I've owned my AAR since 76. Here's the scoop. All the original hoods bowed. That is how you can distinguish an OEM hood from a repop! Even the OEM hood springs were too strong for the hood. They all try to open the hood when it is closed; therefore, it bows up. The hoods were replaced in warranted for that reason. There is not a long enough metal brace where the hood hinges bolt to the hood. So the factory released a bulletin to remove the springs and use a prop rod to hold the hood up. That is what I did and the hood straightened right back down flat with the fenders. No weights or repair, just the Texas sun. I still have he oem springs and when I go to a show, I just put them back on by hand so the prop rod is not in site.