Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
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Car: 1987 Formula (original owner)
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Out Of Ashes: Legendary ISMA Hood Returns
ISMA Hood for Firebird, from Fiber Concepts in Warminster, PA. Contacts: Rob and Charlie(female). Phone orders only.
http://www.fiberpartsconcepts.com/?redirect=false
The intention here isn't to post a "look what I got" thread. It's not my style to do that. Rarely do I even talk about my car, unless it's about something that might also interest or benefit others. And with only 2400 posts in 18-1/2 years on TGO, I don't post much at all lol. But I do a lot of research, and when it's about a product that people have shown a lot of interest in, such as this hood, then I might post my findings, especially if I have purchased such products.
And there has been a lot of mystery surrounding this hood throughout the decades, its existence, its availability, and so-on. Also, yes, I've been one of those interested people. I wanted one, for real, not just to chat about wanting one someday. And when I discovered that, yes, it still exists after nearly 40 years, it can still be purchased, I purchased one, and here it is, fresh from its manufacturer. So after decades of wonderment, now we know, for the record, that, yes, people CAN still get this hood.
Made-to-order. Arrived 09/08/22.
Lightweight. Solid. Dimensionally spot-on. Bolt-on. White gel coat top. Partial black gel coat underside.
Out-of-the-box looks good enough to install and go, so prep and fitment should be "normal," hopefully.
Bulge is about 2-1/4" tall. That's about 3/4" to 1" taller than factory.
Production time was long because it was made-to-order, so that was expected. Follow-up communications were positive and prompt.
Box and packaging were impressive.
Shipping from PA to NV is what it is these days. But if you're near PA and have the means, will-call is welcomed.
After years of considering what I wanted to achieve, I decided it was time to make the call to see if the listing for this hood was for real. Had a long, excellent conversation with Rob and Charlie. Nice people. Ordered it during the call. Glad I did.
Finish plans won't be disclosed at this time, and I don't do progress pics or threads, so nobody is likely to see anything new about this until it's finished, which won't be anytime soon.
Last edited by LAFireboyd; 10-07-2023 at 02:01 PM.
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Re: Out Of Ashes: A Legend Arises
My post was a bit cryptic. People like pictures, not words, so I kept the commentary to a minimum lol.
For people who might not be familiar with this hood, it was part of a body kit for the 1984 Trans Am for the ISMA Racing Series. Throughout the decades, one will pop up from time to time, giving it a somewhat mythological/legendary status. And whenever one would come up in a topic on TGO, people would wonder if it still might exist and can be purchased. Now we know. Yes, it does exist, and it can still be purchased. I just didn't want to post anything until I had one in my possession. Such things have to be kept on the DL until there is real evidence to share.
Having originated in 1984, it's probably the first fiberglass hood ever made for the 3rdgen Firebird. Some 82-83 Camaros received fiberglass hoods from the factory, but I don't think any such hood was available for the Firebird at that point in time.
For people who might not be familiar with this hood, it was part of a body kit for the 1984 Trans Am for the ISMA Racing Series. Throughout the decades, one will pop up from time to time, giving it a somewhat mythological/legendary status. And whenever one would come up in a topic on TGO, people would wonder if it still might exist and can be purchased. Now we know. Yes, it does exist, and it can still be purchased. I just didn't want to post anything until I had one in my possession. Such things have to be kept on the DL until there is real evidence to share.
Having originated in 1984, it's probably the first fiberglass hood ever made for the 3rdgen Firebird. Some 82-83 Camaros received fiberglass hoods from the factory, but I don't think any such hood was available for the Firebird at that point in time.
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
This is fantastic news! Thanks for sharing this. I had these folks page bookmarked, but didn't know if it was for real.
Any photos of the bottom of the hood (engine compartment side)?
Just this past weekend, I was talking to a metal fabrication shop about making a Turbo hood with a mirror image scoop on the other side, forming a sort of Pontiac cowl hood if you will. This is exactly what I had envisioned.
Any photos of the bottom of the hood (engine compartment side)?
Just this past weekend, I was talking to a metal fabrication shop about making a Turbo hood with a mirror image scoop on the other side, forming a sort of Pontiac cowl hood if you will. This is exactly what I had envisioned.
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
I'm not in town to take more pics right now, but when I began opening the box it was upside down, so I did see the underside. But then flipped the box over to open it upside up. The underside is partially finished. Finished around the perimeter and bolt-on "structural" areas, black.
Here's an underside picture from a sale listing during the pandemic, so it's not my specific hood, but mine looks like this on the underside.
Edit: I suspect that the photo above is of the hood on this car below. No proof of that, but just a hunch.
I found this car for sale online about two months after that hood sold. Coincidence? Since evidence of these hoods emerge online about once every 5 to 10 years, and the ad for the hood, and the ad for the car, both showed up within a couple of months of each other, seems to me it's not coincidental.
Here's an underside picture from a sale listing during the pandemic, so it's not my specific hood, but mine looks like this on the underside.
Edit: I suspect that the photo above is of the hood on this car below. No proof of that, but just a hunch.
I found this car for sale online about two months after that hood sold. Coincidence? Since evidence of these hoods emerge online about once every 5 to 10 years, and the ad for the hood, and the ad for the car, both showed up within a couple of months of each other, seems to me it's not coincidental.
Last edited by LAFireboyd; 09-17-2022 at 11:47 PM.
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
It looks beautiful to me, too. It's my first fiberglass hood, though, so I have nothing to gauge its quality by. But if someone had a white car, the hood looks good enough to bolt on and leave it as it is. My neighbor is a former paint and body man. He looked it over and was impressed by the quality. I knew he wouldn't want to paint it, but I asked anyway lol. No equipment anymore, but he recommended an excellent custom shop in the area.
Correct, the cowl isn't functional, but it could be made to be. Like most fiberglass hoods, cutting openings to make them functional is up to the owner. For this hood, a couple of honeycomb grills would be required due to the width of the bulge, although I suppose you could place one grill within the center of the area. I have a couple of junkyard power bulge hoods "in stock" with grills.
I removed the block-off plate from my Formula's hood and replaced it with a grill from an 82-84 TA hood, decades ago when you could still order the grills from the dealer. Heat waves pour out at stop lights.
Not many quality fiberglass hoods available for Firebirds anymore. Duraflex hoods look questionable in their pictures, and people who've purchased them have confirmed that the quality is poor, but that's all that appears to be available in the RA1 hood these days. Not sure about the quality of RA2 hoods or the few other style hoods. But it's nice knowing the ISMA hood is both, available and nice.
Correct, the cowl isn't functional, but it could be made to be. Like most fiberglass hoods, cutting openings to make them functional is up to the owner. For this hood, a couple of honeycomb grills would be required due to the width of the bulge, although I suppose you could place one grill within the center of the area. I have a couple of junkyard power bulge hoods "in stock" with grills.
I removed the block-off plate from my Formula's hood and replaced it with a grill from an 82-84 TA hood, decades ago when you could still order the grills from the dealer. Heat waves pour out at stop lights.
Not many quality fiberglass hoods available for Firebirds anymore. Duraflex hoods look questionable in their pictures, and people who've purchased them have confirmed that the quality is poor, but that's all that appears to be available in the RA1 hood these days. Not sure about the quality of RA2 hoods or the few other style hoods. But it's nice knowing the ISMA hood is both, available and nice.
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
When are you going to do a fit up? That's what I'm really waiting for. It's kind of still just a picture in a catalog until confirmed how well it fits...
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
Not for a long time, as I stated in the last sentence of my initial post. Far more important things to deal with than the car, including newer things that have come up since that initial post. Until then, enjoy the pictures.
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
For sure like this hood more than most of the other offerings
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
But if someone had a white car, the hood looks good enough to bolt on and leave it as it is.
Like if the price they quote on the website is correct and if it doesn't look overly large on a TA without a wide body... I'd be all about getting one.
OTHO, the site says they are all made to order, I wonder if they can make it with a lower scoop (and some other changes 😉huh...
FWIW, my car currently has the short Harwood cowl hood which I feel is the only real tasteful aftermarket hood easily available for these cars... I think it's advertised as being a 2" cowl...
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
Two more people have hoods on order. Maybe we'll get feedback on a fit up in the next couple months from one of them.
Regarding cutting the opening of the cowl, I am told it has a skin layer that can be cut out, and there is another structure layer behind it. They will make it open but you would have to pay extra for them to redo structure in that area.
These are very heavy for fiberglass, not much weight savings over stock, so maybe shop elsewhere if weight reduction is your motivitation.
Regarding cutting the opening of the cowl, I am told it has a skin layer that can be cut out, and there is another structure layer behind it. They will make it open but you would have to pay extra for them to redo structure in that area.
These are very heavy for fiberglass, not much weight savings over stock, so maybe shop elsewhere if weight reduction is your motivitation.
Last edited by QwkTrip; 11-27-2022 at 03:58 PM.
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
I'm away from home. Visiting family in Indy. Even updated the location on my profile. I probably won't be driving home until the springtime thaw. Even when I return, living in Vegas and working in LA doesn't leave much time to play.
I purchased the hood so I would have it when I'm eventually ready for it, and I'm not. But when I phone vendors to inquire about products that I'm serious about purchasing, I'm prepared to put my money where my mouth is. I don't waste their time with, "ok, thanks, bye." This hood was one of those things. And since its availability has always been suspect, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to get one if I could. Turned out, I could, so I did.
Then I wanted to get the word out to other members, but it was important to have one in my hands first, just in case it turned out to be not real. Sounds like people are on it, which is . And if someone gets his installed before I do, then good for him. Until then, all I can provide is this "catalog" for y'all to enjoy.
I purchased the hood so I would have it when I'm eventually ready for it, and I'm not. But when I phone vendors to inquire about products that I'm serious about purchasing, I'm prepared to put my money where my mouth is. I don't waste their time with, "ok, thanks, bye." This hood was one of those things. And since its availability has always been suspect, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to get one if I could. Turned out, I could, so I did.
Then I wanted to get the word out to other members, but it was important to have one in my hands first, just in case it turned out to be not real. Sounds like people are on it, which is . And if someone gets his installed before I do, then good for him. Until then, all I can provide is this "catalog" for y'all to enjoy.
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Re: Out Of Ashes: ISMA Legend Returns
Hood looks great, those hood pins...not so much.
How long was the lead time to get this delivered? I may have missed it in the conversation
How long was the lead time to get this delivered? I may have missed it in the conversation
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