I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*gmachinz* · 02-09-2015, 07:43 PM

So for years people have claimed GM never made aluminum hoods for the 78-80 Montes. Well, GM had Alcoa build a number of prototype hoods and GM decided to scrap them. But, a savvy worker at the time saved 5 from the scrap bin and had stored them for 30+ years. I now have one of those unicorns in my possession along with a set of GM specified low tension hood hinge springs for it. To my knowledge, only 5 such hoods exist.

NONHOG · 02-09-2015, 11:06 PM

Pics or it didn't happen.

*gmachinz* · 02-10-2015, 01:33 AM

Lol.....OK, gimme a couple of minutes....

*gmachinz* · 02-10-2015, 01:47 AM

Here's a few.....you'll see the only carbon steel pieces are the hinge nuts, hood latch catch and the hood latch mounting nuts....

*gmachinz* · 02-10-2015, 01:51 AM

There are quite a few notes on the underside like .040 assuming that refers to aluminum thickness, several dimensional markings, one spot says "lift with hem line" or something to that effect....pretty cool piece imo. I never thought I'd ever see one of these....and I consider myself pretty well educated with 78-up A and G bodies too.

*gmachinz* · 02-10-2015, 01:53 AM

The two springs are the required low tension springs for use with this hood on stock hood hinges....and these hoods were sold with a pair of these hinges.

andrewmp6 · 02-10-2015, 04:49 AM

It was probably for a diesel they wanted to do,The regal and cutlass g body had diesel options and ran a aluminum and core support to cut down on the weight.

67ChevyRedneck · 02-10-2015, 03:13 PM

Pretty cool... so is this going on a wall or on a car?

*gmachinz* · 02-10-2015, 05:49 PM

Well initially I planned on using it for my current build however-I am loosely looking for a more scarce 78 Monte to possibly restore for use with this hood-so I'm hunting for a factory 4 speed with t-tops or power sunroof-loaded, etc. I know the 78-80 GP's could have had aluminum core supports if they were heavily optioned since of all gbodies the GP's were the heftiest.

mario1128 · 02-10-2015, 10:01 PM

my 79 monte has the aluminum trunk lid I nearly ripped it off the first time I opened it lol

andrewmp6 · 02-13-2015, 03:16 AM

One day i would love to have a grand prix 2+2 just to have a different g body then everyone else.

Low Elco · 02-18-2015, 02:07 PM

That's cool.

*gmachinz* · 02-18-2015, 04:12 PM

I'm apprehensive about using it on my project 80 Monte though....kinda want to look for a fully loaded factory 4-speed 78 Monte to make it worthy of using....ya know?

dmack91 · 03-05-2015, 01:22 AM

Don't know much about them but there has been a 1978 monte on the bend Oregon craigslist for over a year for $4500 with a 4 speed

OutlawDrifter · 03-09-2015, 03:21 PM

i had a 78 SS El Camino with a 305 and a 4 speed, had the factory installed Hurst shifter for the g-body and Saginaw. i think the shifter was worth more than the elco.

that's a super cool find, i love g-bodies, this would be and neat addition to the right car!

*gmachinz* · 03-09-2015, 04:09 PM

Yes it would for sure....I also sourced an aluminum core support and trunk lid for it as well. Keeping with the aluminum theme I could go for an LS powerplant instead of the 383/TH400 currently sitting in the corner ready to go....we'll see...if a decently priced 6.0 pops up I may have to consider it.....

02-09-2015, 07:43 PM	#1
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! So for years people have claimed GM never made aluminum hoods for the 78-80 Montes. Well, GM had Alcoa build a number of prototype hoods and GM decided to scrap them. But, a savvy worker at the time saved 5 from the scrap bin and had stored them for 30+ years. I now have one of those unicorns in my possession along with a set of GM specified low tension hood hinge springs for it. To my knowledge, only 5 such hoods exist.

02-09-2015, 11:06 PM	#2
NONHOG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Marana, Arizona Posts: 3,458	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! Pics or it didn't happen. __________________ "I feel the need for speed!"... as soon as I am done with my nap.

02-10-2015, 01:33 AM	#3
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! Lol.....OK, gimme a couple of minutes....

02-10-2015, 01:47 AM	#4
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! Here's a few.....you'll see the only carbon steel pieces are the hinge nuts, hood latch catch and the hood latch mounting nuts.... Attached Images

02-10-2015, 01:51 AM	#5
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! There are quite a few notes on the underside like .040 assuming that refers to aluminum thickness, several dimensional markings, one spot says "lift with hem line" or something to that effect....pretty cool piece imo. I never thought I'd ever see one of these....and I consider myself pretty well educated with 78-up A and G bodies too. Attached Images

02-10-2015, 01:53 AM	#6
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! The two springs are the required low tension springs for use with this hood on stock hood hinges....and these hoods were sold with a pair of these hinges.

02-10-2015, 04:49 AM	#7
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! It was probably for a diesel they wanted to do,The regal and cutlass g body had diesel options and ran a aluminum and core support to cut down on the weight.

02-10-2015, 03:13 PM	#8
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! Pretty cool... so is this going on a wall or on a car? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

02-10-2015, 05:49 PM	#9
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! Well initially I planned on using it for my current build however-I am loosely looking for a more scarce 78 Monte to possibly restore for use with this hood-so I'm hunting for a factory 4 speed with t-tops or power sunroof-loaded, etc. I know the 78-80 GP's could have had aluminum core supports if they were heavily optioned since of all gbodies the GP's were the heftiest.

02-10-2015, 10:01 PM	#10
mario1128 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: cheshire ct Posts: 55	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! my 79 monte has the aluminum trunk lid I nearly ripped it off the first time I opened it lol __________________ 72 chevy former 1ton converted to 1/2 ton roller 350 engine , turbo 350 and a 12 bolt on leafsprings with a flip and drop springs

02-13-2015, 03:16 AM	#11
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! One day i would love to have a grand prix 2+2 just to have a different g body then everyone else.

02-18-2015, 02:07 PM	#12
Low Elco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indep, MO Posts: 5,893	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! That's cool. __________________ Boppa's Old Yeller Truck Build, Old Yeller's New Heart! Project Buzz Bomb Flyin' Low!

02-18-2015, 04:12 PM	#13
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! I'm apprehensive about using it on my project 80 Monte though....kinda want to look for a fully loaded factory 4-speed 78 Monte to make it worthy of using....ya know?

03-05-2015, 01:22 AM	#14
dmack91 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 763	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! Don't know much about them but there has been a 1978 monte on the bend Oregon craigslist for over a year for $4500 with a 4 speed __________________ 68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress

03-09-2015, 03:21 PM	#15
OutlawDrifter Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Northeast KS Posts: 1,789	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! i had a 78 SS El Camino with a 305 and a 4 speed, had the factory installed Hurst shifter for the g-body and Saginaw. i think the shifter was worth more than the elco. that's a super cool find, i love g-bodies, this would be and neat addition to the right car!



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03-09-2015, 04:09 PM	#16
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: I picked up a unicorn over the weekend! Yes it would for sure....I also sourced an aluminum core support and trunk lid for it as well. Keeping with the aluminum theme I could go for an LS powerplant instead of the 383/TH400 currently sitting in the corner ready to go....we'll see...if a decently priced 6.0 pops up I may have to consider it.....

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