1973 1974 1975 1976 Eldorado Hood Compatibility / Difference / Swapping

[eddowrado]

I have a 1974 Eldorado Convertible and I need a hood. I have been told the Eldorado hoods from 1973, 1975 and 1976 will all fit. One junk yard even said the 1977 would fit. When I look at pictures of them the 1976 seems to have a sharper point at the front of the hood and the grill seems to also be a different shape. I don't want to pay to have a hood shipped across the country only to find out that it doesn't fit.

1. What years had hoods that are compatible with the 1974 Eldorado?

2. If I use a hood from a different year, do I need to get different hinges and/or grill?

3. I was looking at another 1974 Eldorado and the hood on that car appeared to be the same shape as mine but was A LOT lighter than the one on my car. I also noticed that the back of the hood above the hinges tended to rise up a half inch and you had to press it down for the lines to lay flat. Did the hoods from different years weigh less?

Thanks,
Ed Dow

[bill06447]

73-76 hoods all share the same part numbers and interchange numbers. No idea why one may seem "lighter" unless the hinge was sprung.

Bill