Projects 1950 Styleline coupe kustom build thread.

I was capitulating on using a rough ‘49 Caddy grill that I have or trying to replicate a Merc like grille surround like ate aforementioned Devil’s lettuce features. I ultimately decided to go Merc style. I made a wood form that follows the contour of the front lip of the hood. I took a section of 1.75” OD electrical conduit and cut slits every inch then used clamps to press the tube into the contour and tack welded to hold the shape. The more difficult part of the process was then bending this section to follow the contour of the hood on the other axis. I got it fairly close using a hydraulic press. It will require some lead or filler to perfect the shap but it looks pretty decent.

 

I took some 16 gauge sheet and made a panel that would bridge the tow fenders and again follow the contour of the front hood lip. This panel will contain the type I made for the grille surround. The next task was to trim away the stock inner fender panel to allow the tube grille to blend into the fender. I used a U-bend piece of exhaust tube to create the radius’s arch at each end of the grille opening.

 

I then used the exhaust tube radius to mark and trim away the fender to allow the tube to integrate into the fender. The tubes were tacked in place. And then trimmed flush to the fender bottoms. The bumper filler has been rough trimmed to fit. I will need to fabricate panels
That connect the filler to the fenders as well as fabricate the inner grille surround. I welded all the slits up and ground down the welds which really sucked. Would have been smarter to
Use a tube bender! Then, I mocked everything up. I was originally going to use a ‘56 Chrysler grille bar but wound up picking up a rough ‘55 Desoto grille that fills the space better. I have front fender sections with headlights from a ‘55 Olds that I am considering grafting in but I kind of like the stock headlight rings frenched in. I’m on the fence but it may be good to use some restraint.

 

I will no longer be able to
Use the stock hood latch so I need to figure out how to strengthen the fender bridge, build and align a new latch system.