Alternitive grills for a 32 ford?

They are rare as hen's teeth but have you thought of a '32 "winter" grille? At least I THINK they are called winter grilles. Different insert shape. I saw one once at the Detroit Autorama on an old hot rod survivor.

 

Here's a few. The first is a 33 GMC(?) the second and third are '28-'30 Studebaker shells. The rusty one has a rounded front like a '32 shell, the one I have on my T is flat-faced, it's chopped about 7". The GMC is a probably a bit fancy for a drag car, but the other ones would look pretty cool.

 

There is a 32 coupe getting around Australia with a 28-9 grille shell.
Its UGLY!

 

How about a sectioned pinched 33 Lincoln grill and shell.
Has the look of a 33/4 Ford with that aggresive point at the bottom and a full depth(front to back) shell instead of that skinny slanted surround like the Fords.

 

I built this in 1966---and no, it wasn't a rat rod. It just wasn't finished when this picture was taken.---Brian

 

If you want to think outside the box........and you can see a "track style" nose........early 40's Packard grill.......or use a late 40's/early 50's Packard grill for the top and bottom of a nose and leave the center open for air flow........hmmmm.....can you see it.

Chris Nelson
Kansas

 

Half of the posts here speak of replacing the radiator shell, the other half the grille.
I'm betting there is an age factor in which say which.
Old guys know the grille is the grille(also called grille insert).
Young guys think the radiator shell is a grille.

 

My take on the 32 shell and insert combo...........

32 shell with out the insert is like a woman without boobs.........they can be beautiful, but there just missing something.

 

These are very cool looking, but I don't think it fits the race car aesthetic.

 

If you don't run a Deuce shell, how about a Whippet?

 

You've got a point there.LOL

Either way, (I just put on my best bullet proof vest,I'm sure I'll get some flak over this) I like the lines of the body and fenders alot,3 or 5 wn. but the 32 Grille and Shell never really tripped my trigger all that much anyway.

 

i vote for none, shell or insert

 

Make it +3.

Here's one Jimmy White built. I'm thinking of copying it for my '28 grill, but with the holes punched in a diamond arrangement instead of square arrangement (does that make sense?)

 

Man,
That jimmy White car looks good. Im thinkin the no shell thing is growin on me though. Viva littleman.

 

How about mocking that Willys one up that's hanging on the wall? I would normally never think it would work due to the extreme difference in design but, from this vantage point and considering the build style, just maybe . . .

Steve

 

What about that rounded thing on the orange and silver tour car that was on the cover of Street Rodder a while back? It looked like someone narrowed up an old 40s refrigerator door, and added chrome bars to the front of it.

 

A friend of mine is building this

 

yes, thats it

 

....

 

My A is runnin' a 33 Chevy grille. Though I can see myself wanting to try a deuce grille in the future.

 

You could modify a 31 chrysler grill like this. It looks kinda like a pines winterfront.

 

So, smartypants, what does a '33 Ford have?


On the subject car, if you want it to have a "real" 60's look, do not use round belled holes. No offense to Ionia, but round belled holes have no place in true traditional hot rod builds. The only cars in Hot Rod Magazine in the 50's or 60's that might have had belled holes were high end Indy cars.

I vote for a filled 32 shell with a flat painted insert, with a monster on it.

 

I agree with the dimple die'd insert. Even better would be dimple die'd colored plexi.

 

What about a '32 CHEVY grill shell.....
Guy's back then weren't so "hung up" on what parts to use as they are today...

 

Whippet good
dave

 

Whippet shells are great (for a T), but I don't know about putting one on a '32

Any pics?

 

How in the heck would you dimple plexi glass?

 

this is the one in my vicky???

 

here`s a couple. notice the 32 is wider at the bottom.pinstripe the insert or drill holes?

 

I just did this for the Friday Art Show.
It's a 32 roadster with a 36 grill.
I thought the sloped back look
went great with the 32 body.