Thread: Grille- yea or neh

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You are not the only person with this problem.

I just talked with one of my customers, who has a really nice red '32 highboy roadster. He just did the Goodguys/scottsdale event, and noticed that, unlike last year, when he took his flamed '32 sedan, the roadster was not getting any attention. We are now planning graphics.

The point is that while the '32 roadster might be the "quintessential hot rod", if it is too generic, it will be overlooked when around other rods. I don't personally care for the grill, as well as the original, but that does not make it wrong or right. You need to please yourself first.

Like my friend, you obviously like the classic elements on a rod. On his, the flames will include some sort of "twist" to make them unique and memorable. Scallops might be another possibility, gold leaf numbers on the doors, some sort of a 40s-50s cartoon illustration, or "bomber nose art" pinup girl. I'm not going to get more specific, as this is how I make my living, but you can keep the classic look, and still make it unique.

BTW, beautiful car! I love the Moon tank! :-)

I have both grilles so it's no sweat which I use.
When I saw the pics- I liked it- and ordered it.
I posted the question here because I want opinions from other Deuce owners & you guys know your Deuces! Your opinion matters, that's why I asked.
I could give a crap what some guy w/ a 4x4 truck at a show thinks about my flamed grille, it's the people who love the Deuce that matter. I also don't want it to become a rat rod crossover of some type either. Originally- that was my fear but I ordered it in polished stainless instead of ready-to-paint steel for the flash. Rat rods don't shine.
I have a habit of wanting my cars to stand out. Many things done on my 55 Chevy were quite trend setting. People thought I was nuts when I did them & now there are kits to do the same exact thing I fabricated from scratch. What it got me was class wins 4 years in a row at Super Chevy Shows , 3 years in a row at GoodGuys & several covers & car show T-shirts. I'm always looking for something different but I don't want it different for the wrong reasons.
Sometimes you get caught up in the new & need a wake up call. Sometimes you can't see the forest through the trees.
That Dan Fink grille may be the final ticket afterall (later-long lead time). Unless- I can get someone to fab one out of show polished one-off 1/8" vertical SS box tubing to look like a traditional grille. Did I just say that out loud?

One of these days- I'll buy a car and leave it alone. Yea, right.

Yeah, opinions are very subjective, but you asked so you must really want to know. I don't care for "gimmicky" things like flamed grilles or those grille shells that are cut out to look like flames are trailing back from it. But that is me. If you like it that is all that counts.

Don

PS, you mention a Dan Fink insert. I have one on my '27 and his workmanship is beyond compare. I had to save up a few paychecks to get it many years ago, but it still looks great after 20 years.