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The Split Hood Kit allows a car's hood to be cut in half and to open like a pair of French doors rather than like an alligator's mouth.Soup it up
For show cars, split hoods can score points
It's an open and shut case: Aftermarket kits give regular rides the aesthetics of a Lamborghini.
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"Lambo" doors are cool, but, like, doesn't everyone parking on display at the custom car show have them already? Now, to really score points with the judges -- and the viewing public -- what you might need is a split hood kit, especially one to which you've added a power-opening and closing feature.
For $199, the Hoffman Group of Portland, Ore., sells its Split Hood Kit, basically a set of special hinges and brackets that replace those installed by the factory.
The split kit can be installed not just along the base of the windshield, but also along the front fenders or even on the sheet metal that runs across the front of the car.
With the hinges, the hood can be split on a diagonal or across the car or in a curving pattern, opening more like fancy French doors than an alligator's mouth.
Add some electrical linear actuators (about $230 each) and related relays and maybe a motor control unit and you can use a remote control to open and close the hood.
Add a couple of latches to secure the split hood panels in a closed position and you can even drive the car equipped with a split hood kit, though the basic product is designed for show rather than for go.
The kit was developed by the Hoffman Group, founded by Drew Hoffman, who was customizing cars while in college. The Hoffman Group develops, produces and sells automotive aftermarket products under several brand names, including AutoLoc, which produces the split hood kits as well as the Lamborghini door hinges that can convert seemingly any door into one that opens butterfly style like those on the legendary Lamborghini Countach.
Visit www.autoloc.com or call (800) 873-4038.
Larry Edsall is a Phoenix-based freelance writer. You can reach him at (602) 300-4518 or ledsall@cox.net.
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The Detroit News.
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