Tractor Grille Shells on your hot rod?

We have seen some very nice tractor grilles sitting in numerous desolate fields...no doubt, many of you have as well....We are getting ready to rescue a few, and were wanting to request any photos from the board of anyone utilizing a tractor shell on their hot rod....also, if you know what it came off of?
We are guilty of doing mental cuts on 'em in the short amount of time it takes to drive by, but what are the realities of adapting one to a project?
Thanks in advance.....

 

sorry for ot'ing on your post but I just got to know......is there more than one of you inside that head....I've noticed its always "We". Are you encluding Kali or do we have something in common with the skitzofrantic don't panic disorder............

 

Oh boy - now the cats out of the bag!!

I have been bidding for one of these on egay for a while now unsucessfully, seems the restorers like to give good money for a straight one. And, a decent name plate goes for big $$$.

just verify dimensions from the seller and some are cast iron so the weight will kill your shipping budget. The WC grills seem to be prevelant and fit nicely, Deeres are usually too narrow (~17") Ford 800 series look cool and could work with sides added to them.

Here's a trick - when searching the 'gay spelling can be grill or grille and sometimes shroud will show one.

Can't believe I am rambling like this, but we are family.

 

I actually know a guy from a local club who is using a tractor grill setup on a kustom 28 dodge roadster, I'll try to post some pictures in a bit .......

hunter

 

You got it right on both counts, Jester....
Ever heard of Chang and Eng?

Photos?Anyone?

 

I always thoght a grill off of a ****shut would be cool.

 

Funny you mention this, as just a few days ago I spotted a really cool art-deco style grill and hood on an OLD snow cat at an abondoned ski area not far from here. Would look really cool on a roadster. Tempted to go up there late some night with a box of tools.

 

I may or may not be using one like this on my modified...may use most of a '37 truck shell instead. This is an older Case shell.



Here's one:

 

[ QUOTE ]
I always thoght a grill off of a ****shut would be cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Those were cool looking in th 40s but I wouldn't want to bother splainin the name all the damn time.
I would put a '48 Oliver shell on a Model A rod in a second.

 

Not to change the subject to much, but I saw a pic in a magazine article on Vern Tardell's shop of a 34 sedan with a narrowed 37 truck grill. That looked really sweet. Much better than the super expensive 34 grill shell.

 

If you look at your HAMB calendar, in the garage scene, that's a ****shutt grill hanging infront of the banger motor.

 

This is what originally got us going...Hans' 27 Roadster project...
( this photo was taken awhile back,the sbc was for temp mock-up...Flathead Caddy reserved for it.)

The grille came from a '37 IH 2-ton truck....Hans' shortened it approx.8" and will ultimately narrow it another 2".....he will handmake a wire insert for it...

 

I'm useing a 30s Minniapolis-Moline shell. I'ts a bit heavy, but it mounts through the bottom flange, has headlight stantion mounts and is heavy duty enuogh to support the radiator. The grille on them is just expanded metal, so I may buils something out of aluminum.
The ****shut grille is beautiful. A one man mod would look cool with a David-Bradley shell.

 

That pic of K&R's idea work's well ineed.

 

Hey Johnny, I have an extra tractor shell for ya. I got $435.00 in it...let me know if you are interested.

 

Hey Johnny, Here is the one I'm using on my T. Its a 1937 Oliver.

 

Great posts,folks.....I forgot to ask about other shells being put to use,so it's good that other vehicles are being included in the thread.....

 

Here's one I found in a gullywash in St Charles Idaho about
twenty two years ago. It hung out as yard art till about two years ago when I had a brainstorm for the coupe. Filled all three holes and made the insert out of 5/16 rod.
Allis Chalmers, early fifties I think. But then who cares.

 

I'm going to use a '48 Oliver grille and shell on a modified project I'm collecting parts for. I got it from an Oliver restorer before they got popular, now he wants it back, He's out of luck

Frank

 

What about a Ford 8N grille, on a Ford 'bucket?

if that doesn't work try the link
Ford 8N tractor

 

I'll be using a mid 50's case shell on my Tudor!

 

Johnny,

It's a great way to go. They're very unique and in most cases cheap. We (Im not a Schizo, talkin bout the Barons) went out to a local yard with Barnett and found a nice one. We couldn't get that thing pulled off quick enough. It'll be goin on Danny's little bucket.

 

I have two of these. Dean

 

And I thought I was alone, when it came to tractor grilles.. They are the shiznit..

 

This is an example for "something differant is cool" No matter what you do or think,its still a tractor grill!They belong on tractors!!Come on guys this is a "fad" that should never catch on.
I know a guy whos building a T bucket & hes using an old "standup" milk truck grill & let me tell you its the ugliest ****in thing I have ever seen put on a rod.Nothin wrong with a nice Model A or duece grill.I know your going to say"Everybody" uses those but the reason they'
re used is cause they look good!!lol
JimV

 

[ QUOTE ]
.Nothin wrong with a nice Model A or duece grill.
JimV

[/ QUOTE ]

Except the price these fools want for them now. That's what's apealing about an alterantive, they're usually really cheap.

 

[ QUOTE ]
No matter what you do or think,its still a tractor grill!They belong on tractors!!


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I thought this was hot rodding. Nothing "belongs" anywhere. If it looks cool (and no one can tell me that those swoopy Oliver and ****shutt grilles don't look cool), go for it.

 

Olskool - The problem with the 8N & 9N grilles is you need to cut/tack the hood and sides to make a unit, not that it can't be done, it would get pricey unless you have one laying around.

 

heres the same or similar grille as one posted already on a different rod.

 

[ QUOTE ]
heres the same or similar grille as one posted already on a different rod.

[/ QUOTE ] Same car. BenD built it here in Missouri. Dean