Yeah so I have always likes the 54 desoto grille and I decided to try it out and put one in my 50 merc. I made is an 11 tooth grille instead of a 9 tooth so that the turn signals line up with the headlights. After all the work I'm not really too sure about it. I think I still ike my stock grill better, or maybe a stock 49 better even still. What do all of you out there think???? Should I go back to stock or go to the desoto grill I have in there now?
I like the desoto, but it's your car, do what you like, for instance I'd knock that ornament off the hood, but then, that's just me.
I think what makes it look off is that you widened it for the signals. Part of what makes those type of custom grills work so well is the negative space which you have eliminated by widening it.
You don't see many 54 Desoto grilles in the 49-50 Mercs, so I think you have done a good job to create something unique. The stock grilles are common, but they do look good. The earlier Desoto grilles are also more commonly used in these cars. So good for you for standing out from the crowd.
Wow looks pretty even at this point. But slightly more for the stock grille. Since I have the desoto grill all mounted up I think I'm going to keep it for a little while. But not fill any of the holes for the stock grille cuz I'm leaning on going back that direction.
I have a 51 2dr merc ,I love your desoto concept I have used a 49 merc, 53 desoto , after the last crash ,I'm thinking 55 desoto, But your 54 has me thinking .
I put a 49 center,and replaced the 50. I like it better,but just my .02c worth.At least it's an option with the stock piece.Or,fill in the center with pieces? It's what you think that COUNTS!
As the owner of a bone stock 50 Merc, I have to say I like what you've done there with the DeSoto grille. Nice fit. It works well with the pinstriping, the chop, the nosing(keep the hood ornament) and so on. The stock grille looks fine, but considering what you've already accomplished, having the stock grille there would make the job look incomplete. But as usual it all comes down to what you like the best. Either way, you have a very nice Merc there. Oh, and I like the no-skirts look. The natural scenery there looks nice, too. Colorado is fantastic.
they both look great, but if you really need to part with that desoto grill , I have a 49 shoebox it would look nice in.
I don't think the modified DeSoto grille works with that front bumper. Needs a 51-53 DeSoto bumper to go with it, which is more square. Did you take the Vee shape out of the grille when you widened it? Maybe that's what is throwing it off. If I were building one with a Merc grille, I'd use a '50 center tooth and '49 parking lights. That's the cleanest combination and would look right with that bumper.
I really like the 49 grill. but ya know it is your car do what you want f%$# everybody else. on the other side of that coin the desoto grill is kickass.. just my two cents....
I've owned a 54 DeSoto. I like the way you widened it and I like it with the DeSoto grille. I say keep the DeSoto.
I put the '49 grill back on mine. It had a Winfield floating wing when I got it,but I had planned on putting the stock one back on,all along. I've never cared for that Desoto grill in a Merc,but I like how you stretched it. Different take on it.
JC Whitney used to make a 'filler' for the Merc grille. It eliminated the 'bumper guard' and filled it with a continuation that V'd in the center. (has anyone repro'd that one?) That's the way I'd go. I can see the edge of the smaller cavity behind the extra teeth you added. Cavity is too narrow for the wider teeth spacing, otherwise looks nice...but would take major cutting and forming to widen that grille cavity behind.
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