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Customs Where can I find 53 Desoto grill teeth?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Rand Man, Nov 24, 2022.

  1. Rand Man
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 4,877

    Rand Man
    Member

    I know they are rare as hen’s teeth. Every one manufactured has been smashed or is on a custom Merc somewhere. Looks like reproductions are no longer in production. I could be wrong.

    I think if I could borrow a nice set of eleven, I could have them 3D scanned, then make molds for new parts. My son works for a rapid prototyping company, so this is not a very far-fetched idea. Anybody got a set? They can make an ugly duckling pretty.

    9F059BD3-AD86-46DF-9079-892EE50C958C.jpeg
     
  2. choptop40
    Joined: Dec 23, 2009
    Posts: 5,208

    choptop40
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    gotta have bucket list grille....
     
    Rand Man likes this.
  3. eaglebeak
    Joined: Sep 17, 2007
    Posts: 1,271

    eaglebeak
    Member

  4. Rand Man
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 4,877

    Rand Man
    Member

    Yeah, I saw that site. Good info. I don’t see where he is actually selling reproductions.
     

  5. I believe he closed up,
     
    rockable likes this.
  6. deucemac
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 1,489

    deucemac
    Member

    You might try Turner's Auto wrecking in Fresno California. Jerry has at least one of almost everything American ever made. And, if by some small chance he doesn't have it,usually knows someone who does. Well worth a try.
     
    lothiandon1940 and Rand Man like this.
  7. 327Eric
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,125

    327Eric
    Member

    I have seen bumper guards used to build a similar grille. Of course the source for those is just as hard to find
     
  8. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,071

    wicarnut
    Member

    FYI, acautos.com makes fiberglass 11 piece set $295, also sent you a message
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2022
    5window likes this.
  9. Bearing Burner
    Joined: Mar 2, 2009
    Posts: 1,112

    Bearing Burner
    Member
    from W. MA

    Have you advertised in Hemmings Motor News ?
     
  10. Rand Man
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 4,877

    Rand Man
    Member

    Thanks for the suggestions. I found a set of 7, but I would have to take the whole car. That’s no fun. That fiberglass reproduction set of 11 looks like a good choice.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2022
    wicarnut and lothiandon1940 like this.
  11. mr.chevrolet
    Joined: Jul 19, 2006
    Posts: 8,875

    mr.chevrolet
    Member

    i have this for sale 20180727_121126.jpg 20180727_121135.jpg 20180727_121157.jpg 20180727_121215.jpg 20180728_131101.jpg
     
  12. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,517

    alchemy
    Member

    If you only want one set for yourself, then Mr. Chevy's set is probably the best way to go. You will still have $2000 in chroming, but you will have the real thing.

    If you want to go into production, be aware the initial design and mold making is cheap, but casting, finishing, and chroming the new ones might be more expensive than the originals. If you can make mods so they fit a Merc bumper pan perfectly, then you might have a new niche.
     
  13. 327Eric
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,125

    327Eric
    Member

    The last 3 Desotos I found ended up in a junkyard, stripped of only the grill. Not by me I must add.
     
    5window and Rand Man like this.
  14. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,220

    sunbeam
    Member

  15. egads
    Joined: Aug 23, 2011
    Posts: 1,419

    egads
    Member

  16. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,475

    goldmountain

    Have no idea what car you want them for but if you go for a'54 or '55 Desoto grille instead, the teeth are uniform in size and missing teeth are more easily found. Not the same look however, but still a great looking grille.
     
  17. pauly_z
    Joined: Jul 3, 2006
    Posts: 3

    pauly_z
    Member
    from Tejas

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