I'm looking for a steel 32 Ford radiator shell with top fill and crank holes. I have NO idea what to look for, due to the fact that some descriptions say "Use with so-and-so grille", and who has what quality for which price. I'd REALLY hate to get a shell, and/or grille, and one won't fit the other. Anybody run into this? Help! Thanks, guys...
I have tryed several Brookville shells over the years and they are stacked up in my wherehouse for when I decide to go swaping (Dales insert fit like a saddle on a sow). When I built my current deuce roadster I used the Vintique unfilled shell because it had the proper slots in the bottom, I filled it and used a Dales insert which fit perfectly and the whole deal looks original. Costs a little more but worth it.
I've been buying my Vintique shells from Baxter Ford Parts in Lawerence Kansas and the Dales inserts from Pete and Jakes in Peculiar Missouri. I personally think the American made Dales inserts are the closest to original you can get. The shells are made overseas but they fit a hell of a lot better than Brookville.
Get a vintique and cut the crank and drain holes. They are filled, but have all the other holes for the hood welt. More authentic looking that the Brookville, IMO.
I've cut the slots in the bottom of several Brookville shells and deduced that I would rather fill the Vintique shell than cut the slots. I wanted a little more peak running down the top of the shell. I personally think the filled Vintique is a little flat. The Vintuques either filled or unfilled have the right touchs as scottermcrad says
Fully agree! Too flat! Check out the grille shell treatment of B***' latest build (Wade coupe). Little hammering went a long way! The biggest difference I've noticed between brookville and vintique is the very bottom of the shell. The radius is different. Putting the Vintique next to a genuine 32 shows how much more accurate it is. The lower roll on the brookville is much fatter.
There are filled 32 shells which are the flat looking ones and there are filled and peaked 32 shells which are the beautiful peaked ones. Sadly the flat topped ones are the only ones being made maybe because the terms are not universal and somebody didn't know.
Does Vintique make one that has the top, crank, and drain holes in it? And BTW, 'gl*** one is absolutely out of the question...
Bob Drake isn't a bad fit .I bought one And is a real nice quality .I sold mine and the new owner was happy with quality.
Vintique makes a gennie style shell with all the stock holes which as stated is what I started with on my latest roadster!
The Vintique stock (unfilled)grill shell has the crank holes and the filled top version does not have the crank holes. So like krylon said,get the stock version and fill the top. I really like the paintable plain steel grill bar insert,adds a touch of cl*** when painted black.. I have pictures somewhere in this 'puter.. Hey join the Alliance and save on both from me ! (pm me) gotta get back to work... eriC
Question... sort of on a tangent, but since we're on the subject of repop 32 shell details... Does anyone make just the grille bars for the insert??
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