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Customs 52 Buick grill for a 52 Chevy

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Driveway builder, Jan 21, 2019.

  1. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
    Member

    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... D91EB037-4400-4395-98E2-7C53BB073142.png 5AA4F5A4-F3CF-4FFA-AE09-D90A9976562B.jpeg EF0D5190-2EBD-4BBF-9DB5-B31874815397.jpeg 9C3A26CD-D4EA-48AE-9EDF-A4F26950EC9C.jpeg 52A7FCB1-2AC0-4A6E-88AE-DF056A7A077B.jpeg
     

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  2. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

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    8AC630DF-CD8A-4084-9113-BED7C988F363.png This thing is awesome and my inspiration.
     
  3. Peanut 1959
    Joined: Oct 11, 2008
    Posts: 2,179

    Peanut 1959
    Member

    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!
     
  4. steves29
    Joined: Jan 19, 2010
    Posts: 194

    steves29
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    Awesome. If I close my good eye, I think I saw a Merc.
    Not to offend anyone.

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  5. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    Not offended... my car is a poor mans Merc. I’m good with it. Haha
     
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  6. philo426
    Joined: Sep 20, 2007
    Posts: 2,097

    philo426
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    Hate to say it but the black satin 53 Chevy grille looks awfully nice in your Chevy .Buick grille insert is equally interesting though.
     
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  7. Peanut 1959
    Joined: Oct 11, 2008
    Posts: 2,179

    Peanut 1959
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    That's a stock (though painted) '52 Chevy grille, not a '53.
     
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  8. Doctor Detroit
    Joined: Aug 12, 2010
    Posts: 1,051

    Doctor Detroit
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    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.
     
  9. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    Thanks... appreciate it.
     
  10. rudestude
    Joined: Mar 23, 2016
    Posts: 3,048

    rudestude
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    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... 1548130916020~2.jpeg

    Sent from my QTASUN1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  11. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    Looks like a 51 Buick grill... the teeth look skinny. Very cool pics!
     
  12. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    458B3FA1-AF02-48E1-8B53-FA4C20B8E45E.jpeg Another one, but they left the middle bar in on this 51.
     
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  13. rudestude
    Joined: Mar 23, 2016
    Posts: 3,048

    rudestude
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    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
     
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  14. Frankie47
    Joined: Dec 20, 2008
    Posts: 1,877

    Frankie47
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    from omaha ne.

    I like it!
    Always wanted to plate one tooth of the grill in brass.....lol.
     
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  15. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    C9C4B39E-EC55-4750-8860-FDE5385C71C1.jpeg 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.
     
  16. rudestude
    Joined: Mar 23, 2016
    Posts: 3,048

    rudestude
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    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....

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  17. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    agreed
     
  18. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    D5C6C6C6-C40C-4240-8DFE-2DA189BEBE66.jpeg ECA9EDC4-3830-4246-AB7C-2B3B4AA21720.jpeg 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.
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  19. 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 !
     
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  20. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,847

    49ratfink
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    from California

  21. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    Thank you sir!
     
  22. rudestude
    Joined: Mar 23, 2016
    Posts: 3,048

    rudestude
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    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
     
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  23. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    Nice, thanks for the ideas. Since I can no longer reach in, that is a good option.
     
  24. rudestude
    Joined: Mar 23, 2016
    Posts: 3,048

    rudestude
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    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....... IMG_20190123_194012_1~2.jpeg IMG_20190123_194047~2.jpeg IMG_20190123_194115_1~2.jpeg IMG_20190123_194353_1~2.jpeg

    Sent from my QTASUN1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  25. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    Very cool!
     
  26. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    A few before and after... 7866F8E6-14C6-40E2-8D68-5B8AD201B42C.png D9EED441-8CAD-4943-9D4B-6B8B7A6BC7F8.png 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. DF22F499-1737-4F7D-9FB3-643514CB4103.jpeg F6C0F841-4525-4C7E-ACBF-8FD011A7A514.png
     
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  27. brokedownbiker
    Joined: Jun 7, 2016
    Posts: 652

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  28. Driveway builder
    Joined: Jan 17, 2013
    Posts: 588

    Driveway builder
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    Yeah, I actually have my eye out for a set. Those would look perfect with the grill.
     

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