C 3 FEMALE HOOD LATCHES

[JOHN WILSON]

Are 68-76 female hood latches all the same configuration . I purchased a
set for my 72 and the mounting bolt don't line up. I was told that 68 female hood latches were different?

[Dick W.]

Re: C 3 FEMALE HOOD LATCHES

'68 male pins are different, along with the latches on the hood

[Joe L.]

Re: C 3 FEMALE HOOD LATCHES

Dick and John-----

I believe that it's all of 68 and most of 1969 that the latches are different than very late 1969 through 1976. My September, 1969 built convertible used the "early" style upper latches and latch bolts. I think that the later style latches went into PRODUCTION about mid-October, 1969. On the early style upper latches, the radius of the "catch arm" which engages the lock bolt is smaller than the similar radius of the late 69 through 1976 latches. That's because the 68-69 upper latches are used with the "tulip" shaped lower lock bolts. The late 69 to 1976 upper latches are used with lock bolts with a conical head.

The 68-69 upper latches use a cross cable which is retained by TWO brackets on the hood; the 69-76 upper latches use ONE bracket on the hood. The cross cables used with each style brackets are different. Several different cables were used with the 68-69 brackets over the period of their use.

I think that the left side upper latches will bolt up to either a 68 to late 69 hood OR a late 69-76 hood. Basically, they are interchangeable (as long as the proper lock bolt for the upper latch is also used). However, the right side latches are not interchangeable and will exhibit the problem that you've noted.

[John A.]

[Dick W.]

Re: C 3 FEMALE HOOD LATCHES

Joe, you are correct. I just did not trust my feeble memory to add early '69. As I have stated before, I suffer from a severe case of NCRS (never can remember s..t) disease. I have been on the sidelines since the 2000 BG National, and have many cobwebs in the belfry