You are talking about your early Barracuda aren't you? The picture is obviously not a early A because the plastic plugs in the engine compartment are missing but the early cars have similar drains. Debris enters the cowl vent and plugs these corner vents. The moisture rusts the corners out. If leaves get in the fenders around the hood hinges, that stuff can plug the drains on the bottom of the fender just behind the wheel opening and rust out there too.View attachment 1715150590
The corners drain out at the fenders. Here's a thread for a 68 Dart: Cowl Cleaning
