The relief cut was tack welded with a TIG welder once the hood edge was roughed into shape, and Norm continued adjusting contours with a hammer and dolly.

There was plenty of shrinking and stretching required to fine tune the front of the hood after final welding....

...Norm used a fine-tip torch to heat and stretch the metal,...

...a hammer and dolly to work it, and compressed air to cool and shrink it.

Finally, a body file was used to clean and finish the welds and the metalworked areas.

Here's a look at the hood in bare metal, prior to primer. Note the front brace and latch striker support welded back in place; the rear brace bolted on with the hood hinges. Thanks to Norm's metalworking skills, very little filler work will be needed before the hood is ready for paint prep,...

...and my Plymouth now has a smooth nose job that lets everyone know it's a mild custom in progress.