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Old 11-09-2020, 11:55 AM   #1
Brent
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Default Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

I have been looking for a decent 1931 grill shell for my coupe for a while. I've come across a few but compared to what's available for 1930 shells, it's a noticeable difference.

While twice as many 30s were made, there seems to be a 50:1 availability of 30 vs 31 grill shells.

Can anyone enlighten me?
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Old 11-09-2020, 12:46 PM   #2
Brentwood Bob
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

After the stock market crash in 1929, and also, the dust bowl of the Midwest, killed the demand and few fords were made in 1931.
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Old 11-09-2020, 12:55 PM   #3
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Bob, out of the 600-something thousand 1931 Fords were many of the early 31s a "1930" shell? That's something I've wondered, too.
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Old 11-09-2020, 01:22 PM   #4
fried okra
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

I was thinking the '28/'29 grill shells were the same......and the '30/'31 grill shells were the same.

I guess there is a visual or some other difference between the '30 and the '31 grill shells?
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Old 11-09-2020, 01:54 PM   #5
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Unlike the previous models, the '31 shells were assembled from several pieces. With all of the impact and twisting that comes to bear on this part of the car, many of them simply fell apart.
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Old 11-09-2020, 02:05 PM   #6
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

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Quote:
Originally Posted by fried okra View Post
I was thinking the '28/'29 grill shells were the same......and the '30/'31 grill shells were the same.

I guess there is a visual or some other difference between the '30 and the '31 grill shells?
Fried Okra, take a look.



Left 1930 - Right 1931

The 1931 shells had a top insert and some early ones had a bottom insert but later changed to a 1-piece lower section.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 30 vs 31.jpg (53.2 KB, 453 views)
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Old 11-09-2020, 02:12 PM   #7
Brentwood Bob
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

And there were several versions.
The pickups, and maybe the exports would use up carryovers.
And if you got what was in a small town show room there would be variants.
Remember the roads were hard on anything that used them. Can't see where migrant farm workers could manage to preserve sheet metal.
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Old 11-09-2020, 02:14 PM   #8
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

how many different versions are there in 31 shells I have seen at least two they look the same but are made differently and don't interchange. I had such an issue finding a good one that I bought a car for the shell and replaced it and sold the car again
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Old 11-09-2020, 02:27 PM   #9
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Forgetting Canadians and pickups were steel not stainless
I think only 2 versions of 31 shells
Later 31 had a inserted bottom like the top
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Old 11-09-2020, 05:30 PM   #10
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Interesting BlueOval, I assumed it was the other way around for production simplicity and efficiency's sake.

I currently have an okay one with both inserts and a rough one with a top insert only. The surround is pretty bad, but the insert and the bottom are good.

I have a few very good top inserts that I got from a sand blaster's estate sale that I'd love to use to help build a couple of good ones as they're my favorite looking grill shell and they're simple projects to mess around with.
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Old 11-09-2020, 06:11 PM   #11
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Brent I’m going from memory which fades with the years
I didn’t look in JS and don’t even know if it refers to that issue
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Old 11-10-2020, 10:09 PM   #12
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Quote:
Originally Posted by fried okra View Post
I was thinking the '28/'29 grill shells were the same......
The '28 and '29 look the same. But they are indeed different around the crank hole.
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Old 11-11-2020, 01:24 PM   #13
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Early '28 shells had bigger holes for the hood welting. It weaved in and out of the holes like the Model T.

All others had the welting rivetted to the shell.
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Old 11-11-2020, 01:47 PM   #14
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

There were actually three radiator shells made for 28/29. From the beginning of production through February '28, the lacing was woven through holes rather than riveted to the shell. It also had a round, raised boss for the crank hole cover. In February '29, the raised boss was changed to a bell shape. In addition, the holes for the horn and headlight conduits were increased from 3/64" to 5/64" to accept the larger conduits. There were also some changes in the crank hole rivets. These differences were the same for painted commercial shells as well as nickel plated shells.
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Old 11-11-2020, 07:31 PM   #15
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Check the swap meet there is a 31 shell for sale.
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Old 11-11-2020, 10:17 PM   #16
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Default Re: Why are there so many more 1930 grill shells than 1931s?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ModelAMike1930 View Post
Check the swap meet there is a 31 shell for sale.
Recently? I'm looking again, now.
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