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Post by lo51merc on Aug 1, 2011 10:12:27 GMT -5
Thanks again guys! I stripped the chrome from the bumpers because I need to remove some flash and sharp corners from them which will crud up the chrome there. Anyhow, all the handling of the front started to wear the chrome off on the high spots. Yesterday I hollowed out the backside of the major part of the grille, leaving the grille bars intact. It didn't help out any in the looks of the grille. I tried messing around with the parts pack grill, and it would be possible to use it if I chop it into pieces. Still thinkin'........ Gary
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Post by nobillet on Aug 1, 2011 10:16:10 GMT -5
Now that I look closer at pics of the production DeSoto grille, I see it is not recessed like the Chrysler grille and it also does not have an actual surround shape as its lower edge continue under the headlights to encompass the turn signals. I never thought of using the 57 300 grille which could be made to look quite good with some extra effort. Thanks Froghawk, for the heads up on the Modelhaus correctly recessed grille. I had no idea they offered that. Gotta love this board and the aftermarket ;D Just remembered this DeSoto clay design that never made it to production. Kind of looks like a 59 Pontiac but still shows off the DeSoto fins. John
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Post by froghawk on Aug 1, 2011 12:50:10 GMT -5
Just remembered this DeSoto clay design that never made it to production. Kind of looks like a 59 Pontiac but still shows off the DeSoto fins. Kinda makes the final production grill look like a masterpiece of design doesn't it?
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Post by lo51merc on Aug 2, 2011 14:55:05 GMT -5
I guess I mentioned how much I dislike the stock grille. That clay job is a lot worse. I studied what I had to work with this morning, this being the grille and headlights, and made my mind up to remove them and start with a new set of headlights. The grille shell was a different story and I decided to start a new one from scratch. I laminated three pieces of .060 styrene sheet to make the new grille shell, which will be similar to those in the pictures of the 1:1's above. I'll probably end up with something that looks similar to the dark green one. Before I hacked out the grille I made locators for the bumper which now has no other place to attach it to the body. I also added filler pieces below where the headlights will be, and removed the upper outer stock grille surrounds. The headlights are out of my parts box. Those mags in the earlier picture of this model up on it's tires are something I've had in my stash and are just rollers for now. I have absolutely no idea where they came from originally. I've got a set of Modelhaus tires in the box for this model, but I'm still not 100% sure what wheelcovers I'll be using. Thanks for your interest! Gary
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Post by tjfenske on Aug 2, 2011 15:23:12 GMT -5
You might give some thought to '59 dodge 4 bars. My .02
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Post by lo51merc on Aug 4, 2011 20:26:31 GMT -5
Here's the new grille shell in place but not finished yet. I had to add another .040 to the thickness to put it out in front of the hood. I sure didn't plan on doing this new grille when I started on this model, but it will look a whole lot better when I finish it. (Boy, now there's another of my assumptions....that I'll actually finish it. But I want to, really!) Getting started with the Dremel..... And very close to the final shape. Lots of tedious filing and sanding to go. I love it! It already looks like a Chrysler custom, but what the heck, it's all in the same family. Thanks for looking! Gary
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Post by tjfenske on Aug 4, 2011 21:16:18 GMT -5
O Dremel master, What a grill opening.
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Post by nobillet on Aug 4, 2011 21:31:21 GMT -5
For all the hesitation you had about doing the grille it is coming along just beautifully. Very well proportioned and looks just right. What will you fill it with - tube grille or mesh or bullets/drawer pulls? Any thoughts? Keep posting as you are inspiring me to work on my 60 Chrysler resin (R&R - very scary!!)
John
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Post by RodBurNeR on Aug 4, 2011 22:40:18 GMT -5
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Post by froghawk on Aug 5, 2011 8:07:41 GMT -5
Excellent workmanship and design choice! Looking forward to more!
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Post by Duane on Aug 5, 2011 14:41:09 GMT -5
you're inspiring Gary !!!!!!...beautiful work !!!!!
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Post by nobillet on Aug 5, 2011 15:37:13 GMT -5
Just found this pic that may give you some idea of close up front end area and also how some mild scallops do look on this body. John
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Post by lo51merc on Aug 8, 2011 20:37:08 GMT -5
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Post by RodBurNeR on Aug 8, 2011 20:38:06 GMT -5
man that is SICK!
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Post by tjfenske on Aug 8, 2011 20:52:08 GMT -5
;D Truly Sweet. You nailed it!!
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