>Man, oh man.  I wasn't misunderstanding. I, too, have poked around lots
>and lots of Vans and other busses, but have never encountered the
>plastic lid. Isn't it noisy? Is it strong enough to ensure a load? What
>happens in the event of an engine fire? Torched passengers? Doesn't
>sound safe. Why would you want to have a plastic engine compartment lid?
>Weight savings? Manufacturing cost? Sounds like a dumb idea. I say buy a
>metal one from Chris...
>
>AB

My 84 Caravelle had a white plastic lid. Light, always looking tidy,
but no shield in the event of a fire. Which is why I brought a metal
one in from Germany. MUCH heavier, but safer (though a fire will burn
the seal away and enter the cargo bay, its access will be restricted
to the narrow gap resulting, rather than roaring in through a
half-meter-square opening).

The plastic one is strong enough and doesn't let much noise through;
my van (admittedly with a GM-H V6) was pretty quiet.

If you want a NICE lid, go plastic. If you want a heavy clumsy SAFE
clunker, go steel. A pickup (doka) lid is a normal steel one with a
wood top attached; the wood can be removed for use in a van.