Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

A friend of mine just bought a pretty nice unrestored '40 Deluxe Coupe and I happened to notice the unusual grille. The grille center sections are not cast pot metal with chrome plating but stamped sheet metal. Never seen this kind before but would like to know more about it. Was it aftermarket? Appreciate any feedback from all the 1940 Ford owners & experts out there.
Thanks,
Mike in Texas

(Sorry, can't get my photos to upload - I've tried to resize them without any luck.:()

Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

E-mail the pics to me and I'll try to post 'em for you. DD

My e-mail:

[email protected]


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Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

A picture of the outside of the grille will generally not tell you anything but the backside will show how pieces were welded and attached together to make the assembly.
In the early days aftermarket grille assemblies were offered for a time generally by auto body paint supply stores as a cheaper alternative to factory original replacements.
I believe there are new fabricated grille assemblies being made today by aftermarket suppliers.

Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

McGarrett, These were very cheap after-market pieces widely available in the late 1960's in to the mid 1970's.

Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

I assumed it might have been aftermarket, but wasn't sure. Thanks for all the replies. Discoveries like this sure keep things interesting!

Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

Mike's Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille pictures

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1634751572

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1634751572

Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

That grille looks surprisingly good. I am thinking "Made in Argentina".

Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

EVERY LAST PIECE of that Argentina crap that I got from Tommy Traylor at Specialized Auto Parts in the '60s & '70s was decidedly AWFUL! Model "A", '33-'34, '37....it didn't matter .....it was ALL garbage! DD

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Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

v8, you make a good point. I recall that the cast Argentina grilles were garbage.
Guess, I was thinking to optimistically. Still wonder where the grille shown was made.

Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

I am old enough to remember when there was LOTS of "Industria Argentina" stuff floating around and my wagon had one of those stamped tin grilles with it when I got it in 1973! Of course it was bent and twisted. The rubber products they made were worse then not using any rubber part at all.

Re: Unusual 1940 Deluxe grille
 

If you had Argentine hub caps the local male dog could get them to rust immediately!