fiberglass hood, best co. for fit & finish?

[bowtie65]

I have 65 chevelle, and I've been looking for a teardrop hood for it. Only found it in fiberglass. Glasstek, vfh, Unlimited, Thanks for any info.

[rocketman]

VFN and Glasstek are proably the best on the market,I have used both and the fit and finish on each was very good,you can go wrong either one

[qwik1320]

NOT, I repeat NOT Unlimited Products.

[shmoov69]

glasstek ONLY

[StRacerDuke]

I had an Unlimited hood for my 64 chevelle (2.5 inch cowl unit).

I kid you not, I spent over 30hrs doing body work on that damn thing to get it fixed. Don't waist your money with them.

[gr8pmkn]

i had a harwood hood for my s-10 total junk .i bought a 4 in glasstek hood .awesome hood

[USAZR1]

I've been very pleased with my car's Glasstek 2.75" cowl hood. Just wish the underside was smooth like a Harwood.

[TLWiltman]

IIRC VFN will custom make anything they sell in carbon-fiber

[DRJDVM's '69]

I agree, dont use Unlimited.

I bought a fiberglass hood for my '77 back in HS and the fit sucked. The edge near the windshield was so close to the glass, that there was no way to get the wiper fit, let alone actaully to work unless I cut about 1-2 inches off the fiberglass. Then they charged my a 20% restocking fee when I sent their POS back.

[ProTouring442]

I purchased the bumpers for my 442 in fiberglass from VFN and was VERY dissatisfied with them. As I stated in another thread, I have seen fewer bubbles in a glass of Alk-Seltzer. That being said however, in that same thread it was revealed that VFN has addressed this quility issue on their newer products. Please understand, I am not bashing them! All companies can go through a period where quality slips, employees being employees and all. I would, if I were to buy from them again, bring this issue up to see what they have to say about it.

Further, if anyone has bought from VFN in the past year or so and found their quality to have gone up, please chime in. It would be great to know that my caution is no longer justified.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"

[manicmechanic]

All companies can go through a period where quality slips, employees being employees and all. I would, if I were to buy from them again, bring this issue up to see what they have to say about it.

I would also like to say the same for Unlimited, I know that had a bad period, but if anyone can comment on anything purchased from them in the last year that would be better. A lot can change in a year or two, so 5-6 year old complaints should just be warnings that you had a bad deal with them and not that they are totally useless.

[1969bird]

I Purchased a 1969 T/A hood from vfn about a month ago and was very pleased with the quality and fit. I bought a hood from unlimited a couple years ago, and would never make that mistake again. That being said, they may be better now but I wouldn't risk it.

[CliffS]

I bought my T/A hood last Feb. Minor ajustments, very pleased with it.

[Damn True]

Has anyone purchased from BOTH Glasstek and VFN that can compare the two for me?

[astroracer]

I don't think it really matters. Pay the price you are comfortable with. Any of the name brands will supply you with a quality product.
I see all of the Unlimited bashing and will go against the grain on this. I can say I have never been that displeased with them... The hood on my truck is an Unlimited piece and it fit very well, with minimal time spent prepping it for paint. Other then the custom scoops I added to it, I had it prepped and primed in a couple of hours... I wouldn't hesitate to use them again and probably will when it comes time to start working on the 'Bird.
I have used VFN, Harwood and FibreglasTrends and can say I was happy with all of them...

[Jim Nilsen]

A tip given to me from VFN 10 years ago was to order during the off season for drag racing. The reason was that they have the time to make inventory and are less rushed for custom orders. They will do custom orders if you want any mods to the hood or other panels if you want to pay. They do a lot of racing bodies and they will soon be going hard at making the new bodies if they aren't already busy.

You also get a chance to get pieces that are fresh and ready to install. It is always best to get your glass parts when you are ready to install them so they can be the most flexible and can then cure in the place they will be. Don't get your glass and let it sit around if you can avoid it.

I had my hood from VFN made a bit stiffer by making it a bit thicker. It wieghs 17 lb instead of 12 lb if you get the lightweight stuff. Ask for what you really want to make sure you get it. Not everyone has the same needs for the glass and if you say light you will get thinner glass, so be realistic.

Shipping cost is a thought to consider and if you can pickup that is even better.

Goodluck on your choice, Jim Nilsen

[TSSPAYNE69RS]

So, is there the same issues with the fiberglass bumpers??

[louie@g-machine]

any opinions on US body source?

[jc70chevy]

Dont Not Get Unlimited I Had One Junk