Question about the large hood scoop on the SS cars

You're right. My guess is in '68 the engineers were simply trying to cram as much air in as possible. Also, IIRC, there was a height limit on scoops in the S/S class so that played into it too. I've seen a "lip" added to these scoops right in-line with the opening attached to the hood to "push" (?) this boundary layer up & into the scoop in an effort (I guess) to make that air actually useful..... don't know how effective that is, but it's an interesting gimmick some guys tried....