Overhaulin'

Where does the fashion for black bonnets (hoods) on modified cars come from?

I see kids nowadays have a black bonnet on their cars. ive seen this elsewhere as well. where did this style come from?

Public Comments

1. It came from people fitting unpainted fibre-glass bonnets, which are black. If you can't afford a fibre-glass bonnet, you paint yours black and (from a distance) it looks like fibre-glass.
2. it is the colour of a carbon fibre bonnet which makes the car lighter, therefore faster
3. Most modifications involved turbochargers which meant the carburetor had to be lifted - usually above the bonnet line. After modification the bonnet was 'painted' and mat black was the prefered colour cos it was easy to do and did not look hand painted.
4. It actually started in the early 70s when rally cars had mat black bonnets. It was originally to stop the driver being blinded by the suns glare off a polished bonnet.
5. Originally, (going back to the 50's-60's) it was a FLAT or MATTE black hood, to cut glare/reflection from the sun or lights (during nighttime races at tracks), as in aircraft (Anti-glare paint/panel or shield).
6. some 70's rally cars had matt black bonnets-to stop the glare from the sun, in the same way as modern world rally cars have alcantra dash's prevents glare from the sun!
7. It comes from the modifying community in Japan who put carbon fibre bonnets on their cars. They leave the carbon weave visible (the black structure) so people know they have paid through the nose for a bonnet that marginally lowers the weight of the vehicle. If they painted them no-one would know it was carbon fibre. The kids who have them you've seen probably have only painted their bonnets black, or have had cheaper fibreglass ones fitted.
8. It's a revival of Henry Fords original concept? You can have any colour car as long as it's Black
9. i broody spreak grood engrish i worke hat crall centeer foor brackleys blank yoo broody wude kermit rand mi triping iss bletteer van yoors yoo honkie