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A Twisted Tale Of Timeless Teeth - Quest For The Holy GrilleFrom the September, 2012 issue of Rod & Custom By Rotten Rodney Bauman
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[1] For the purpose of illustration,... [1] For the purpose of illustration, we will require a real wrecking yard, well stocked with late-model salvage of the ’50s. Today such yards are as rare a find as a ’53 DeSoto grille, but we’re not without resources. If the old red barn could talk, we’d gather around and listen. It’s been done before and it’s about to be done again. According to historians, the practice of grille swappin’ for old Fords goes almost as far back as old Fords themselves. For the old Tin Lizzie, aftermarket radiator shells were available and/or included with the purchase of a new Peerless radiator. These shells could be had in different styles. Some closely resembled Henry’s original, while other Peerless offerings featured a gracefully curvaceous upper filler panel as an elegant enhancement for old Lizzie, the T. Later, as our little pages personal libraries attest, many a T ’n’ A owed enhanced aesthetics to Deuce shells and grilles, which were, as we know, a popular choice of hot rodders. Here we don’t need a historian. The proof is in print; just as it is throughout the years that followed—it’s a documented fact that old Fords were often subject to facelifts. By the time the Shoebox-series Fords had caught on with customizers, there were options, which were varied and plentiful. Arguably, the greatest grille to ever grace the face of the Shoebox Ford was that which came from the ’53 DeSoto—The Holy Grille. [2] Today these doors are... [2] Today these doors are kept tightly locked, but from the mid-’50s and through the years they were open for the business of auto dismantling. So, know that the setting for our dramatization is 100 percent real. So, who do you suppose might have been the first to recognize the untapped customization potential of certain Ford and DeSoto attributes combined? The answers vary from historian to historian, and unfortunately there’s no known documentation in print, however I’ll hazard a guess that in one capacity or another, a wrecking yard played a significant role in setting what would become a long-running custom trendition. Here, through dramatization, we will now illustrate just how that previously undocumented historical event may have played out. Now that the quest for The Holy Grille has rendered the object of many a customizer’s desire, we’re done grille shoppin’ and we’ve begun grille swappin’, but not without professional help. If any part of the following procedure looks quick ’n’ easy, allow me to clarify that right up front—it’s not. In fact, it’s anything but. For this to be a legitimate step-by-step how-to, the installation of 24-hour surveillance cameras would be required, as doing this job justice would honestly take more time and pages than any magazine tech writer could manage to secure. However, we can monitor the progress and provide an over-the-shoulder view of a true artist at work.  [3] Across the top of this...  [3] Across the top of this counter came American “hard parts”, like engine and drivetrain components, starters, generators, and so on. Does anyone sense that the counterman may have been a hot rodder?  [4] For sheetmetal body parts,...  [4] For sheetmetal body parts, there’s a counter downstairs. This area once bustled with hotlines blaring and multiple phone lines ringing off the hook. This is where you’d purchase your DeSoto grille.  [5] From a counterman’s perspective,...  [5] From a counterman’s perspective, this is how Hollander interchange manuals certainly could have been used to narrow down the choices of in-stock grilles. In the body identification section, grille-opening shapes could be quickly compared.  [6] In our present day, now...  [6] In our present day, now that real wrecking yards have gone the way of the DeSoto, shopping for good, used auto parts is done in different ways. Gregg Lowry of The Jalopy Shoppe in Escondido, CA, located this ’53 DeSoto grille and gravel shield on a newfangled electronic auction site.  [7] Although Hollander illustrations...  [7] Although Hollander illustrations have suggested that the ’51 Ford and ’53 DeSoto share similar sized and shaped grille openings, they’re really not so similar in 3-D. After the initial trimming and fitting, Jalopy Shoppe’s Jimmy Benitez began the fabrication of a one-off, bolt-on grille surround molding.  [8] With Benitez holding the...  [8] With Benitez holding the molding, the rest of us can begin to see what he’s been seeing all along. Rather than rolling with the fat lip look that’s typical of DeSoto-grilled customs, Benitez intends to create a more factory appearance—like it could have or should have come that way.  [9] So who noticed the recently...  [9] So who noticed the recently pancaked hood? Benitez roughed that out weeks ago. Even in these early stages, endless hours have been spent slicing and dicing for flow and fitment. Before he continues, Benitez must take the necessary steps to squarely level the yet-to-be-modified bumper assembly.  [10] The telltale tape ’n’...  [10] The telltale tape ’n’ level doesn’t lie. The old Shoebox’s bumper brackets differ from side to side. The left (driver side) bracket is in serious need of an attitude adjustment.  [11] With the necessary cuts...  [11] With the necessary cuts and bends made, measured, and eyeballed, Benitez fires up the old MIG and tack-welds the reshaped bracket before fitting the bumper’s face bar once again. Don’t try this at home. Before any continuous welding takes place he will put his helmet on.  [12] Blending the conflicting...  [12] Blending the conflicting shapes of the Ford bumper and DeSoto gravel shield will likely present a challenge—even though Benitez has done it before.  [13] With only his tape measure...  [13] With only his tape measure to guide him, relief cuts are marked and made as necessary for the gravel shield to fit into the recess. Once satisfied, Benitez will begin the fabrication of new ends to fill the gaps.  [14] Here’s our first peek...  [14] Here’s our first peek at the modified gravel shield and soon-to-be-modified bumper as they’re “dry fit” to the car. Even in raw welds, we can now visualize how the finished job will eventually look—just squint your eyes.  [15] After passing a final...  [15] After passing a final fitment inspection, the modified gravel shield is secured to a work stand. A fresh 3M abrasive disc sends the sparks flyin’ as Benitez gets to grindin’. And, how about that safety gear? Good boy, Benitez.  [16] Quick, before he mocks...  [16] Quick, before he mocks it all back up again, here’s a sneak peek at one of the very first relief cuts made. Even though the new grille surround molding will cover this area, the welds will be finished and dressed the same as any more visible expanse.  [17] Put it on, take it off,...  [17] Put it on, take it off, put it on, take it off—that’s how it works, so that’s how we’ll show it.  [18] Now that’s a pretty tough...  [18] Now that’s a pretty tough look with just a few teeth missing, eh? Hens teeth would be easier to come by, so it’s a wonder we don’t see the toothless, tough look on more customs.  [19] “My what big teeth you...  [19] “My what big teeth you have!” This old custom Shoebox still has a long way to go, but there’s no denying it’s getting there. In our next installment, Jalopy Shoppe’s Jimmy Benitez will reveal an unexpected twist as extensive bumper modifications begin. It won’t be what you’re thinkin’.
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