Looking for custom grill ideas for 49 Dodge

Sitting here searching the HAMB trying to find pics of possible frontend treatment. Looking at possible floating bar or merc type surround. I know there will be alot of sheetmetal work. Question is if I wanted to add a lower piece, and raise the bottom of the hood and add a piece that connected the fenders, other than bolting, how could someone accomplish a clean one piece look, I know its by welding but what about the support s inside? Any ideas? Maybe photoshop help?

Heres the build thread for the car its for.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430749&page=5

 

1950 plymouth grill is nice looking , might be easier to mount it in there

 

I know this board isn't billet friendly however I thought it would be nice so make a billet grille that would start flat by the bumper and then blend into the hood lines....

 

How about the bottom half of a 40 Ford grill in the center from the bottom of the hood down (would have to shorten one) and fill the fenders in.

 

here is my 50 plymouth grill

 

I like the Plymouth grill, the stock Dodge one is close but has some vertical bars added, possibly could remove them and pull the horizontal bars closer. I was thinking so far of bringing bottom lip of the hood even with the fender line, and radiusing it. Then I was going to add metal to the inside corners of the grill opening, a rounder opening, but don't know if I should bring them in like a merc grill. Another option was cut the fenders and make the opening wider, and add a surround like a 50 chevy.

 

46-48 ford deluxe is my vote!!

 

I just did a grill on my 46 , I'll get you some pics, it took way too long, but it looks way better than a smashed 46 grill!

 

how about a 55 plym?

 

1954 Buick Special grill and 54 Buick headlights mounted sideways.

 

Check out the hood "bulge" on the front of a '54/'55 Cadillac...looks to me like it might be a similar shape to your Dodge hood...and FWIW, I have one for sale...

R-

 

How about 1948 Cadillac?
Looks good in in PhotoChop.
Not sure if this will work in real life!

 

46 47 oldsmobile.

 

Thanks for the ideas so far, done with dinner now so on to looking up all these car pics. I also forgot about Riks photos, lots of ideas there.

 

A 50 Dodge grille is nicer than the 49. With some cleaning up done it can look nice and cl***y without too much gingerbread. Attached is my Dad's 50 Wayfarer Sportabout. To use the 50 Dodge grille you will need the thin piece of trim that goes on the bottom of the hood. For my 49, I'm thinking about blacking out all vertical bars on the 49 grille and adding another thinner horizontal bar between the existing ones.

 

I like the look of the original grille...very cl***y!

I don't know what "build year" you have in mind but this is what I came up with...all I have is Windows Paint so DON'T LAUGH!!!

A stock photo & A slight grille section and removal of the vertical bars.

 

I like a floating grills. I was going to do much the same but it won`t work with my setup. here is a few ideas I had found

 

I'm going to have to look at my stock grill again, but fitzee, your #4 pic, I remember that build, and thats sort of what I was thinking originally. I still like the Buick grills, but don't know if they would work with the peak of my hood.

 

I tried a chop and full body section also. I don't think I came close to the actual amount taken out of yours, but we're just spit-ballin' anyway.

I bet Photoshop is a blast to use and tons easier.

 

40 ford ish.

 

here's what I did with mine. 49 Plymouth upper and lower with 52 Buick teeth. I like it anyways....

 

Ya know, I always thought the hood looked like a beak like the 40 ford. Could someone photoshop a 56 desoto grill and bumper on it? Moparman, I actually was looking at yours, I do like the buick grills.

 

Here's my '49 Wayfarer; It has '50 front fenders (the grille opening is a little wider) and a '50 stock upper and lower bars. We had stainless side pieces made with the same profile for the sides and it has a corvette grille in the opening.

 

Was there not a pretty well known custom back in the day that used something like a '46 Chevy grill? Maybe I'm 'maginin stuff again... but it might fit pretty well - of course you'd have to find one to see...

-Dave

 

I took a look at the stock grill, can't use it after all. The grill bars are notched for the vertical bars, so can't remove them. Heres a pic with the stock grill, but whats getting me is the peak of the hood, it sticks out so far forward, high and peaked. Might have to cut the front of the hood, round line on 2nd pic is just an idea.

 

wow that grill is in good shape. I like it as is. As for the hood out to far I think it flows with the fenders that way. I don`t know if it will look right cut back if you look from the side.

 

Ah, I see. Is it pot metal or steel? You could always make a bunch of "filler" pieces once the verticals are removed...it would be a ton of work but c'mon, you sectioned and chopped the car you should be up for it!

 

Looks like it'd whistle when you drive down the road... no worries of hitting any deer!!!

 

hey hey. i like the floater idea..just round the top left and right corners m fill in the holes and build a floater or a 54 chevy grille would look sweet...keep us posted

 

Here is an idea: Find another '49 Dodge grille and take the bottom bar.
Use it as the middle bar in your grille. Fill in the small light holes.
Not sure how to resolve the top bar. Maybe a '49 Plymouth would work?