I recently saw an old photo of a '50s-era full-fendered '32 Ford hot rod with what appeared to be a nickel-plated grille shell. If I remember correctly it was in Street Rodder Magazine, about six months or so ago. Does anyone know of any other examples of chrome- or nickel-plated Deuce shells, from that time or later?
Here is a thread I started about Chrome finished deuce shells. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293400 I guess that at the end of '32 and early '33 dealers started chroming the grill shells to lend themselves to look more like the new '33's. That was a dealer option.
I actually like the look on specific cars. Sure it's not something that I would just throw on any car but if the rest of the car is simple and perhaps you are running a hood and fenders, the Chrome Deuce shell looks cool.
you would think there would have been more of them chromed back in the day. chrome is good right? strange that what looks normal on just about every other car from the era looks odd on the 32
I'm thinking nickel, so it's not too bright, and a stretched, prodigiously louvred hood. It suggests not only Duesenberg but early Bentley as well.
Here is one on a recent build that was in the classifieds. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345721 I like the look!
I actually really like this look! There's a few photos in Don Montgomery's books with chrome '32 grilles in the 40's. I'll post one later when I get a chance too. Cheers, cab
There's a 1953 R&C cover car, and Ford of England actually did it for a while, on the 1932 type Fords manufactured there into 1934 with light restyling. Model 14 i think these were called, and the last ones had chrome shells.
I for one really like the idea of a chrome Deuce grille shell. Maybe a touch of the shock value about it?I reckon it would look bloody marvellous on a '60's style show Rod! Nick.
Chromed Deuce Shell and some Chrome Steelies? 60'shotrod has something cool brewing. I pullin' for you man on that raffle!!
Not sure if I like it or not. To the average joe it would look like it was done from the factory. Man, its gotta take a mint to get one of those bad boys chromed!
Jeffery, STOP IT will you, your puttin' ideas in me head and they then leak out as there ain't much room left!!!!! Nick.
That actually looks pretty cool. I didn't think I'd like a chromed Deuce grille, but I actually like it. Especially on Richcraft Mikes posted earlier.
If you can call a Rolls-Royce radiator classical, with its resemblance to an ancient Greek temple, I suppose you'd call the Deuce shell Tudor or perpendicular, i.e. late-Gothic. Just like there have been "classical" radiators other than RR, there have been other "Gothic" ones. I checked some of my sources last night for plated or polished radiator shells that might fit into this category. Some have more surround and some have more grille; some are more rounded and some are more squarish; some are deeply vee'd and some are almost flat; but: Alvis (TA14-TC21) Armstrong-Siddeley Ballot Bentley (esp. six-cylinder) Chiribiri Cord (L-29) Duesenberg (J/SJ) H.E. Imperia-Abadal Jaguar/SS Lagonda Lincoln ('32-'33 K) Marendaz Special Ruxton Th. Schneider Spijker Sunbeam Voisin Of those, the 2-litre Lagonda and the Imperia-Abadal, both from the late '20s, really look a lot like chromed Deuce shells. I haven't listed elaborations on the theme, like Crossley and Lorraine-Dietrich. None of these have the Deuce's delicate concave curve at the top of the insert, so in a sense it would be a pity to lose the stock insert shape, but it opens up a lot of possibilities. How about a mesh stone guard? Personally I think the one you usually see on the SS100 is garish, a sort of post-vintage version of a tuner body-kit; but a finer, black mesh might fit the bill.
I guess I am gonna be the odd man out.there is nothing really wrong with the look but I wouldn't chrome a 32 shell,,to me it gives the car more of a Model A look much like using a deuce shell on a 30/31 gives it the deuce look. To each their own,,HRP
Never saw a plated one that I didn't think a painted one would look better. After swearing I would never use this word in a post I'm going to say a chromed '32 shell looks GAY. There I said it, hope I don't have to use it again. Frank
This one looks way rad I think. It's because the rest of the car is not screaming at you so the grille can give just enough pop....in my opinion.
The right car and style can get away with it Toying with the idea myself again, $800.00 bucks to plate, money is tight so I think a painted 32 shell for now is gonna be comming
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