Hood

In 1969, the Camaro was treated to an incredibly stylish and functional piece of optional equipment, known affectionately by enthusiasts as the "Cowl Induction hood". It was featured in a couple of Camaro advertisements where it was referred to as the Camaro "Super Scoop", yet on the dealer's order forms it was listed as RPO ZL2-"Special Ducted Hood"!

Actually, the special ducted hood was only one part of a complete fresh air/induction system. The system consisted of a raised panel hood, special air cleaner and throttle operated air intake valve.

The option listed for $79 and was available only in combination with the optional higher performance engines on SS, Z/28 and COPO models. Popularity of RPO ZL2 is reflected in a high sales figure of just over 10,000 units for that model year!

Although only available for the 1969 Camaro, there are many 1967-68 Camaro owners who, realizing the potential of this special equipment, have subsequently upgraded the earlier Camaro's with it. The results speak for themselves ...

They too, enjoy the benefits of increased performance and outstanding good looks!

For a more in-depth look at the performance characteristics and history behind this optional equipment, read the "Feature article" on "Camaro, Untold Secrets" main menu.

Good news ... Because of its ongoing popularity, GM still produces the Special Ducted Hood. As a result, it's become a serious contender for GM's longest continuous sheet metal part run ever! Here's MORE good news ... There's a reproduction hood available which is also a serious contender, but this time it's for being a drop dead-ringer for the original GM part!

The question now becomes ... Go original or reproduction? The answer isn't easy, because the only tangible difference lies in a little blue sticker that says GM... it's just that close!

Please keep in mind ... The new GM Hoods are not the same excellent quality the originals were when produced for the 1969 model year. Due to wear in the original dies and the use of a slightly different specification sheet metal, the later GM production hood's quality has suffered somewhat. Therefore, depending on your philosophy (and pocketbook) you might want to give some serious consideration to the reproduction counterpart which is of comparable quality to the newer GM product.

If you just have to have that GM sticker, expect to pay a premium of approximately $200 over the cost of the reproduction hood for it. However, if you should decide to go reproduction, fear not, you may be further ahead than you think. That $200 you save buys you the special air cleaner and puts you that much closer to having a "perfectly" functional system!

For future product review articles, we'd like to know which restoration parts you'd like to know more about... Especially with regard to reproductions parts, their quality and fit and what about them concerns you most?