Ford Racing Hood Latch Assembly

Ford Racing Hood Latch Assemblies: Race-Heritage Engineering for Your Mustang

When it comes to securing your hood with hardware that carries genuine motorsport lineage, few names carry more credibility than Ford Racing. Now known as Ford Performance Parts, the brand grew directly out of Ford Motor Company’s racing division — the Ford Performance division of the Ford Motor Company got its racing start when founder Henry Ford first pushed a vehicle past 20 miles per hour in 1896, and Ford has been competing ever since. That legacy translates directly into the engineering behind every Ford Racing hood latch assembly component in their catalog.

The Flagship: M-16700-A Hood Latch & Pin Kit

The centerpiece of Ford Racing’s hood latch lineup is the M-16700-A Hood Latch & Pin Kit. This hood latch and pin kit is designed to be used on all 1987 to 2004 Mustangs with the original stock hood or an aftermarket fiberglass hood. Beyond fitment, the kit is built to look the part as well: it is similar to the original hood pin kit used on early Mustangs and Fairlanes, giving your build an unmistakably classic, track-inspired appearance.

Construction quality is a standout feature of this kit. The hood pins use a torsion pin style, measure 4 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter, and are crafted from polished stainless steel. Stainless steel construction means the hardware resists corrosion over years of use, whether the vehicle sees weekend track days or daily driving. The kit can be used with most original and aftermarket hoods, making it a versatile choice for builders running lightweight fiberglass or carbon fiber aftermarket panels alongside the stock sheetmetal crowd.

Why Choose Ford Racing for Hood Latch Hardware?

Hood latch components might seem like a minor detail, but on a performance build they serve a critical function: keeping the hood positively secured at speed. On race cars or cars with aftermarket hoods that do not use the factory latch system, the hood may be held down by hood pins, and some aftermarket hoods that do have a latch system are still equipped with hood pins to hold the hood buttoned down if the latch fails. Ford Racing’s M-16700-A addresses both concerns — providing a secure, positive pin-style retention system and delivering the period-correct aesthetic that Mustang enthusiasts expect.

Ford Racing parts are track-tested on the best official race tracks, so even something as detail-oriented as a hood latch assembly reflects the standards demanded in competition. Ford Racing manufactures quality parts spanning everything from engines to dress-up accessories, parts big and small, and the hood latch pin kit exemplifies that breadth — a small part with big implications for both safety and style.

A Perfect Fit for Mustang Builds

Whether you’re restoring a Fox-body Mustang to its factory appearance, building a track-day car, or simply upgrading aging hood hardware on a late-model Mustang, Ford Racing’s hood latch assembly solutions are engineered specifically for Ford platforms. The direct-from-the-manufacturer design approach means no guesswork on fitment and no compromises on finish quality. Browse the full Ford Racing catalog to discover the depth of performance and restoration parts available across every system on your Ford vehicle.