First post: Looking for 1951 chrome grille
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Joined: Dec 2009
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First post: Looking for 1951 chrome grille
Been searching for some time now and cannot find a 1951-1952 chrome grille. Does anyone make a reproduction grille for the 1951-1952 F1? I want to add two additional teeth to the grille and have found some good used grilles for $150 or less. If reproduction chrome grilles are not available how much does it cost to chrome plate the painted grilles?
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
First, welcome to the group. Glad to have you hanging around.
Nobody repops the '51/'52 grilles that I've heard of. You're right that a good used one will sell in the $100+ range. Chroming costs very widely to my understanding depending on the quality of the chroming. A buddy of mine just had his '57 grille chromed and spent over a grand to have it done right. Stu
Nobody repops the '51/'52 grilles that I've heard of. You're right that a good used one will sell in the $100+ range. Chroming costs very widely to my understanding depending on the quality of the chroming. A buddy of mine just had his '57 grille chromed and spent over a grand to have it done right. Stu
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
That's interesting that the guy in the picture above cut the bottoms off those two additional bullets.
When adding those, try not to cut holes in your lower valance for the extra bullets but rather shave the bottoms of the bullets to fit. The extra bullets are easy to attach - just be sure when you buy extra ones that they are for the correct sides - holes that fit around the cross piece are different shapes inside and outside.
I welded the mounting bolts for the grille into the headlight buckets and have the grills held on behind the windbreaks with wing nuts. I have a common electrical plug and can unplug, unscrew, drop and remount the stock 3 bullet or my 7 bullet grill in about 5 minutes.
Here's a picture of my 5 bullet grille installed.
OBTW no one repros the grills at all, let alone chrome. It will cost you about $500-750 (depending on the plating shop and the quality) to have that (5 bullet) grille chromed - SoCal prices.
When adding those, try not to cut holes in your lower valance for the extra bullets but rather shave the bottoms of the bullets to fit. The extra bullets are easy to attach - just be sure when you buy extra ones that they are for the correct sides - holes that fit around the cross piece are different shapes inside and outside.
I welded the mounting bolts for the grille into the headlight buckets and have the grills held on behind the windbreaks with wing nuts. I have a common electrical plug and can unplug, unscrew, drop and remount the stock 3 bullet or my 7 bullet grill in about 5 minutes.
Here's a picture of my 5 bullet grille installed.
OBTW no one repros the grills at all, let alone chrome. It will cost you about $500-750 (depending on the plating shop and the quality) to have that (5 bullet) grille chromed - SoCal prices.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,997
Likes: 9,886
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Thats an interesting look. I've seen plenty of them like Jules who have added extra teeth, some that have broken all the teeth out, but thats the first one that I've seen where the extra teeth added where rounded off. Thats pretty cool
Bobby
Bobby
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Is it me or did Bobby just say something nice about a 51/52 Grille!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mountaintop, Pa
thought that myself
bob
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,997
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
....did I say that outloud??
.............what was I thinking??
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Northshore, MN
REPENT!!!! REPENT!!!!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
It'll be hard to find separate teeth by themselves. You'll have to buy the entire grille. The right and the left side teeth are slightly curved on the inside to follow the contour of the curved grille bar. When you do add the additional two teeth to your grille make sure that you add them to the same side as you took them off from, i.e. left tooth between the left and the center tooth on your existing grille and the right tooth between the right and the center grille. You may need to grind the curvature on the inside slightly for a snug fit.
As already stated, no one reproduces the grilles. You'll need perfect and straight grille and teeth for rechroming. Can't rechrome over bondo or other fillers.
Good luck in your search.
As already stated, no one reproduces the grilles. You'll need perfect and straight grille and teeth for rechroming. Can't rechrome over bondo or other fillers.
Good luck in your search.