Abstract: A tamper-proof locking mechanism for a vehicular engine compartment, the compartment having a (a) hood closure member with a striker secured within the compartment to the hood; (b) a latch mechanism having a movable latch for catching and holding the striker when such striker is brought into a predetermined position relative to compartment; (c) a bracket secured or connected to the other closure member having (i) walls secured to the latch mechanism for fixing such mechanism in a desired spatial position for receiving the striker, (ii) a saddle with spaced walls defining a track closed at one end by the saddle; and (d) a lock having a housing provided with (i) a tumbler body slidable in and along the track and nestable on the saddle for being secured in an operative position, (ii) housing flanges at opposite regions of the body that overlap the edges of both of the spaced saddle walls, each flange contacting the edges of the side walls at one end of the body to ride thereon and fit flush thereagainst as well