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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

54 Ford Grille

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Old Jun 3, 2004 | 08:47 AM
  #1  
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Exclamation 54 Ford Grille

Fellow Forders,

Does anybody know somebody who sells the chrome version of this grille brand new??? Mid-fifty doesn't have it....Bobs F100 don't...Dennis Carpenter doesn't....So-Cal doesn't....F100 Connection is closed now....all these places sell the 56 Grille brand new for about $450 but that's not the year of my truck....HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James
 
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Old Jun 3, 2004 | 10:29 AM
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If you have your grille, why not just send it off to get chromed? Or is it all beat up?
 
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Old Jun 3, 2004 | 11:29 AM
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Even if it is bent up some, the chrome shops can fix it. My bumbers had numerous dents in them and for a small price they straightened them. Good luck, John
 
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Old Jun 3, 2004 | 08:20 PM
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The only grille being reproduced right now is the '56 grille.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 12:40 AM
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Have you tried Bob Drake Reproductions in Grants Pass, OR... do an internet search for him if not.

Also, is So Cal still around? I used to buy parts from them many years ago, then suddenly lost track of them. I think a large Honda Dealership sits on the lot where they once were????
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 07:48 AM
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I've never seen the 54 grille reproduced in chrome or paint. I see grilles come up frequently on ebay; often times they go pretty cheap. I got a nice one for my 52 on ebay for $50, and then a second one for $22. I've got one on my basement wall, with the headlights running off of a computer power supply. When doing an ebay search, be sure to use both spellings "grille" and "grill". They get listed both ways.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by 55FordLover
Fellow Forders,

Does anybody know somebody who sells the chrome version of this grille brand new??? Mid-fifty doesn't have it....Bobs F100 don't...Dennis Carpenter doesn't....So-Cal doesn't....F100 Connection is closed now....all these places sell the 56 Grille brand new for about $450 but that's not the year of my truck....HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James
James,

Do yourself a favor and use the 56 grille instead. It's no coincidence no one makes a reproduction of the ugliest grille Ford ever made for a truck.

Vern
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 09:13 AM
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Wow, was that harsh!

I kind of like the 54 grille. It is ugly in a sort of interesting way. I don't think that Ford hit the low water mark in grille design until the late 70's.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 09:43 AM
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I like the '54 grille myself as well. One of my pet peeves is people who don't use the correct year grille with the correct year truck!! Why would you put a '56 grille on a '54? Keep the '54 grille.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 10:35 AM
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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
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 10:50 AM
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okay okay okay....hurt my feelings and throw my face in the toilet with an ugly girl!!!!! I don't like having a 54 with a 56 grille cause here in TX you will be busted out...I know that the 56 is the most popular grille but why change face when the valance has the slots for it, also the title....I have also seen custom grilles made but I'm not into that...Painting it would be the best thing since chroming it seems to be impossible...still think somebody out there has a chrome one and don't want to let it go in their garage....


James
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 10:54 AM
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Not impossible. Find a good used one or use the one you have. Take it to a good plater and get it stripped, polished, and chromed. I'm guessing $150-200 for the job.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 11:31 AM
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Yeah i see what you are saying....just think I am getting robbed out here in El Paso. TX....crazy prices and long waiting but if you want it right the first time, don't rush it....remember here they want $450 for everything and a new one is that much in the books but the wrong year...

James
 
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 12:58 PM
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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!
 

Last edited by fatfords; Jun 4, 2004 at 01:11 PM.
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Old Jun 4, 2004 | 04:17 PM
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I saw a cool looking 56 the other night at the Vintage cruise. He painted his truck with a black suede finish, but the firewall and the grill were gloss black. It gave the grill enogh contrast without the need for the expensive chrome. good luck, John
 
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