So I gave up on finding a nice 52 grill for my car. There are 2 re chromed ones on EBay right now, for just under two grand. Not in my budget... so I’m taking mine off and storing it for a “someday” re chrome and building a custom grill instead. I’m taking two 52 Buick grills I picked up on Saturday and turning them into one for an insert. So far it’s turning out exactly how I want it. I’m also really happy about bringing the stainless into the mix for the front end. I build the car from nothing and chopped my own top, so I’m hoping I can handle a grill. Lol Hopefully...
I see what you're after, there. My two cents (not that you asked for it) would be to install it with the bottom ahead of the top --- so the bottom of the teeth fall flush with the parking lights. The tops of the teeth look good where they are in your inspiration pic. Of course, I hope your teeth are a little better aligned!
Awesome. If I close my good eye, I think I saw a Merc. Not to offend anyone. Sent from my SM-J327W using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Hate to say it but the black satin 53 Chevy grille looks awfully nice in your Chevy .Buick grille insert is equally interesting though.
You're selling yourself short saying it's a poor man's Merc... Your car looks awesome. The chop is very nice. This grille you're working on should be really cool.
A friend of mine owns the second one of these Chevy's ...two cars were originally built pretty much all the same except engine and trans , the second one has a 265 V-8 /4spd. They both have the same grill and tail light modifications This is from a Custom Car's 1955 Annual magazine... Sent from my QTASUN1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It is ......in the article there it say's 51 Buick teeth.....25 of them......my friends car ,the second one and only remaining one, had a tooth missing when he got the car and right now it's running a tooth from a 52 Buick till he finds a 51 tooth to replace it.. Sent from my QTASUN1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Here is another one... I’m starting to wonder if these are crooked or it’s the angle of the picture. Two different cars and both look off.
It's because the bottom of the teeth are pulled in to far the bottoms need to be kicked outwards some more looks like they put the bottom of the tooth straight down from where the top of the tooth starts and that makes the top part bump out ward then the bottom part curves inwards ...it should just come out make the bend then slope outward to the bottom.... Sent from my QTASUN1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
All mocked up... just a little tweaking left. I still have to figure out the hood latch handle... needs to be moved. But really happy with how it’s turning out.
That looks a lot better than the previous ones posted by far !!! Great job. To be honest, the only one really straight ^^^ up there, is the magazine car. The others not so much. You've changed my opinion, for sure. Looks good !
Looks good.....you got it right.....try a inside cable release...my brother has a 54 with 53 front clip and it has a inside cable release like the newer cars....he said he doesn't know what it's from...it looks like they just cut off the original handle and built a tab that holds the cable then drilled a hole in the part of the handle that was left behind run the cable through the hole with a cable clamp on the back side to hold it then it's got a spring going from that to a anchor spot and it works pretty good ... actually my 50 Stud Champion has a inside hood release that is original equipment....it's got a nice chrome T-handle under the dash that opens it when pulled.... Sent from my QTASUN1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I'm going to do a inside release on my 50 Bel-Air HT. It's in the process of getting a new grill opening that will be full of 54 grill teeth and tunneled headlights ...and 56 Vette tail lights... I am trying to get as close as I can to the one my dad had when him and my mother first met.....the pictures are my car when I first got it and the other is my dad's car.....his also had a built up 235 with the Corvette three carb intake ... I have a Vette intake but I haven't got the carbs for it yet....... Sent from my QTASUN1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
A few before and after... Finished the latch and installed the turn signals. Everything is good and tight and really liking the new look of the Buick teeth. Glad I gave it a try... the whole thing cost me well under 500 bucks. Which is quarter the price of a re chrome. Plus the waiting period is no fun for chrome either.
You might consider using the '51 turn signals, the inner half is slotted like your grill, it would tie them in nicely Zzz by brokedownbiker posted Jan 27, 2019 at 5:08 PM