SAAC Forum

The Cars => CSX 2000 Series => Topic started by: Bill on October 25, 2025, 11:27:07 AM

Title: Hood escutcheon plate inquiry
Post by: Bill on October 25, 2025, 11:27:07 AM
Ran across a set of hood escutcheon plate plates and a T-handle supposedly for same. Was told they were used on very early CSX2000 series cars. Uncertain if that statement is factual or not, same goes for the parts and tool attached in the pictures below. Can anyone confirm one way or the other?
Escutcheon plate is roughly 1" x 1"
T-handle tool is 2.25" (a hair bigger than measured) wide by 3.25" long
Hoodtrim1.jpg
Hoodtrim2.jpg
hoodtrim3.jpg

Thanks in advance

Bill
Title: Re: Hood escutcheon plate inquiry
Post by: CSX4781 on October 25, 2025, 11:51:09 AM
CSX2003 had the same hood latch setup with the spring loaded covers and T handle. Was a pretty unmolested car.

Dave
Title: Re: Hood escutcheon plate inquiry
Post by: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on October 25, 2025, 08:15:34 PM
When I looked at CSX2027 in 1972-73 time period it had a similar set up
Title: Re: Hood escutcheon plate inquiry
Post by: A-Snake on October 26, 2025, 01:01:51 PM
A known manufacturer of these keys was PENNANT, and was so marked on the tool. The 'T' handle differed from the one pictured. Perhaps around 40 cars got this type of latch before SA designed the 'tear drop' chrome latch.

The question in my mind is, why would you want this type rather than the "quick open" latch that replaced the removable T handle? Imagine you see smoke or fire under the bonnet and you're trying to remember where you put the 'T' handle. In a door pocket, the glove box, the boot?
Title: Re: Hood escutcheon plate inquiry
Post by: mickmate on June 14, 2026, 04:49:00 PM
They are commonly referred to as toilet seat lid type, I wonder why. Yes used on early cars until there were incidents like Asnake refers to. Then there were some guys taking them racing that needed quick hood access hence the teardrop handles. Then Wilmot Breeden did a suitable handle used with a circular base plate that went the rest of Cobra and 427 production. These handles were a locking type with a lock barrel available but had blanking plugs in place of the locks in Cobras and 427's.
Title: Re: Hood escutcheon plate inquiry
Post by: Bill on June 14, 2026, 09:47:51 PM
Quote from: mickmate on June 14, 2026, 04:49:00 PMThey are commonly referred to as toilet seat lid type, I wonder why. Yes used on early cars until there were incidents like Asnake refers to. Then there were some guys taking them racing that needed quick hood access hence the teardrop handles. Then Wilmot Breeden did a suitable handle used with a circular base plate that went the rest of Cobra and 427 production. These handles were a locking type with a lock barrel available but had blanking plugs in place of the locks in Cobras and 427's.

Thanks Nick, if you need a set as shown above, they are sitting with my spares.

Bill
Title: Re: Hood escutcheon plate inquiry
Post by: SIIIRHD88 on June 18, 2026, 12:52:56 PM
The hood escutcheon plates look identical to the Triumph TR2 and TR3 spare tire hatch latch covers.  The T handle is known as a 'Coach Key" in the Triumph world.