Thanks for the suggestions. I may have to just measure and mount my latches, and see how it does with them installed. If not, I think placing some rubber shims underneath the edge of the body, like you said, may help. Other than that, I guess it will just be up to using some body filler (Rage, I assume?).

Just a point to note. I do not intend to do the final fitting and body work on this thing. My goal is to get edges cut down just enough so that everything will fit, so I can get latches and stuff installed and aligned. Whoever I get to do my paint and body work will hopefully know how to make all the edges flush and seamless. That's my hope, anyway.

Like I said, I've got a ratchet strap around the widest point of the hood right now, pulling it into a tighter curve. I don't know if fiberglass will set and take a form, but it lines up beautifully with a little tension from the ratchet strap.