Update on the headlight conversion. Got my lights all wired up after making some backing plates for the buckets and notching the oddball buckets I had for the passenger side so the lights were turned the right direction. I really like how it looks and it wouldn't take anything to switch back to the way it was. I'm just about finished making the other trim plate. I think it will look even better when they are on.
Love the new look, the light look to be floating in the opening. The Imperial of the era had that look, like a factory custom.
I agree! Congratulations by the way on how great your truck turned out and the awards it won. It was definitely very well deserved for the level of craftsmanship you put in to it and it was really something to watch it all come together. I like how the lighter colored bezels have that effect too. I also like the nose of that Imperial. My favorite cars always have been the quad headlight Mopars of the late 50's/early 60's so I don't know why it took me so long to listen to y'all and switch mine over! I like having both options too. I'm definitely going to keep all the original parts because they are very hard to find.
Just found this thread and read all 15 pages. Great mopar! While I dig the stock style ribbed bezels for the quads, I wonder if you could try another 'custom' set. The 3 grille bars align well with the bezels. Could that carry into the bezel area without looking too goofy? Quick, ugly paint attempt on right side.
I hadn't even thought about the different designs that would work for those trim plates. It would be fun to mess around with some different templates and designs. I could definitely see them flowing out with the grille like that.
Got the trim pieces painted and on the truck. Most of the time when I paint something finned like this I usually use a small brush and some 1 Shot but I decided to try something I had read about a while ago where you use grease on the part you don't want painted and spray the whole thing. I used some Hi Spot blue with a roller and was very happy with the results. The paint on top peeled away without much effort at all.
Looks great! I've been using the grease method for painting intakes and exhaust manifolds, you just smear on the gasket surface before painting, and then once the paint is set you can just wipe off with a clean rag.
What a great truck! I was hooked when I first saw it, and went back and read your thread from page 1. That Hemi install is just gorgeous. I’ve put a 330 Desoto in my 41, a la Bandit Billy. We get to Franklin and Smyrna pretty regularly, so I’ll keep my eyes open for you. Bill
Thanks Devin, I really like how it all works together too. I will definitely keep it in mind for future projects because I really like how it worked and look forward to using it on the next manifolds I do like @caprockfabshop suggested. For sure beats using a bunch of tape! Thank you! I'm always riding around old downtown Franklin and work very close to there so if you see me around give me a holler!
The Jalopy Journal
