Need advice on fabricating a speedster hood

[RansomEli]

I'm building a brass-era speedster from miscellaneous spare parts. Basically, I'm replicating something along the lines of a circa 1913 Mercer Raceabout or Stutz Bearcat.  

 

Since I don't have a hood I've got to make one. The two side panels will be straight without any louvers (I'll be using a Franklin air-cooled engine). The top panels will have a slight curve to match the 'radiator' shell.

 

I'm assuming it will cost too much money to have someone fabricate the hood for me. So I'm going to do it myself. Any advice from someone who has done this and what tools I'll need? 

 

Would working with aluminum be better than steel? What gauge do I need?

 

Thanks in advance.  

[Gary_Ash]

The hood panels can be made from .050 or .060" type 3003 aluminum using an English wheel. Buy a length of aluminum continous hinge (Stanley for example), but replace the rod with stainless steel so it doesn't gall.  Assemble with solid aluminum aircraft rivets with 5/32 or 3/16" shanks using a good rivet gun (Aircraft Tool Supply). 

 

See my hood in my 1932 Indy car thread. 

[RansomEli]

Thanks for the info.  Just what I need. You've done an impressive amount of engineering work on that car.