Toby's cowl hood, fresh out of the box.

[tobyp]

You sure are a great representative for your company, Toby.

Tell me more about what lazy ****s your customers all are...

I buy stuff from all over the world, it's unavoidable... But I'll pass on your products simply because of what a child you seem to act like over and over again.
You get so defensive it's hilarious.
This is the internet. Get some thicker skin...

And don't break your arm patting yourself on the back there, champ...

Tell me more about what lazy ****s your customers all are...
You sir need to read the post more clearly. First of all did I name customers? Hell no. I named the the people I sent product to make in America, and they said, "i'll pass"

I'll pass on your products simply because of what a child you seem to act like over and over again.
Your choice.

You get so defensive it's hilarious.
Its called pride, its called doing this stuff for love of the car and passion, and I get a little defensive when dumbass statements are made about a product or its origins, that are not true, or an unreasonable opinion. After all, as a forum of public opinion we are allowed to state. Which we are.

And don't break your arm patting yourself on the back there, champ
You know what. I get plenty from other people, and dont need any reassurance. What you see and read is confidence.

 

[tobyp]

We ALL would like to buy US made products, but the reality is the Big 3 (GM, Ford, Chrysler) all do the same thing. That is a world economy we all live in now, source parts where ever you can to stay competitive in the market, and if this hood was made in the US it's price would most likely be well over $1000, personally I would not be able to buy one then. I have dealt with Toby in person on more than 1 occasion, I find him to be a stand up guy, he didn't BS me on anything, I paid a fair price for everything I have bought from him, and I'm very grateful for all that he has contributed to our hobby. I bought the prototype hood from him that no one liked the raised rib up the center of the cowl, I personally like mine over the current one, but hey we all have our personal taste in our cars, no one will ever satisfy everyone.

Mark

And here is a voice of reason by a person I have dealt with. Not a person casting judgement over the internet about me and my work.

Thanks Mark. Send me some pics of the piece on the car!!

 

[tobyp]

I'm glad you made one. I'll add that it was very well boxed.
The truth is, this hood is almost ready to paint, right out of the box, at least the one I have is. It's a quality part!
This new website is so awesome for posting pics.

Perfect, this is what we set out to do. We realize this from dealing so much on the collision side that people like to hang their part and go. There should be minimal prep needed to shoot the hood. We used PPG primer, and it's USA steel. Some say you can scuff, baseboat and clear. However when I did mine I scuffed, primed, sealed, base and cleared. Similar results have been showed with both practices. I lean on the side of better safe than sorry.

 

[theoldsone]

Why did this all of a sudden turn into a war.
If anyone doesn't like the hood because of looks or because of where it's made, then you'd best learn how to weld and fabricate yourself a hood, break your backs at it too. And realise no one makes steel hoods for g bodies on a large scale.

And as for Toby, realize that your putting your product out there and your going to get criticized for the smallest most stupidest things, learn how to take it.

 

[Blake442]

This country is filled with a bunch of lazy ****s or people that don't want to work!

This country is also filled with your customers.
Believe it or not, you represent a company here... whether you're an 'official' sponsor or not.
I'd love to see you act like it.

 

[DoubleV]

I haven't seen one in person but it seems to me the cowl opening is overly restricted. Doubt anybody would complain it was open because it's easier to add a screen/restriction of some sort than it is to cut out the restriction built into it.

IMO, Its not that there's a restriction, its that it seems OVERLY restrictive. This is based on just that one pic though.

And I have yet to see the 'money' shot. I want a nice profile pic of the car with hood.

 

[88hurstolds]

I would like to see the ridge down the middle eliminated or the hood more closely designed to look more like the FE3X Oldsmobile engineered hood rather than Chevrolet.
But in the end It's a nice hood, I commend GOODMARK for their development efforts.
I would like to see more products offered by GOODMARK for the G-body community.
Especially lightweight aluminum weight savings products such as hoods and decklids and rust repair products such as inner rocker panels and fenders or collision products such as urethane bumper covers, header panels and bumpers.
It would also be nice to see Cutlass console buckets and dash .

Not trying to start something here, just commenting on what's already been said and implied as far as Toby as a Goodmark rep...
I too find it very odd... I've never seen another rep for any company conduct themselves as he has regarding the line between their job and their personal life.
It's cool that Toby likes what he's developing and gets into the products more than any other typical rep would but people get confused as to whom is doing what... he seems to be taking the credit for Goodmarks accomplishments and not presenting the name Goodmark as often as he should or conducting himself professionally enough as a representative of the company.

Heck, the comments made in this thread would deem most company reps terminated from their position with their company since it potentially represents the company's opinions and views.

Like 90% of the corporations out there the decision to proceed with this market is made by the directors..
I bet they could hand this project to someone else who gave to sh*ts about G-body's and the same products would result due to the market and financial research done.

Also. when I develop a life saving medical device as a product development engineer I don't go publically into the marketplace and make it my own or brag about it being my accomplishment or THREATEN TO SUE PEOPLE with my company's lawyers and censor them if they criticize the product/company (especially after asking for criticism) or myself and my own personal private sales.

 

[chophead]

Sad... very sad. ...
To the original poster I love seeing new parts and opinions based on them by guys who are willing to fork the dough before me so I get to see what they are like.
I did both paint and body work plus I grew up maching and welding.
Most steel cowl hoods suck as far as fit and finish. I have on more the one occasion weld and fill to make a acceptable body line. I always hated it when I got those jobs but its just part of the job.
My cutlass came with a glass hood. Not perfect but hell neither is the rest of the car. So hats off to someone who is willing to make a part that fits and finishs better.
I have worked for two American motorcycle companies. One has been around since the dawn of time. The other not so long. I love both bikes but I ride a harley. Victory will one day grace my stable but till then my hd's will do. So how many parts are American made on a harley? And how many American made parts on a victory? Hate to tell ya but victory make the most parts that goes into their bikes here in the usa. Harley has long since gave up on usa made parts and it shows. Victory imo goes out of their way to stay American. And dont confuse American made with American built! American built means the parts, castings or other wise was made off shore and shipped back here to be machined or assembled. Most people dont know or realize that. I my self look for Pennsylvania made parts. Then American made parts. Then quality made parts. Finding companies to make certain parts here in the usa is hard and yes cost plays a big part in retail. So if the retail is 500 and made over seas then how much do you think a usa made part would be? While there are people who have the money to buy anything most dont. So now its about quality. Some countries are better and care more about the parts they make thats for sure. But if made in the use with our unions, high wages, Obama care, welfare and the fact we have taxs on everything that 500 hood is now over a grand. Sad but that's why everything is made across the ocean. Thats why jobs that requires skill are being lost to a market where people require less to live on. Alot of guys wont like what I have to say but I for one am affected by the overseas work leaving the states. But ultimately when it comes to a good quality part I dont care if its made in a cave by who ever as long as I can take pride showin it on my car then I am happy.

 

[Mat1227]

Taken a few pictures of my car with the Cowl Induction hood on it. Counted the small holes in the cowl area, believe there are 90 holes about .230" diameter, that is just under 4 sq in of opening, yes it may be a little restrictive, but you can open to your personal liking. My car still has the original engine and air cleaner so the cowl hood is for looks only. I've not decided yet what to put where the hood ornament was and between the grille's.

Mark

 

[finkous]

I too have purchased this brand of hood... I simply scuffed it, painted it, and installed with only a few minor adjustments. working in the auto body field I have worked with many aftermarket panels, some good, some bad and in my opinion this hood was very good quality and I really couldn't care less where it was made, the price was comparable