Latch for side panel of engine hood

A vehicle having an engine hood and latching means comprising, a vehicle chassis including a front axle support means mounted on a side frame, said front axle support defining vertical walls connected to said side frame, with a floor portion extending between said walls, means defining a closed auxiliary compartment including a grille and a radiator mounted on said front axle support means, an engine hood including side panels extending over said grille and radiator and downwardly to said front axle support, a latch having a latch hook, a panel anchor mounted on the front portion of each of said panels for engaging said latch hook in the latched position, means pivotally suspending said side panels from their upper edges, a latch mounted on said vehicle chassis including a U-shaped handle having ends connected to said latch hook extending vertically through apertures in the floor portion of the axle support means inwardly of said panel, a latch hook on said latch engaging said panel anchor in the latched position, resilient means including springs on said latch handle biasing said latch hook downwardly to engage said panel anchor in the latched position, a latch cam on said latch hook formed by a downwardly extending curved portion on said latch hook, said panel anchor defining a downwardly curved leading edge for engagement with said latch cam to raise said latch hook and overcome the force of said resilient means to engage said latch when said panel is swung inwardly to close said compartment, said handle on said latch extending externally of said auxiliary compartment for manually overcoming the force of said resilient means and thereby releasing said latch.