Switching stock grilles for NASCAR grilles!

['81 Grand Prix LJ]

Hey guys!!! I just had an unusual and pretty ultimate flash for my GP, since there's no damn new grille anywhere and all i can find in junkyards is already unrestorable. Does anyone knows if it is any possible to find a VINTAGE set of STOCK CAR grilles or if there's any company that can custom-make some???? Here's what i want:

Anyone knows how the lower ones are made?? Sounds like a dual-opening piece of sheet metal bolted on the bumper...

Oh and since we're there, anyone knows where to find Petty rims???

 

['81 Grand Prix LJ]

Anyone has an idea??

 

[pontiacgp]

for the grills I've been looking but there is none out there. I'll be making my own soon as I figure out what I want to do. For the rims check out Bassett

 

[beermonkey9417]

the grill looks like they cut the middle out and then rivited some metal screen, like on old screen doors. looks kinda kewl.

 

['81 Grand Prix LJ]

Anyone else would have an idea?? Is there any company that would custom-build a set???

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

why not make them yourself? its not like cutting out the guts with a dremel is that hard and finding a good stainless steel mesh to rivet behind the outer part of the grille shouldnt be too hard either. at worst you'd have to buy another grille and try again, big deal. im sure you can find cracked or broken grilles to practice on and im pretty sure you can get them for nothing if you ask nicely at the local boneyard.

 

['81 Grand Prix LJ]

why not make them yourself? its not like cutting out the guts with a dremel is that hard and finding a good stainless steel mesh to rivet behind the outer part of the grille shouldnt be too hard either. at worst you'd have to buy another grille and try again, big deal. im sure you can find cracked or broken grilles to practice on and im pretty sure you can get them for nothing if you ask nicely at the local boneyard.

Honnestly, i'm not too good in custom building, and since i want a PERFECT replica, i'd leave it in the hands of some specialists, or as i also mention, picking up some vintage pieces if i can ever find any!!! I could practice on my current grille, as it's badly cracked , but i'll keep it to maintain the look of the car while i work to find something to replace it!!

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

why not make them yourself? its not like cutting out the guts with a dremel is that hard and finding a good stainless steel mesh to rivet behind the outer part of the grille shouldnt be too hard either. at worst you'd have to buy another grille and try again, big deal. im sure you can find cracked or broken grilles to practice on and im pretty sure you can get them for nothing if you ask nicely at the local boneyard.

Honnestly, i'm not too good in custom building, and since i want a PERFECT replica, i'd leave it in the hands of some specialists, or as i also mention, picking up some vintage pieces if i can ever find any!!! I could practice on my current grille, as it's badly cracked , but i'll keep it to maintain the look of the car while i work to find something to replace it!!

if you even manage to find grilles like what you're looking for you will pay through the nose for them. how else do people get good at working on cars? by trying. people dont get good at things by not doing them.

when i pulled out my V6 radiator and put a V8 radiator in with an electric fan i wasnt sure how well it would turn out but it turned out exactly how i wanted it to be like when i got done with it. i had never made a real mod to my car before that and wasnt sure how it would all go together but i went through with it anyway. nothing ventured nothing gained. the cooling system has been flawless since i did it and im more confident now in doing more things with my car.

 

[rlsllc]

I would take the original grill and some good prints (color pictures) of exactly what you want to a good sheet metal or welding fabricating shop, and have them made from stainless or aluminum. It may also be good to take a spare header panel if you can come up with one.

 

[Member # 77]

Did you ever think of contacting "Petty's Garage" in Randleman?
I know you know where that is at since you took the photos at the Museum.

Petty's Garage
311 Branson Mill Road Randleman, NC 27317
Phone: (336) 498-3745