I have a 1983 Camaro Z28 with the LG4 305, but it has an SMC hood without the functional hood flaps. I'm a bit confused as most of the technical data for 83 Camaro Z28s I've seen (including the one on this site) states that SMC hoods were discontinued in 83 except for LU5 cars, but even then those cars had functional hood flaps. There are no records (nor any visible sign) of accidents (except for something I did as a teenager involving a ditch), the hood being replaced, and the paint is all original. I know the hood is SMC because the hood prop has damaged the hole it inserts into, and there is a small hole where the nonfunctional hood flap is on the passenger side. I've tested with a magnet with a very minute amount of attraction (the magnet stuck to the body of the car). Could the factory have made a mistake, and even if they did, why would the hood flaps be nonfunctional?

 

Pardon my ignorance...but what's SMC? Sheet Metal....something?

 

Sheet molding compound. I assume it uses fiberglass and other materials.

 

Only the Crossfire cars got the functional flaps. The "base" Z28's still had the SMC hoods, just woth plates blocking the flap holes.

 

I have a 1983 Z/28 Camaro 305 Cross Fire Injection and it has functioning hood flaps. Granted I'm going to get rid of it and build up the motor, but it does have them and they do work.

 

The SMC hoods were available in 82 and 83. The Cross Fire cars had the functional flaps while the standard Z28 didn't. The hood on your car is real and more than likely is the original hood. I had an 83 Z28 that I bought in 85. It had the fiberglass hood also. It shattered when I totaled the car!!!

 

Fiberglass, or SMC (sheet molded composite) which is a fiberglass like material.

 

Fiberglass, or SMC (sheet molded composite) which is a fiberglass like material.