Technical Shaved 32 Grill Shells

So how common was it in the 50s to shave the radiator cap trim from a 32 shell? Was that more of a show car thing or everyone was doing it? A lot of the cars I see in the mags from the mid to late '50s are shaved.

--louis

 

If you saw it in the mags, it must be true.

 

That is why I am asking. I picked up an original shell and trying to decide what to do to keep it period correct.

--louis

 

If you want it period correct leave it original and don't shave it.HRP

 

Okay thanks.

 

What? I would say shaving the cap and trim was almost standard for hot rods of the late forties, fifties and sixties. Its only when you go back to the earliest days of hot rodding do you see folks leaving the factory cap and trim on. If you've got a really nice unshaved grill I would probably try and trade for a filled one or even sell it and buy a shaved one because unfilled shells seem to get quite a bit more money.
I think unfilled became popular because of the rolling bones guys and alotta early style builds that have come into fashion in the last ten or fifteen years.

 

I think a lot of it came from when they installed an OHV engine and went to a pressurized system making the radiator cap be relocated.

 

Agree. Most early hot rods were filled. All depends on the look you like best though. The real early cars didn't follow a set formula like "traditional " cars do today. Just use parts and techniques available in the golden age of hot rods and you will have a vintage hot rod vibe.

 

You are more than welcome to your opinion,nothing is written in stone.

Personally I prefer the look of a unshaved Deuce shell which I consider period correct,This is a conversation Deuce Roadster and I had many times,He was my best friend and I considered him as one of the most knowledgeable Deuce guys around,I think many here would agree.

Randy was very anal when it came to Deuces and he liked a unshaved shell but always said it wasn't period correct.

The Model A's on Deuce frames saw many Deuce shells that were filled.HRP

 

Sounds like as with most things it was personal preference.

--louis

 

Three finished deuces and 2 in the oven and they will all have unfilled shells. Only real resto is my delivery all the rest are chopped cars and 1 chopped truck but I consider them all Hot Rods.

 

Yes, I think if you have an original unfilled shell, and decide you want a filled one, that you could find ten guys willing to trade. And those filled shells might actually be from an old hot rod done "back in the day".

 

I might do that.

Thanks,

--louis

 

Personal opinion as I have both filled and unfilled shells, I like the unfilled as it looks less ropop or glass looking for the same reason I like exposed hinges versus hidden. Majority of glass bodied cars are smoothed out with no original car touches. Same for firewalls in appearance.

 

Yeah I like my cars to have bumps and warts as well. Why I like early hot rods so much. Primitive unrefined pure hot rod.

--louis

 

I shaved my first one in 1954

 

I totally agree,I have had both in the past and the filled shell reminds me of the thousands of reproduction fiberglass Deuce shells that are flooding the market and currently being used.

I also realize I am in the minority but I prefer bezels,door handles and exposed hinges. HRP

 

Ill join you minority HRP. They just look better with hinges and radiator caps where they are supposed to be. My person preference. as for the radiator caps if you can get a way one in the stock location there is just something awesome about filling your radiator right into the top of a 32 or a polished model A shell..

 

Right...we're looking at it through our modern eyes. I agree that exposed hinges and unfilled tops, cowl vents and grill shells are all indicators that you're driving a steel car but in the 40's, 50's and 60's nobody was worried about the glut of fiberglass bodies flooding the market.
The guy is askin what's period correct to (I assume) an earlier era and the answer is yes, shaved grill shells are correct for a good portion of our hot rodding history. Let's not redefine the term "period correct" because there are many of us here that work very hard to build cars to a specific era that are dead on correct.

 

Hers my chopped and filled shell. Doesn't look like glass to me.... The lead showing helps too.

 

Not all rodders had the skills to weld, shave and do lead work.
Not all could do paint or bodywork.

The old school way is to look at the grill shell and ask you self: Em I a body man, engine man or suspension and frame guy.
If you are a engine guy, find someone to do it. New engine and cooling talks for a new radiator and presure cap.
If you are a suspension guy, don't do it.
If you are a body guy, you can do it faster then I can type this. And I expect you to be done by now!

 

Most of the photo's floating around on the internet showing old hot rode seem to center around dry lakes and salt lake racers where there were very few that aspired to have magazine cars,most were built purely for speed and if the builder though the car was faster without a bezel or hinges and if the top was lower and the car was full of lighting hole or louvers that's the way it was built

So calling that period correct works for you who am I to say your wrong,but thousands of hot rods were built all around the country,I know of a Deuce 3 window that was built in the 40's that still retains all it's warts.

I have a lot of friends that own,build and drive Deuces,they all have different opinions,some have filled shells and door hinges,some have unfilled shells and hidden hinges,

The beauty of building hot rods is there are no hard fast rules,I have seen glass cars that you would swear are steel on the other hand I know of a few steel cars you would swear that they are glass. HRP

 

Post a photo of the shell. HRP

 

Here it is sitting on my '29 frame for my AV8 project. I bought it off a HAMB member after a couple to many beers.



--louis

 

I guess I would ask what era are you trying to build to? Cause era would determine what the more common practice was. JohnnyA

 

Early to mid 50s.

--louis

 

What do you guys think of the So-Cal bullnose instead of completely filling the shell?

 

I like the bull nose myself.

 

I like mine!!!!!!!!!!

 

No thanks.