I'd like to have a dollar for every time a projector deleted chrome trim from his projectee because it was rusty or damaged....... and then said, "I made it better".
Hello, The thought of smooth front end of any 40 Ford is always preferrable to someone who has owned one some time in their lives. As a teen, I had a Flathead powered sedan delivery. then years later, when my wife and I got married, we needed a way to advertise our fledgling photo business. so, we went looking for hot rods that would fit. We all like to be different in many ways, thoughts, individual styles and philosophy of life. Who cares what anyone says anyway? The older we get, the smarter we become due to the fact that we have lived through thick/thin, adapted to our continued lifestyle and have come out fairly ok for our long lasting lives. We are happy with the direction we took then and now. So, do what you want. Despite favoritism after our 40 Ford Sedan Delivery project we purchased during our 20 something days, clean lines and styling was our goal. We certainly thought about the color red as we cruised around after working for months getting “things” right. It was nice looking when we saw it the first time, but looks can be deceiving. Even our test drive was great. Later we suspected our want for the sedan delivery was so great that we overlooked the safety aspect of driving and handling. But, in retrospect, how it came was how it was going to be. If we did not like the color down the line, then it could always be re-painted. The trim was a deluxe 40 Ford grille and hood. So, it was already nice. If it had the wider trim, it would have been taken off. The trim just looks too much for the smooth semi streamlined front end of a 40 Ford of any kind. Jnaki At the time, we were in the stock appearing look and style. We even stayed with black painted wheels and put on beauty trim rings to make it look like the Flathead sedan delivery I had as a teenager. The look and cost appealed to my wife and we certainly got plenty of comments versus shiny chrome rims or 5 spoke American racing equipment mags. But for most people that saw our hot rod, it looked stock on the outside, comfortable, powerful and nice inside. YRMV
@jnaki I cant argue with that and I like the look of a shaved hood and deck lid. But the 41 PU had such an incredible ornament, nothing like it previous and nothing like it since. It is a defining characteristic in my eyes. ut then again, we are hot rodders and not restorers. Tough one.
I'd use them......the suggestion of a fit, sit and ponder is a good one as well as you know it when you see it...
Late again, as usual. Mine was missing the whiskers when I first bought it, so here's a slight visual in black w/o whiskers.
You may be late to the party but at least you came packing a fresh bottle. That pic makes me think I need those whiskers. Are you adding them or going clean shaven?
Put them on as it had the holes for them. Holes.......and you can see my grill doesn't have the hole for safety latch . Bought the Drake ones and they've been on for a year or so.........and of course I don't have pictures.
Strange, is that a factory grille? Not drilled out for the safety catch? Here is a picture for reference. Counter sunk. I used a 1/4 20 counter sunk with a domed head, Phillips head as that is all I could find in SS (it matches the other hardware shown). I did have to open the hole a tiny bit with a hand file to fit the bolt. The little knob that releases the catch sticks out through the domed slot above the mounting hole.
Gotta run em. Without it lends a sort of "...couldn't find any so I welded up the holes..." look. I also think without it adds too much visual bulk to the center. Sometimes leaving stock details is a class act.
Fine line for sure. But if you weren’t “restoring” at least some of the original parts or design, you’d be building your own new car from raw materials.
On that first picture it looks like the whiskers actually create a gap with the grille. Personally, I fill the holes and leave the whiskers off. Then later if you decide that was the wrong way to go, just drill ne w hole and put em on. I know you have more of an affinity for chrome than I do and a tasteful eye for its application..........me I like chrome which accents rather than dominates.
Thanks! I love that frame and I am thinking about building one for the rear window. That will be a bit harder but I have a plan in mind.
Uh, yeah. It's like looking up stippers in Portland when all you want is to get some parts dipped. Oh, my, that didn't sound right. I meant cleaned.
The ole pickup is really minimalist for shiny even when fully dressed...those really belong in my opinion...is that my second yes... That pic Hotrod A shared just cements my vote...Henry's design team really had a good eye for timeless design...
I have a buddy that can't grow hair on his cheeks (facial). He faults his girlfriend that doesn't shave her upper thighs. I am not sure if I buy that one, but it makes for a good tail (sic). I think I am going for the full monte. Whiskers it is.
I was in the camp of leaving them off until I saw the real world comparison shots. I say bolt them on. It really balances out the heft of the hood trim
IF the hood doesn't FIT GOOD ? I BET 85% OF pu's and Standards hood don't fit correctly on the Drivers side. I like the added "whiskers, on the '41...... please use'em
Agreed. There is not a lot of trim on these trucks other than the front end. It can look a bit heavy in front but the trucks I have seen completely shaved look a bit street roddy to me. I used to restore cars, than I over restored cars, then I started cutting them up and making them mine. I keep the cool factory stuff, add my own seasoning. That truck needs some metal alignment! And yes, the whiskers actually add to the misalignment on that one. You always read about the 40 PU, but the 41 does have an elegant deco nose and the tailgate is cooler with out the V8 logo. Of course, now I know that 41's had 6 cylinder options so the tail gate makes more sense. I am with you Tim. I was torn when I started the thread but I am convinced and convicted now. And that is one of the reasons I have not painted the hood yet, it needs to fit correctly and I am not afraid of cutting it up to make it fit. Whiskers it is!
Yep, that is cool but what I failed to express was that in the world of Ford pickups, the 41 hood ornament is a game changer.
The Jalopy Journal
