One of the unique design components of STREET RODDER’s 2010 Road Tour car is how the hood is secured without hood sides. Dual hood straps, usually found on vintage European cars, is the answer, and not only do they give the Road Tour roadster a unique look, but it’s quite functional too.
Straps were used in two places...
Straps were used in two places on the car: to secure the luggage to the bed with a standard belt-type tie (shown), and a spring-loaded setup to hold the hood down.
Cotati Speed Shop, the Santa Rosa, California-based, builders of the 2010 Road Tour car, enhanced the car’s vintage appeal by using the spring-loaded tie-downs, which can be bought in kit form (for roughly $250) from LimeWorks Speed Shop in Whittier, California. The kit comes with all of the necessary hardware as well as 6 feet of 1-1/4-inch leather. Once assembled, Cotati Speed Shop then used an oil to tone the leather and give it some “age.” The following photos show how they made everything work.
Using a hole punch designed for leather, the rivet holes are added to the leather strap.
While the car was in its construction...
While the car was in its construction phase at Cotati Speed Shop, a piece of metal strap was taped to the car’s exterior to note where the exhaust headers would run. Next, using masking tape to substitute for the leather strap, the location of the straps was determined.
Directly vertical from the...
Directly vertical from the mounting brackets on the framerail is where the upper section of the strap will mount, and that location was noted on the inside lip of the hood.
There are two mounting points...
There are two mounting points on each ’rail. Once located, the ’rail was scribed to locate the mounting holes for the kit’s metal mounting brackets.
Using a cut-off wheel, a small...
Using a cut-off wheel, a small slot—a little larger than the width of the strap—was cut into the hood’s inner lip.
Two holes needed to be drilled...
Two holes needed to be drilled in the top of the ’rail for each bracket.
Once drilled, Cotati threaded...
Once drilled, Cotati threaded the holes for the mounting screws.
A test-fit shows the leather...
A test-fit shows the leather strap easily sliding through.
Using some more masking tape,...
Using some more masking tape, the rest of the kit was “assembled” so the location of the locking lever and spring section could be noted.
Using a hole punch designed...
Using a hole punch designed for leather, the rivet holes are added to the leather strap.
Even though it’s masking tape,...
Even though it’s masking tape, it looks pretty real—right down to the Sharpie marker that was used to locate the brass screw-together rivets that will be used on the strap to secure the solid brass buckles and metal pieces.
On the outside edge of the...
On the outside edge of the strap (just above the rivet holes), two notches are cut into the strap where the edge of the buckle will go.
The buckle goes in place and...
The buckle goes in place and the leather strap is folded over.
Locating the rivets is as...
Locating the rivets is as easy as marking in a 1/4 inch from the outside edge of the strap.
Two screw-type rivets secure...
Two screw-type rivets secure the backside of the strap.
The same work is done for...
The same work is done for the locking lever.
A cardboard template was made...
A cardboard template was made to aid in locating where the rivet holes need to be placed for the spring section.
The strap, now with the locking...
The strap, now with the locking lever in place, is test-fitted to the hood side.
Using gloves so the oil in...
Using gloves so the oil in the worker’s hands doesn’t transfer to the leather, the lower section of the strap is assembled.
Holding the masking tape version...
Holding the masking tape version for comparison, the spring’s location is noted on the leather strap. LimeWorks suggests having a 1/8-inch gap between the spring loops to simulate the spring tension when finished.
Here’s the completed section...
Here’s the completed section of the strap.
Now the entire section can...
Now the entire section can be added to the hood and framerails for final assembly.