Early'32 Grill shell- chrome??? wall hanger

[Newc]

Hi; Found the remains of a '32 deluxe 4dr in a blackberry patch. VERY bad- pretty much Gone. Look at the grill shell- One hole and tiny flecks of old chrome plating? Were the intro dealer show cars equipped with chrome shells?? Hard to see the 'flecks', some under the rad emblem area, and the bottom corners were used to 'fix' a cut shell. Newc in Oregon

[DavidG]

That's a very radiator shell, for sure, but the surviving intro show photos' cars have painted radiator shells, as does job #1, a Victoria. Perhaps someone liked the Lincoln look along the way in the Fordor's life.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by DavidG

That's a very radiator shell, for sure, but the surviving intro show photos' cars have painted radiator shells, as does job #1, a Victoria. Perhaps someone liked the Lincoln look along the way in the Fordor's life.

For the novice mind still learning, how do you diagnose an "early" radiator shell??? OR are you saying its a "early" radiator shell???

[Charlie Stephens]

Any chance it is European, there are a few references to chrome shells on the HAMB European deuce thread (see https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...970652/page-44 see post 1036)?



Charlie Stephens

[Automotive Stud]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Any chance it is European, there are a few references to chrome shells on the HAMB European deuce thread (see https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...970652/page-44 see post 1036)?



Charlie Stephens

I agree. It doesn't look like any regular deuce shell. It's missing the two rectangle holes at the bottom, and it seems to be shaped a little different overall. Interesting wall hanger if nothing else.

[DavidG]

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Round hand crank hole in this early version instance instead of the oval hand crank hole like nearly all the rest plus two drain holes straddling the hand crank hole.

Charlie,

In each instance the plated shells are on restored or modified cars. All of the UK, German, and French archive photos show painted shells, including on the fancy German cabriolets.

[30yr32]

Hot rod modified for channeled car or something. Sides had bottoms cut

[deuce_roadster]

Dale, I agree with David. A previous owner (maybe owned a chrome shop) plated it to be different. Boy that sure has plenty of patina!

[Newc]

Thanks all; I cut out the bottom edges for repair panels. The rest of the body was worse... Blackberry juice is highly acidic. Newc

[Krylon32]

I had a beautifully chromed early shell at one time. Bought it at the NSRA nat's swap meet at a bargain price because no one seemed interested. A few years later a friend wanted it to add to his collection of shells going around his shop so we negotiated a swap and I got an unrestored winter front in trade. He had several winter fronts and this was the worst of his collection. I put the winter front in a 32 pu I sold in England.

[rotorwrench]

I've seen a photo of at least one that a hot rodder had plated back in the day in one of Don Montgomery's books. There were likely more folks that did it.

[RalphM]

Like this!
Sorry for the small image, but I could not get the picture to load so I had to take a picture of a picture.

[1931 flamingo]

I've seen several a loooong time ago and one recently on a p/up back from a long sleep. Chrome was a lot cheaper years ago, especially if you knew someone who worked in a plating shop.
My 32 5W came to me back in60 or 61 with all garnishes and dash plated.
Paul in CT

[rotorwrench]

That truck type grill likely took a bit more work to plate & polish than the car types with the removable grill would.

[jimvette59]

I think I can fix that. (NOT)