71 grille

[06Daytona]

I was talking to a guy on Saturday that owned a 71 Cuda either 20 years ago, or he was 20 when he had it, not sure which. Anyway, the car was in a big flood in PR and had water up over the roof. He didn't know that he could just dry it out, change the fluids and be on his way, so he sent it off to the wrecker. He kept the grille and he's willing to give it to me or sell it to me cheap. I love the 71 grille and want to put it in my car as long as it's in good shape. I know there are 4 headlights in a 71 and only 2 in a 72 but other than that, how much hassle is there to swap it over? He doesn't have anything else left from the car other than the grille. I'm guessing I'll need new headlight buckets.

[burdar]

If you can get it cheap...buy it.  Even if you don't put it on your car.  71 grills are expensive.  Many are priced over $2000.

I would imagine that quite a few small things would have to be changed.  Header panel to radiator support, wiring, fenders will be different in the mounting area.   

['Cuda Hunter]

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=19870.msg197333#msg197333


Check this thread out.  Answers.

[06Daytona]

Thanks for the link. I knew I saw something about swapping the grille, but I couldn't find it when I looked. I'll set the grille aside for now if I get it and when I start work on the front end I can think about putting it in then. The Puerto Rico Parts Fairy might just end up finding me all the extra pieces I need for the job.

[DocMel]

Take it regadrless.  The grille alone, even w/o the SS trim is worth $$$

If you do decide to use it, be prepared to spend about $400 for the outside SS trim, (If missing) and another $2-300 for the C shaped trim on the "Gills".   

[06Daytona]

Well, the guy showed up with the grille. It needs a little work, but has all the chrome trim and headlight rings. I'll get some pics of it later today and post them. Since my 72 grille needs work I'm going to fix the 71 and use that. I'll keep the outboard headlights as they are and put false lights in the inboard holes until I get it wired properly. The 71 grille lines up properly with my front bumper, so I won't have big, nasty gaps at either end and nothing in the middle.

[06Daytona]

Photos

[06Daytona]

I think I need one of those 'Stupid' signs from the comedian guy. Can't remember his name, but I think I deserve it.
I picked up some epoxy yesterday so I can do some repairs on the grille. It's the stuff in the syringe where you have to cut the tip off the two ends so you can squeeze the epoxy out to mix. I cut the tip off one, but thought the knife slipped so I cut it again without actually looking. I sliced my right index knuckle open to the bone since the tip was already cut.
Where's my sign?

[purple1]

I think I need one of those 'Stupid' signs from the comedian guy. Can't remember his name, but I think I deserve it.
I picked up some epoxy yesterday so I can do some repairs on the grille. It's the stuff in the syringe where you have to cut the tip off the two ends so you can squeeze the epoxy out to mix. I cut the tip off one, but thought the knife slipped so I cut it again without actually looking. I sliced my right index knuckle open to the bone since the tip was already cut.
Where's my sign?

Bill Engval... " here's your sign!! "

Busted and cut up knuckles are just part of the job. Duck tape it and keep going. 

A good epoxy for grille repair is PC7. You can get it at Home Depot. It stays put, doesn't run and is very easy to work into shape. 

[06Daytona]

I did a quick epoxy and paint job on the grille and found a set of 6 or 6 1/2 inch headlights with buckets and trim rings but they aren't Cuda. I made them work anyway and got the grille installed without much fuss. I have some pics, but my new laptop doesn't have bluetooth, so I'll have to get them onto the computer some other way. I'll post them when I do.