I set it on the car so it isn't attached or anything in the pics.

-Schultzy

Sellmanb · Member Joined: 30 Nov 2004 Posts: 727 Location: Tigard, OR

That hood looks great! Is it a fiberglass hood, carbon fiber, just painted black? Or what?

IMHO your original hood looks a little better suited for your car though... much more sleeper Wink

QwkTrip · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject:

Not bad at all! Although, I think it would look better on my car. Very Happy

I need something like that for the supercharger. Wink

Is there a brand name on it anywhere? I wonder if they make other styles too?

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:36 pm Post subject:

Dude, that hood looks perfect on that car. Really works with the swept nose better than a normal cowl hood would have. Thumbs up

Are you gonna paint it to match, or go for the two-tone ricer look?

Al Hasse · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:50 pm Post subject:

Looks good! Probably look much better painted to match. What's it like looking over the cowl from the inside?

QwkTrip · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:09 pm Post subject:

What does an IMSA hood look like?

Demon · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject:

if anything that just adds to the good looks of the GTA ... painted body color with some lettering on the sides of the cowl in gold outlines might be pretty nice...

there wasn't by chance any T56 ripper shifters floating around there were there? Embarassed

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject:

I'm not a big fan of cowl hoods taller than an inch or two, but this one seems to fit very nicely.

Good score Shultz!

Thumbs up

izcain · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject:

Nice score man that thing looks sweet! It has flair with it! lol Very Happy

I wish they made that one in a 4 inch style. How many inches does that thing sit up?

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject:

QwkTrip · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:56 pm Post subject:

Actually, I like your taller hood better. That was a great find! Probably the best cowl hood I've ever seen on a Firebird! Cool

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Wow, never seen one like it before. I am really fond of the clean lines of your car now, not sure if I like the hood on it or not. Paint might change my mind on that, plus seeing it in person might really look differant. Either way, good score!!

Dewey316 · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:59 pm Post subject:

There goes the sleeper look.

iansane · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject:

The cowl looks good, never been a huge fan of cowls on birds.

The only thing I don't like however is how it ties in up front. That is to say...it doesn't tie in with the body lines at all.

Meh, I'm not a fan of it. Might grow on me but so far nada.

Xophertony · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:09 pm Post subject:

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject:

hehe no problem man. I was actually hoping to get some feedback. I go back and forth on it. I thought that the lines at the front and the angle actually did fit the lines - from some angles it rocks.

Pros - lightweight, unique, doesn't look stock, big hoods get lots of attention, it appears to be a pretty high quality hood, fixes the 'what's modified about this car' issue Wink

Cons - cowl is a bit taller than my ideal, don't like the holes in the cowl, doesn't look stock

I am thinking about getting it painted body color and running it. Maybe I could switch hoods as my mood allows lol. Here is another shot with the driver view:

Interested in ideas of a treatment for the back of the cowl other than the six (yes six!) holes.

Aaron, what lettering would you put on the side? 'Mature Responible Adult'? 'MRA GTA'?

-Schultzy

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject:

Xophertony · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject:

well since the stock look is gone, might as well put it all out in the open and stamp: "6.3 LITER F.I." on the side, just like the formulas had.

you should leave the back of the cowl black, and run your N2O purge out of one of them. it would also be a good place for a shift light if you ever decide to run one.

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject: