Anyone have a 1950 with the hood key?

[Pete Phillips]

Does anyone own a 1950 Buick with the hood that opens using the special key that is inserted into one of the portholes and turned? I am looking for a photo or two of the key, and a photo of the key inserted into the porthole, to illustrate the two different types of hood opening mechanisms in 1950. The early 1950 Buicks had the key; the later ones had the hood pull cables on either end of the dashboard. My '50 is the later type. I would like these photos in order to prepare a short article for the Buick Bugle about this. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Leonard, Texas

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Pete, my Super does. Will get the pics to you later today. Email or on this post? Call if you like.

Ben

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Hope these will work for you, Pete

Ben

[Paul Falabella]

Never saw that. Opens from either side? Had a '41, nameplate swung out, lifted hood from side, left or right. Learn something new everyday.

[oldwood]

I've never seen that option either. I'll have to keep a look out now that I've learned something new about a '50.

[smithbrother]

I remember that.

Regarding Paul's comment on the 41 Buick hood. I loved that hood feature, today's street rodders have copied that feature too.

I thought it cool that Buick designed the hood prop to be wind proof.

Dale in Indy

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Never saw that. Opens from either side? Had a '41, nameplate swung out, lifted hood from side, left or right. Learn something new everyday.

All Buicks 1941 thru 1952 opened either/both sides. Through 1948 they used some form of the "name plate" handle to unlatch. 1949 used cable pulls, as did second/late 1950, and all 1951 & 1952. Early/first 1950 was the ONLY one to use the key as shown. Perhaps Pete is going to tell us why this was done.

Unlatch both sides and lift the hood off!!

Some years of Packard used a similar side opening hood.

Ben

Edited October 28, 2012 by First Born (see edit history)

[retirednow]

Fascinating! Never saw this before either. Like Paul said, you learn something new every day!-Dave BCA#46470 1952 56C

Never saw that. Opens from either side? Had a '41, nameplate swung out, lifted hood from side, left or right. Learn something new everyday.

[retirednow]

Ben-Is the name of the color of your '50 Glen Green? Thanks much-Dave BCA#46470 1952 56C

Does anyone own a 1950 Buick with the hood that opens using the special key that is inserted into one of the portholes and turned? I am looking for a photo or two of the key, and a photo of the key inserted into the porthole, to illustrate the two different types of hood opening mechanisms in 1950. The early 1950 Buicks had the key; the later ones had the hood pull cables on either end of the dashboard. My '50 is the later type. I would like these photos in order to prepare a short article for the Buick Bugle about this. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Leonard, Texas

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Ben-Is the name of the color of your '50 Glen Green? Thanks much-Dave BCA#46470 1952 56C

Don't think so. Color chart for '50 does not show a Glenn green. Probably Niagara green. I will try to remember to check the color code on the data plate tomorrow.

Ben

[Pete Phillips]

Ben,

Many thanks for the photos and so quickly! They are just what I wanted.

Pete

[retirednow]

Thanks much! - Dave BCA#46470 1952 56C

[Guest Jack Stacey]

That's so cool! I never knew such a thing existed!

[Rosiesdad]

I wish mine had a positive closure like that. Mine has the cables and the passenger side cowl latch pops off the pin constantly. I have tried adjusting it many times. When opened from driver side the long hood torques it out of the fully closed position and I cant get that side to stay latched! The driver side works fine. Do these latches just wear out? Now I carefully open and use a short broom stick under the hood front to keep it from popping loose and scratching the fender AGAIN!

Thanks for any tips.

Phil

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Phil, the "key" one will do the same. My Super does the exact same thing.

Ben

[Joseph P. Indusi]

On my 48 Special Sedanet I can remove the hood entirely (with of course some help) by releasing the latches on each side. No need to remove any bolts or nuts. I stuff some towels in each corner at the top and rear of the front fenders and the cowl when replacing it to avoid the rear ends of the hood from scratchinfg the paint on the cowl and fenders.

Joe, BCA 33493

[Guest islanddweller]

I have a HOOD KEY from an Early Edition 1950 Buick Special......FOR SALE, Call me at 941-462-5813 or email me. ALSO the FRONT HOOD ORNAMENT. FOR SALE. ALSO, One Hub Cap

[buick man]

So I guess this begs the question. What if you lose or misplace this key and it is in lock position, can the hood still be opened?

[Guest islanddweller]

So I guess this begs the question. What if you lose or misplace this key and it is in lock position, can the hood still be opened?

Yes, of course, Hood Key in horizontal position Unlocks the Hood Vertical position Locks the Hood. Jim

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

So I guess this begs the question. What if you lose or misplace this key and it is in lock position, can the hood still be opened?

Just use a large screw driver.

Ben