Sorry, I seem to have led you astray about getting the latch panel disconnected from the hood. The nuts are captive type, so you can't put a wrench on them.
I dug out the latch panel from my hood and snapped a few of photos. The rod brace from the edge of the hood to the latch panel does have a nut and bolt securing it at both ends, so you could twist those of, but to get the latch panel out, you'll need to either use heat or drill out the bolts. That being said, I still think you could use a cutoff wheel to remove the emblem.
The first pic shows the whole panel as if you were looking from the front of the hood. The second shows the top side with the captive nuts, and the third shows the bottom side which mates above the flanges on the hood itself. The hole toward the center of the panel in the last two photos is where the rod brace bolts to it. You can also see in the latter photos the evidence of heating up the bolts to get them loose from the rust.
Hope that helps.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
