BODY, Another Home Made Grill Shell Project

[NealinCA]

After bobbleed posted the Custom Grill Shell TECH.... H-BOMB get's a FACE!! (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=59095&page=&vi ew=&sb=5&o=&vc=1) post, I got to thinking.

I have had an extra 50's GMC grille surround hanging on my shop wall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/GMCGrilleSurround.jpg

I have often thought that I could use it to make a custom grille shell. I have had a 32 shell hanging on my wall also, but now it is finally going to get used on my RPU project, so I figured I needed something to fill it's spot.

I also needed to brush up on my metal working skills (or lack of) for my rpu project, so about a month ago I decided to give it a try.

Here is what I came up with.

First step was to cut the center out...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/GrilleFirstCut.jpg

...then I mated up the two outer portions and welded them together.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/GrilleFirstWeld.jpg

I decided that the newly formed grill shell didn't have enough "meat" to it, so I used a piece of 1/4" round to from a new back perimeter. I then hammered some 20 ga sheetmetal to fill in the area. I don't have a shot bag, so I stacked a couple leather welding gloves on the floor, got my ball peen hammer and starting hammering. I roughed the panels out and then got them close enough with a hammer and dolly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/GrilleNewTop.jpg

The shell was now starting to look like something. With the addition of a piece of 1/2" EMT to the bottom it almost looked like a 32 shell.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/GrillNewandOld.jpg

I then need to add the lower pan. I cut out some wooden bucks to form the pan in two halves. I then clamped them in and fired up the old Oxy/Acetylene.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/GrillPan.jpg

After I got it all tacked together, it really was starting to take shape.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/32shell7.jpg

After I got it all welded up, I cut in the crank hole and drain holes. I then spread on a little filler, spayed on some primer and finished it off with some metallic copper. The coler looks better in person, but I think it came out pretty well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/GrillPainted.jpg

I was going to make a stock type grille insert, but that seemed like way too much work for a wall hanging, so I decided on a piece of sheetmetal, ala race car, painted a creamy white.
Here is a crappy picture of the almost finished product.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/NealinCA/StripingLHS.jpg

Now I just need somebody to lay some cool striping on it and I will call it done.

Neal

[raaf]

that is the coolest fucking thing ever.

[Smokin Joe]

I think the price of 50 GMC grill surrounds just went way up on E-Pay. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
If you hadn't let the cat out of the bag here you probably could have gotten $1500 to 2 grand for that. Nice work http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ya think this guy would notice if his came up missing? How do you look at something like that and think, Hey that's a fat 32 shell? It minds the boggles!
http://photo.starblvd.net/~SmokinJoe/3-2-4.jpg

[justinm]

that is so awsome!

you make me feel stupid cause i've not thought of doing the same thing.

good show holmes.

[MBL]

Dude thats amazing. I just need some patch panels....done...can you come over and help? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Tim
MBL

[G V Gordon]

The ingenuity on this board never ceases to amaze me. On a car, at a show, 9 of 10 would walk right by and think it was gennie FOMOCO. Outstanding!

[Ichoptop]

that is one nice piece of work.

[tommy]

I'd say your metal working skills are honed to the Nth degree. Keep up this shit and your name will be added to the best fabicators list! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[cleatus]

Oh you clever boy! That's a damn good looking shell there - can't believe how close it resembles a 32 shell. Maybe even better since it has more a pronounced peak.

Will have to keep an eye out for one of those GMC surrounds at the swaps from now on (the wife wants me to build her a roadster).

[Harrison]

This is one of those "Holy shit that is amazing" posts while being simple enough that most folks could probably get close to the same results.

Awesome work and ingenuity.

Tech-O-Matic please !!!

-JH

[Django]

Wall hanging? Geez, I can't wait til you do some "real" work on the car! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Very nice. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[cleatus]

I'd say this one belongs in Tech-O-Matic for sure.

HOW TO WE GO ABOUT TRANSFERING THESE KIND OF THINGS OVER THERE?

[BARNETT]

That is some beautiful work! I think it looks BETTER than factory!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[The Fidgiter]

I second that HARRISON! That is so fucking awesome! You could probably be set for life by making those and selling them to people who think they're deuce shells. Damn thats cool...

WOW......put it on the RPU,it looks better than the original
Clark

[Skate Fink]

THAT'S SICK!! (in a good way!!!)

[**DONOTDELETE**]

That is cool as hell! Nice to know theres folks out there with talent like that making hot rods! Too many people just buying them anymore! The folks here amaze me! Keep it up!

[continentaljohn]

WOW, take a chevy grill and make it a deuce grill. F#@&ing cool. Now every time I look at a grill, I'll be thinking how to make it a deuce.. Super cool and a must for the tech section!!
thanks continentaljohn

[DrJ]

Where's that thread on best custom fabricator?
I think we have another name to add to that list!

[NealinCA]

Thanks for the nice comments, but I am really just a hack. Bondo and primer are my friends. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

A couple of people have told me to use it on the RPU. One friend said then I could tell people "I am puttting a 51 GMC grill on a 32 Ford...you should see it http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif"

It will be a wall hanger though, I have a nice original 32 insert that doesn't quite fit in the homemade shell, so I am going to use the original.

Any of you artist/striper types out there have some ideas for the insert? I like Tommy the Greek style striping, but any suggestions would be great.

Neal

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I almost cant blame you for hanging it on a wall. Thats art, pure and simple! But it would be cool to have it on a car too! My hats off to you!

[FONZI]

SWEET!

FONZI

[Smokin Joe]

Talk to Johnny Ace. He's been wanting to do Alfred E Newman on one for me but I'm still bucks down. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
http://photo.starblvd.net/~SmokinJoe/6-2-5.jpg

[just steve]

Holy Shit that's cool. Soon as I saw the first pic I knew where it was going, but had no idea it would be so slick.

That's a gift you got there man -- to look at a GMC grille surround and see the makings of a deuce shell? Yeah.

later,
Steve.

[bluegrassboogie]

my mouth is hanging wide open.how did you see that in the gmc grille?thats the coolest.or ginchiest or whatever .

[Stu]

WOW--too cool

[OGNC]

WOW, Neal, you have really pulled a rabbit out of the hat with that one. Pure magic!

[Bruce Lancaster]

I am awed. That is as amazingly perfect a use of shape as Picasso's sculpture of a babboon made from toy cars--and it's a lot more useful. Sow's ear...silk purse...and we got too see the evolution.

[Nads]

Dammitt, way to make a guy feel stupid.
Who would've thunk?
I'm simply blown away by your skill and ingenuity.

[Bruce Lancaster]

Picasso sees, Picasso welds--

http://freespace.virgin.net/peter.forbes2/cafe.htm

[Taildraggin]

Great work.
Now I wonder if Daisy would notice if I
stole her grill and put in on my roadster http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Rocky]

Neal for president! Who-da-thought a lowly GMC truck grille could morph into a sleek deuce grille shell?

[krupanut]

speachless.

[Detonator]

I swear Neal, you are a MAGICIAN. That's awesome work.

[InPrimer]

the BEST post I've ever seen GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Killer]

I agree with Raaf.

Nice job Neal.

[Steve]

fuckin a that kicks ass

[Dragrace66]

Awesome, great idea.

[ShortBus]

That's damn nice work Neal. That extra peak you gave it makes it more cooler than the deuce shell.

[Eyeball]

Well it has all been said in the prior posts but that deserves one hell of an ataboy. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[$pomadepete$]

this is exactly why i love the hamb!

[Tim]

wow...

[SlowLearner]

You're too modest. Imagination and craft = ART!!

[Paul]

wow!

[injectedA]

You've been busy. Damn good thing. This rates with the bleed shell and cleatus. Very nice.

So you gonna do wall hangers as gifts? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[HAAS]

That is amazing man!

[Sam F.]

awesome work and creativity!!! my hat's off to you! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[ratster]

what they all said, nice work!

[Drewfus]

Top stuff, who would have thought.....

Now a challenge, make the rest of the pickup look like a 3 window 32..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Again, kick butt stuff

Cheers,
Drewfus

[Boones]

that is some great imagination... I am always amazed at some peoples ability to see something from nothing... Even in its thin/skinny stage it would look cool especially if you are building a hi-tech full hooded ride (ala 33/34 grill styling).... nice work

[bobbleed]

Damb that RULES!

[Tim]

man if this doesnt belong in the tech-o-matic i dont know what does

[Dat Dirty Rat]

Brush up on your metal working skills...your breaking our balls..Great post Holmes...Nice job!!...That just flat out rocks...Theres alot of raw talent around here....Dirty

[sedan_dad]

Neal,Your third eye is working very well.

[deuceguy]

Yea like everyone else, WOW! Very imagintive!

[plan9]

[ QUOTE ]
Theres alot of raw talent around here....Dirty

[/ QUOTE ]

damn, no shit.... the ultimate motivator!!! thanks for sharing that!

[hammeredabone]

Damn Neal, that is one fine piece of work!

[zibo]

It looks like GMC took a '32 grille shell,
cut it in half,
added a foot in the center,
and cut the bottom off
to make there pickup grille!!

(not to digress too much but...)
alot of early kayak (little boats)
designs were actually competitors models
cut, sectioned, filled and relabeled.

I wouldn't doubt the same for early car designs.

TP

oh yeah great work!!

[flt-blk]

That's pretty nice. I guess I need to pay a little more attention to the junk piles at the swap meet.
TZ

[MoFoMOD]

goddam nice metal work... WOW!

[Chuck Fish]

WOW! I'm havin a Hot Flash... That is perfection in the flesh...uh...er, metal.

Absolutely Awsome Work! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[k-member]

A true visionary.

[Skate Fink]

[ QUOTE ]
That's pretty nice. I guess I need to pay a little more attention to the junk piles at the swap meet.
TZ

[/ QUOTE ]

TZ, I don't think is has as much to do with what he started with and it does his talent. Looks like you CAN make a "silk purse out of a sow's ear...." http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[36couper]

Wall hanging? No friggin way! Build a new rod around the grille. Use your refined metal working skills to turn a Ford Fiesta into a rockin' roadster. No one will ever know........

[kustombuilder]

now THAT is the shit!! too cool for words, nice job!!!


Mike Brimm

[av8]

I'm impressed!

[AnimalAin]

A-fucking-mazing. Dazzled doesn't begin to describe it. Super work.

[MarkX]

"WE'RE NOT WORTHY! WE'RE NOT WORTHY!"
Freakin awsome dude!!!!!!!!

[FWilliams]

ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!!


RACEFAB

[dondanno]

Looks damm good.....

[max wedge]

Damn I wish mine was done! Haha, just kidding.
Thats looking real good!
H-bomb (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=59095&page=&vi ew=&sb=5&o=&vc=1)

[Landmule]

That's cool! I'm on my way to the garage now - you've inspired me!!!

[chromedRAT]

"nice 32 ford grille shell. how much did ya have to pay for it?"

if i hadn't read it on here, i'd be one of those 9 out of 10 i'm sad to say...

[onelow48]

You are totaly out of control, your a animal. That is
the hole reson I stay up till the we hours of the night.
Great job!

[Crease]

Absolutely amazing! I woudn't have looked at a GMC grill and thought it would ever look like that. BEautiful work. Thanks for keepin me humble.

[robber grin]

awesome metal work!

[klazurfer]

Your work impresses me BIG TIME , but the fact that you saw what that GMC-part could become TOTALY blows me Way-A-Way:)
MOST Excellent !!!

[NealinCA]

Wow! I can't believe the response to this, I am kind of embarassed. You people are giving me way too much credit. There is some REAL metalworking talent on this board, like Cole, Rogue, Lukester, Cleatus, etc...and I would like to think that posts like this would get some other "average Joes" to get out in the garage and see what they can do with some sheet metal, a hammer, and a welder. I know I have been inspired by the power of the HAMB!

I added a better "finished" photo to the original post and then I thought I would add this comparison photo.

http://photo.starblvd.net/~NealinCA/6-2-5.jpg

I thought it was kind of interesting. Now it just needs some striping.

Neal

Oh, and my wife pointed out that I need to proof read things better, so sorry about all of the misspelled words in the original post. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[SlowLearner]

Sounds like a voyage of self-discovery to me Neal.
The HAMB has spoken...you ARE an artist. (The last pic just hammers it home)
And...yeah...could polish up the proof-reading. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I would gladly offer up my left teste if I could spell like you!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[SamIyam]

That's beautiful Neal!
I think I would put the original shell back up on the wall... and THAT one on your Roadster!
Sam.

[james]

I agree-- put the gennie on the wall. It's one thing to be able to say it's a real steal shell (not glass repro) but a whole nother to say you made it from an old gmc grille shell!!! (you better keep those build up pics in the car, 'cause Noone's gonna beleive you!)

[Tony]

Absolutely top shelf!!!
I would be more than happy to use that thing on my 5 window!
In fact, ya got me thinking about finding an old gmc grill.
Very, very nice work.Something to be real proud of, and yeah, hang the gennie up man, not every one can say they MADE their own shell!

Rat.

[Alfster]

Way too... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[roadstar]

Damn bro 6 pages of ataboys has got to make ya feel good.

And you deserve it. And I too feel you should put that on the rpu and proudly say you built it.

Furthermore after building that a insert will be a piece of cake. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Hackerbilt]

Nice!

The fact that your not a Cole Foster is what makes it great!
We all learn from guys like Cole... you just proved that the learning isn't too hard to apply in the real world of backyard garages and 110 welders!!!
OK...so your not a whiz...
Your just an extremely gifted smuck with a killer imagination, an eye for forming shapes and the zeal to pull it off once you decide to tackle something!
Feel better? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Nice job bud.

Bill

[LUKESTER]

Thats the kind of stuff I come on here for....Great Job..... especially from one of us GARAGE BOYs.......... LUKESTER

[brewsir]

hey Neal, I live in Benicia.....I know I met ya at Turlock but not sure how close ya live to me....anyway ...if you want it stripedbring it over and I'll go off on it!

[candyman]

Speechless! Dood.... thanks for making me realize why I used to love the hamb so much!

[Farmer]

fuckin awesome. I'm inspired more now than when my drill sergeant in boot camp was yelling at me. Thats rad, i'm gonna go get an old chevy grill now. good post, good work,
you got skills bro.
John

[NoSurf]

Wow. You made it look too damn easy.

[NealinCA]

Brewsir -

Sounds good. I sent you an e-mail with some ideas.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Neal