Hello all, Im sure this topic has been covered but I cant seem to find the answer I am looking for when I do a search. I have a 1931 Model A Tudor Sedan, No Fenders or Hood I want to run a smooth style grille shell, no radiator or crank hole My options seem to be the aftermarket 28/29 grille shell or the 32 grille shell The 32 Grille Shell has a nice stainless steel insert while the 28/29 style I cant seem to find any type of insert other than a rock guard Did the 28/29 shell have any kind of insert or was the radiator exposed through the grille shell opening? I like the look of the shorter 28/29 grill shell but I did see the 32 grill shell is available in a chopped version. Is the chopped 32 shekll about the same height as the 28/29 shell? Also, any advice from someone that has gone for this look would be greatly appreciated!!!
The Model A shell did not come with an insert. Although I own a '32 I really like an A grill shell on an A - especially the early ones. You could always paint the grill body color. That's what I'm doing on a '32 Chevy that I'm building. The '32 shell on A models has really been overdone. Just one reporter's opinion, of course.
I built one for my 29. I used stainless mesh bent over a wood buck to shape it so it would be raised in the grille opening and not flat. Worked out pretty good
Rochie, do you have any pictures of the backside of the grill? Just curious how you are holding the mesh in place.
Looks awesome!!! I really wanted to stay away from the 32 grill shell too. I was wondering why I couldnt find an insert for the 28/29, they never had one! I want to keep the model a shell so I will just have to see what I can do for an insert or just run a stone guard! As always, Thanks!!!
Next Dilema, all the stone guards I see have the holes in them! I was looking for a filled one but not sure if they exist!
FWIW, Model As did not have grilles, ergo, they don't have grille shells. It's a radiator shell. Rant Over
I have to say that one of my pet peaves in this world is a '30-'31 "A" with a '28-'29 grill shell. It just looks wrong to my eye. If you want something smooth and body color that isn't a deuce shell, look for a '30-'31 commercial shell and cut it down to suit.
I would prefer the "radiator shell" to be stainless or chrome. I plan on lowering the body on the frame so the cowl should align with the top of the shell. I am hoping that with the 28/29 shell everything looks like it is supposed to be there. I would completely understand if the 28/29 shell looked too short with a stock height body. Again, any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Honestly, if you want it to be chrome or shiney, I think i would just cut down a '30 unit myself an run it. A good welder can deal with the stainless weld and just do it down low by the apron so the welds are minimal. If not, a '32 shell does always look good, but I too think they have been over done at this point.
Uncle Phil I built a 1/8th by 1/2 strap edge and welded it to the stainless after it was formed and fit. I welded 1/4 studs to the back of the shell and drilled corresponding holes in the edging
Actually its wider. 28 and 30 side by side Haven't got any numbers right now, it is an old pic, I had lying around
I put some perforated sheet in my opening, mainly to hide the little radiator. It's just tack welded on the back of the shell.
My A should just annoy the hell out of you louvers, 1930 with 28-29 shell the frame is Z'd 3" so you would use a 28 shell so it lines up with the cowl. as stated above the 28 shell is wider, alowing proper fitment of a radiator. my pet peave is the ugly '30 shell 5" higher than the cowl, or mounted forward of the x member maybe even leaned back.
30/31 needs a 30/31 shell.. If the car is channeled, just notch the bottom and let it sit lower.. But hey, that's just my opinion....
Here is mine... its a 30 with a 30 grill. I just cut a 4" notch off the bottom to match the 4" channel of the body. Also, a 1965 mustang rad fits perfect in a model a grill, if channeled.
Absolutely agreed about a radiator mounted too high, too forward or slanted on a channeled car! I wasn't suggesting using a '30 shell at full height on one either. I even gave some simple guidelines on cutting it down. But yes, I don't like a '28-'29 shell on anything but a '28-'29. Probably a good thing your car isn't mine, right? I have a '28 truck shell on my RPU, but the truck is a '28 too.
Custom made my own also, got sick of looking at the ugly radiator, used alloy flat bar on edge, made a base plate and drilled and tapped each bar at each end, each bar is bolted with 3mm cup head bolts, a lot of work but happy with end result..
I've got this crazy idea to use a woven SS rock screen / grille guard similar to the aftermarket guards, but on the inside of the shell instead. If I can, I'd like to mount it on vertical tubes mounted on the frame ahead of the radiator (instead of the inside of the shell itself) and support it with some small springs - like a shaker screen used on dirt cars - so it can jiggle up and down a little while going down the road. That little bit of vibration should will help knock off any small animal corpses, mud clods, ex-girlfriends or dead insects. Gary
The Jalopy Journal
