Quote Originally Posted by randyr View Post
My grill is an aftermarket that I bought when my dad first built the car back in the 80's. They are notorious for not being the greatest fit. It was made in Argentina, which is the same place most of the aftermarket grills come from today. My inner fenders have been modified to clear the Mustang II upper A arms. The cut out was beefed up so they're pretty strong. I've never run it without the side panels because my engine compartment was never very attractive before this rebuild, plus I think the side panels add strength and rigidity to the front end. My grill was much more solid with the side panels bolted to it. The lower piece that joins the bottom of the fenders & grill is in tact and strong. I have also fashioned a connector rod out of some tubing but don't quite have it right yet.
My plan is to replace the rubber body mounts before I re-fit the front fenders so I can be sure it's all in the right place. Then I can deal with unsightly gaps as needed.
I`ve seen several Aus grilles at the swap meets, and told that they never look quite right, I found an original last year at the swap meet, slightly tweeked but I think it can be straightened as a spare for $ 80, no rust. I`m only guessing from looking at my `37 that the inner panels and the front support carry the most weight and sinse I`m not running my front support probably why my front group has settled over time.