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Alternitive grills for a 32 ford?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by JimSibley, Dec 5, 2007.

  1. Since your car has a competition look to it, why not try a solid aluminum insert that doesn't quite fill the open area?
    Maybe an inch smaller all around.
    Mount it on standoffs so it's out from the grille shell a little bit.
    Make one vertical bend to match the grille shell angles.

    I'm guessing enough air may flow around the edges and through the radiator to supply adequate cooling air for the radiator.
    You'd probably want a shrouded mechancal fan on the engine side so as to pull the max air possible.
     
  2. steel rebel
    Joined: Jun 14, 2006
    Posts: 3,604

    steel rebel
    Member Emeritus

    Don't listen to the doubters. Do something different. Everybody told Jake not to put a truck grill on his 34. Now it's a classic. Go for it. Go to a swap and fink something funky and kool.
     
  3. 327-365hp
    Joined: Feb 5, 2006
    Posts: 5,437

    327-365hp
    Member
    from Mass

    While not as pretty as a deuce grill, this one is certainly different. It might be a little crude for some peoples tastes but it fits this car perfectly. I like it but I think it would look a whole lot better if they had curved the top corners of the insert.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Take a piece of wood, cut holes w/ hole saw, radius edges w/ router. Use heat gun to 'sag' the plexi into the holes.

    There are some guys who've tried to do airplane canopies with the 'drape over a form' method; it didn't work well enough for the optics to be good (can't have various thickness or it changes the focus) but you're talking about a grille insert - not a windshield.

    Disclaimer: I haven't actually tried doing this. But... I have bent plexi and lexan a couple times; think it has a chance. Might be worth spending a few scrap/remnant pieces on.
     
  5. mushmouth
    Joined: Aug 20, 2005
    Posts: 287

    mushmouth
    Member
    from Minnesota


    The whole time I was reading this I was thinking about the little deuce coupe too.
     
  6. dirtbag_46
    Joined: Aug 15, 2007
    Posts: 26

    dirtbag_46
    Member
    from ohio

    I think for a comp look I would go with a chopped shell no insert maybe a moon tank at the bottom half in the shell

    I wish some one was here to smack the mess outa me I never realised that that was thee duece coupe
     
  7. Kiwifruit
    Joined: Apr 21, 2006
    Posts: 199

    Kiwifruit
    Member

    Why not a chrome '32 shell:
     

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  8. there is a guy out on the left coast i believe that has a 35 ford grille on his 32. it really changes the whole look of the car, kind updating it . the car is black and possibly has 35 fenders on it also. it looks like a job barris or one of the other customizers would have done back in the day . mike
     
  9. you could also use a quarterround bit in the router and round over the front edge of the hole.. your plex would have to be over 1/4" or so.. and you'd have to sand and polish it, but it could be a nice look.
     
  10. JimSibley
    Joined: Jan 21, 2004
    Posts: 3,997

    JimSibley
    Member

    i decided on the ol 32 shell. i did narrow it 1.5 inches on the bottem. i choped it 3.5 inches and made this cool insert.
     

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  11. I think that it's too damned tall and the hood looks like it goes uphill - that really kills it for me.

    Steve
     
  12. shitbox2
    Joined: Sep 5, 2005
    Posts: 434

    shitbox2
    Member

  13. That was my very first attempt at building a hotrod. I was 20 years old, and didn't know shit from mud, but I was car crazy!!! As so often happens, there was a shortage of skills and money, and that car never was finished, instead it was sold to help finance a 1960 Chev Impala. (which was my very first drag car). It wasn't untill about 20 years later that I built my first successfull "ground up" hotrod.---Brian
     
  14. You are thinking of the [thread=221879]Blue Bird[/thread], '34 coupe, my all time Favorite!!!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  15. My vote is for Bishop's idea with the shell cut down to match your channel.
     
  16. junkyardroad
    Joined: Oct 3, 2007
    Posts: 410

    junkyardroad
    Member
    from Colorado

    Alternative girls and a 32? Perfect.
     
  17. Sorry to bring up this old thread but because my Tudor came with a truck grille (since sold) and I've always liked to do things just a little bit different, I'll be doing just this - sort of . . . :D

    Steve
     
  18. wsdad
    Joined: Dec 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,257

    wsdad
    Member

    [​IMG]

    Perfect! Where is it now?
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2010

  19. ohhhhh sweeet lightning holes on your frame!
     
  20. kookee
    Joined: Jan 19, 2008
    Posts: 526

    kookee
    Member

    I see you finished, but I would have suggested 32 desoto. Looks like the one on Bluebird.

    Seems like if you aren't using a 32 Ford on a 32 Ford, the masses think it is desecration of some sort.

    Your solution looks good by the way.
     
  21. wsdad
    Joined: Dec 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,257

    wsdad
    Member

    Found it!

    I liked it better with the long zoomies. Why did you take them off? The reason I ask is because I'm thinking of putting something similar on mine. Maybe you can save me the trouble if you had a reason(s) other than you just didn't like the way they looked. It's still a great looking car! So why did you go with the shorter headers?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  22. JimSibley
    Joined: Jan 21, 2004
    Posts: 3,997

    JimSibley
    Member

    hers the most recent pic of the 32. im liking the grill now.
     

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  23. langy
    Joined: Apr 27, 2006
    Posts: 5,730

    langy
    Member Emeritus

    Yep i like it !!!


     
  24. JimSibley
    Joined: Jan 21, 2004
    Posts: 3,997

    JimSibley
    Member

    This is what it looks like today. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1402815562.585887.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1402815582.120519.jpg


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  25. clem
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 4,593

    clem
    Member

    Yep. Looks great. Btt
     
  26. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,403

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    I hope this image is clear enough, but as I recall there were lots of custom rods in the 50-60's with a variety of fabricated inserts like the one on this model kit with a horizontal tube deal. Gary

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2014
  27. Austinrod
    Joined: Jun 14, 2012
    Posts: 2,364

    Austinrod
    Member
    from Austin

    I'm liking no grill insert
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1402834779.446408.jpg


    Posted from Austinrod
     

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