Repop Grille for '69??

[johns69_429]

They don't seem to exist, in any catalog I have anyway. Why?

[basketcase0302]

John,

The story I've read many times here states that the mold(s) for the grills burned up in a fire somewhere/sometime in the past? So we're left to scrounging for what used ones are left.

[johns69_429]

I see. Well, the '68 parts truck I am going to buy has a fairly straight grill. So I'm going to use that one I believe. I'm going to purchase the trim repair kit from Eastwood to get the little dings out of it.

[flyboy71]

John,

The story I've read many times here states that the mold(s) for the grills burned up in a fire somewhere/sometime in the past? So we're left to scrounging for what used ones are left.

I would love for someone to confirm that. Ive read that also. My question is how a huge steel stamping die can burn up in a fire.

[TNIceWolf]

John,

The story I've read many times here states that the mold(s) for the grills burned up in a fire somewhere/sometime in the past? So we're left to scrounging for what used ones are left.

I would love for someone to confirm that. Ive read that also. My question is how a huge steel stamping die can burn up in a fire.

My guess would be that it didnt burn. Rather the heating and subsequent cooling or application of water to extinguish the flames caused either a distortion or crack in the die rendering it for all intents scrap. Also the heat may have changed something in the molecular structure that may have made using it again very risky at the least.

[basketcase0302]

Maybe we should all start calling and bugging DC!
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... ilit=grill

[mrollings53]

Why doesn't someone take some measurments and make a new die set. I know that tooling is expensive, but I'm sure there would be enough demand to offset the cost.

[basketcase0302]

I did an hour or so of research on the topic of a fire at a Ford plant this morning that could have destroyed dies or stamps used for the grills in our trucks. The closest thing I could reference was the explosion on 2/1/1999 that took six lives at the Ford Rouge plant in Michigan. The fire started at a boiler in the part of the plant that produced the power for Rouge operations. It does reference "smelting" operations also being there if I'm not mistaken? There's several news articles published about the fire-but NFPA can never really be disputed as it makes new code and law become reality:

http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?ca ... kie_test=1

I'd bet that Hawkrod or a few of our other members that have worked for Ford for many years, might be able to enlighten us on this a little more.
Unless that stamping machine is stored away in a basement somewhere!

[chicof100]

I recondition all the aluminum grilles from 62-72 All original parts are used except for turn signal lenses on 67,68 and 69 I buy those new. On occasions I have NOS lenses but for the most part the lenses are new. All my grilles are polished, all dents and dings are taken out. I'll re-paint the Ranger bezels and red stripe in the center of grille. the Ranger emblems are original I just re-chrome them. The plastic inserts are bought new.

You may have a polisher in your town or close buy who may be able to do these grilles. Most want an arm and legg, and they want you to sign a waiver releasing them of liability in case the grille gets damaged by the buffing wheel.

Or you can try to polish the grille on your own.

As of now I have not seen nor heard of anyone re-popping these. If and when they do, you can expect to pay over $1000.00 for just the grille shell. Bezels buckets turn signal housings and lenses are extra. I suspect that a complete set-up repopped would run $1500.00 to $2000.00 if and when production starts.

So for now your left with the choices I have outlined above.

[71fordkid]

Ive always thought it was for saftey reasons. You never see 67 hood badges reproduced. maybe its because its a 1 year thing, or maybe its because the badges can be put on trucks that were made after the highway saftey nazi's made it a law that all vehicles had to have side markers/reflectors.... the 67-69 grills dont have the wrap around turn signals that the 70-72 grills have. maybe they don't repop 'em for the same reason.

[91Bear]

I don't see why safety would be a concern with those '67 badges. Plenty of emblems are repopped for cars older than 1967.

[tylerb43]

I contacted Dennis Carpenter at least 5 years ago and asked specifically about the reproduction of the 1969 Ranger grille. They told me the original Ford dies were destroyed in a fire in the 70's, and they had absolutely no plans of reproducing the piece.

The story in the link basketcase posted gives me hope that he'll try to reverse engineer one, but I'm not holding my breath.