68 RR Hood early or late style

Hi,
I am buying a repo hood from Ted Stephens for my 68 RR. He says it could be either an early or late style safety latch. How can I tell which I have? My car was built in 10/67. He did say he offers a hood that fits both. Thanx! Tom

As far as I know there are no 68 hoods in reproduction, only 69. Early/first run 68 hoods from what I have seen run from start of production till abou Feb. 68. I have yet to see a org. march dated car with a early hood. Your car would take the early hood for sure. If you need pics of both 68 hoods I could take some.
I have heard this early late latch difference thing before but don't know what it is as I have both hoods and this area is the same. It's the rest of the under structure that differs. Late hoods are like 69's but not cut out under the inserts.
Now a 68 hood secondary latch it's self is shorter than a 69's, but that's just a bolt on item.

The first "catch" that the actual latch hooks to is different, at least for 69. I had to get the parts for my 69 hood onto my 68 car and it didn't match up very well. I traded my 69 hood for a 68 and everything is good.

Hi,
Thanx for your reply. A pic of what you have would be great. Sure would be nice to find someone that has bought a hood from Stephens performance to know for sure. Thanx,Tom

Here's the early hood

2

3

And the late hood

late 2

late 3

And all 68's are solid under the inserts from what I have found. I know of people that claim the very late cars were cut like 69's, but all the very late cars I have seen were solid.

Hey man, good pics but wheres your fender cover , that looks like pretty good paint those tools are laying on

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Hey man, good pics but wheres your fender cover , that looks like pretty good paint those tools are laying on

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I'm working on taking it a part right now as it's going for paint. Won't see tools on it when it comes back!!