54 Ford Grille
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,364
Likes: 5,377
From: Central PA
I knew somebody was going to bust on us '54 guys when I first saw this thread! The '54 grille do look big (like the aforementioned big nosed gal) on some trucks but I do think it is the choice of color schemes guys use. The monocolor idea does not look good on '54's. If painted the correct "sungate ivory" the the grilles look good. I try to spin it this way: the '54 grille is 2 dimensional. It has 2 things that stick out (like some girls I knew when I was a lad). It can be seen from the side view. The '56 has a bit of depth and sticks out a little bit but not like the '54!
Keep it and paint it Sungate Ivory along with the parking lights!
Keep it and paint it Sungate Ivory along with the parking lights!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by ferguson777
I'm pretty certain that no one wants my views on this subject, so I won't say a word.....I promise.
Come on...say it! Ya know you wanna...
Vern
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Deridder, LA
Here is what they had to say,
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Superior Chrome Plating Inc. (www.JustChromeIt.com)
Following is the quote you requested. THE 54 FORD GRILL IS $ 300.00 PLUS A $75.00 CORE CHARGE, ILL CHECK OUR INVENTORY TO SEE IF WE HAVE ONE, & GET BACK WITH YOU..Now that is what I am talking about gentlemen
James
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Superior Chrome Plating Inc. (www.JustChromeIt.com)
Following is the quote you requested. THE 54 FORD GRILL IS $ 300.00 PLUS A $75.00 CORE CHARGE, ILL CHECK OUR INVENTORY TO SEE IF WE HAVE ONE, & GET BACK WITH YOU..Now that is what I am talking about gentlemen
James
Originally Posted by fatfords
James,
I know that El Paso is a fair piece from Houston, but if you have any connections or want to ship, there is a place called Superior Chrome Plating that comes to the DFW swap meets. They came highly recommended by several street rodder friends.
My grille (56) was damaged a 3 years ago and they fixed the dents (severely damaged, no rust), plated and polished with a lifetime warrranty for $300. Yours may be more or less, since it has to be seperated into 3 pieces.
www.justchromeit.com
Phone number is 1-800-283-8706.
BTW-I like the 54 grille-if you don't use it, I have a future '55 project I would put it in!
Good Luck!
I know that El Paso is a fair piece from Houston, but if you have any connections or want to ship, there is a place called Superior Chrome Plating that comes to the DFW swap meets. They came highly recommended by several street rodder friends.
My grille (56) was damaged a 3 years ago and they fixed the dents (severely damaged, no rust), plated and polished with a lifetime warrranty for $300. Yours may be more or less, since it has to be seperated into 3 pieces.
www.justchromeit.com
Phone number is 1-800-283-8706.
BTW-I like the 54 grille-if you don't use it, I have a future '55 project I would put it in!
Good Luck!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by SteV8e
I was thinking of putting a 54 grille on my 56. I don't think that has been done before. How often does one get the opportunity to do something that has never been done before?
I applaud your ingenuity but why make such a nice looking truck such an ugly truck?
If no one has done it before...maybe there's a reason. Think about it.
Vern
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Deridder, LA
Don't do it man.....when you go to shows or local cruises and tell them the truck you have....a purist will bust you out and ask you why the grille is not the right one....i have seen it and that was not a pretty sight.... 
Thats why I have the right grille and all the pieces I need to make it look original but its not...Check out my gallery and you can tell by my valance what grille suppose to be there...BIG eye opener....plus why have the wrong grille....the 56 is the most popular and the only one remanufactured so far....so when you have something more rare...it shows the character of your vehicle and the ambition you have put into it....MO.....
James
Thats why I have the right grille and all the pieces I need to make it look original but its not...Check out my gallery and you can tell by my valance what grille suppose to be there...BIG eye opener....plus why have the wrong grille....the 56 is the most popular and the only one remanufactured so far....so when you have something more rare...it shows the character of your vehicle and the ambition you have put into it....MO.....
James
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
well i know im a newby but, I lke the 54 also since I owne one and id like to keep mine as orignal as possible but still have that hot rod look, and I think Abe is right about using contrastin colors for he grilles on a 54, just my oppinion.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 815
Likes: 29
From: Richland, WA.
I know my 2cents aren't much but I also have a 54 and I found a grill online. This guy had a painted one for about $250. if I remember correct. E-mail me if you want more info. I bought the chrome one .Paid $450. He says he has the correct vallance but it's not. My 54 had a chrome 56 grill and painted valance. Before anyone asks dont. I'm going to hang the 56 grille in my garage and mount stereo speakers in it. For al the non54 lover we should all glory in the origianalaty of all the years, the flowing curves make the trucks look so good. Wasn't the 52 grille simular to the 54 grille, Nobody dogs those trucks or grilles. Sorry guys I get touchy when it comes to my truck. I still can't figure how to get my gallery up. Kurt Y-blocks rule!
New User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
54' F-100 Grille
Hi, Have you tried finding parts thru "LMC" Ford P/U parts catalog? I'm working on fixing up my 54 and I'm waiting for my catalog to show up in the mail. I seems to be taking forever. But patiance is a fertue right?
Good Luck Dave
Good Luck Dave
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,361
Likes: 1,723
From: AKRON ohio
I am not a fan of the 54 grill. It reminds me of the pretty girl with the big nose. "If she would just get a nose job, she would be a knockout!" If you are going for an original restore with correct period options, then I say stick with the 54 painted grill. But since you are saying you want to chrome it, I believe you are looking to do something of a modified version. IMHO chroming it would be like that big-nosed girl wearing a coating of thick sunscrean on her nose at the beach. HA HA Just kidding. I am sure it will look great which ever way you end up going with it. Good luck, John 
I am sure it will look great which ever way you end up going with it. Good luck, John Even pretty girls with big noses need lovin! (in the dark that is) Have you ever noticed how guys take pics of their truck backed in the garage and the guys with 54's usually take the pics with the truck pulled in!
Just kidding ! Different is way cool! I would use a 54 in a 54.
Jag
