Through all this though, I am still at odds over what I should actually build this out of.
I dunno, man. I'm thinkin' you'd better make a BUNCH just like that & sell 'em on Ebay. Lookit...
1 Adjustable air inlet 2 Corregated heat insulation technology 3 Easy to repair & re-use if the car is wrecked 4 If the car burns up, you get repeat business 5 pliable bulkheads will not dent or severely damage the underside of the hood 6 Inexpensive, quick, & easy to produce 7 Low materials cost 8 Your kids could help you assemble them 9 Your kids could use them as a show & tell project for school 10 any leftovers can be used to start up the fire place. 11 Possibly lighter than carbon fiber - the new technology in automotive ricing...er, racing! 12 Lightweight means low shipping costs 13 they are their own shipping container! BONUS!!