71 cuda grille

[1ownr]

Our grille is damaged on the driver side, looking for some advice...
Should we look for an original replacement grille or get a newly manufactured one?
The plan is to do a full restoration, not a daily driver.

judy 

[2TAGS]

Hey Judy, You've probably noticed that a good original grille is very expensive probably $1000 - $1500.  I've recently noticed someone selling a '71 'Cuda repro grille on eBay.  They sell for $525 plus shipping.  I know nothing about them though.  So I guess I'm not much help.

Although, if I were you I would look at repairing your original grille.  An original color-keyed 71 Cuda grille is a rare item.  I havn't done it myself but there have been a few threads on the process on here and on Moparts.  That being said - if you do decide to get a replacement drop me a PM before you toss the old grille - I'd love to have an original one for my car.   

BTW - you were one bright gal to order that sweet ride!   

[Topcat]

Two companies come to mind on grille resto if you plan that route.

Alltrim
http://www.alltrim.com/

But it says on their website: No more orders being taken for plastic grilles for 09.

And
http://www.gcartrim.com/Plastic%20Grille%20Restoration.htm
I've heard he's does good work.
Scott at Harms probably knows him if you need to get a referral about him.

There's more but these 2 are pretty well known.

[1ownr]

Thanks for the replies. We're heading to Carlisle and thought we were going to need to buy a grille, just never realized it might be able to be repaired. Looks like more research to be done.

Just for stepping up with the free advice, you have just earned a free magnet!!   

I thought it might be neat to hand out free magnets to promote this site, so I had Aaron do up the artwork and I had a couple hundred magnets made to hand out at Carlisle. So, 2Tags and Topcat if you PM me your address, I'll send it to you.

judy

[Topcat]

Those look great Judy. Thank you very much. PM sent.
Let us know how it turns out and who you decide to repair it.

[2TAGS]

 

PM sent (maybe two by mistake -  )

[moparclown]

Hi Judy
71 Cuda grilles are the most $$$$$ piece of plastic going.Do you have the broken sections?The plastic repop has some bad feedback around the internet,I haven't had one so I really can't say good or bad.Plus keep this in mind?shipping out and back of your original might get a bit pricey(I would build a wooden crate that you could actually screw it into place,just my 2cents)Did you save the piece missing from the elastameric front bumper?

[the_engineers]

Musclecar TV on Spike just redid the grille on their '71.  They used a body filler/adhesive to hold the cracks and missing pieces in place and then sanded it back down to look good.  I was suprised how well it came out.

[1ownr]

Hi Judy
Did you save the piece missing from the elastameric front bumper?

we don't have missing grille section, but we do have the bumper section. I'm guessing the the bumper can be repaired.

judy

[Challenger6pak]

The bumper can be repaired.  You will have to find a grille that is damaged on the passengers side that you can use for parts or just replace yours.  If you go the replacement route keep the one you have in case you or someone else can combine it with another grille to make a whole one.

[moparclown]

I got the magnets today in the mail and they are absolutely beautiful.
I didn't realize we were so close to each other,me and the family go down to Westerly,RI. to the beaches a few times a year.
                                 Thanks Doug

[Topcat]

I got the magnets today in the mail and they are absolutely beautiful.

                     

  Thanks 

[2TAGS]

Me too!  Thank You! 

[Challenger6pak]

I received my magnets also.  They are great.  Thank you very much.
Tod