Reproduction 71 Cuda Grilles

[JonS]

Joel,

Thanks for coming in here and posting.  Please bookmark this thread and keep us updated! 

I'd be interested in purchasing one and am definitely keeping an eye out for updates.  So far they look great for a first attempt.

[JoltinJoe]

That repop grille u have...I've heard it warping badly in the sun.  Just an FYI.

I need more cowbell! http://www.dirtybutton.com/videos/978-i-need-more-cow-bell/

[Mopar_Mudder]

That repop grille u have...I've heard it warping badly in the sun.  Just an FYI.

Well might be looking for a new one sooner then later. Any idea what the best product is to repair one of these repop grills? We seemed to have cracked it trying to do a test fit 

[DocMel]

Any upate ref the new vendor?

[mopardave]

Nothing new from Metro that i have heard. other than they are addressing the issues that are known and fixing them now, More grille to come by the end of the month? so i have been told.

[tommyg29]

if they are retooling (remaking the molds) that can take some time. I know from some of the CNC manufacturing I have been involved in with smaller items, the molds are $$$, and I cant imagine the cost and time for a complex piece like this grille.
The molds for simple duplex plastic electrical boxes can cost tens of thousands, which I dont understand.

[DocMel]

Any update?   

[acudanut]

 Why did Chrysler/Plymouth destroy the orginal mold...Ford and GM never did such a thing..

[brads70]

Why did Chrysler/Plymouth destroy the orginal mold...Ford and GM never did such a thing..

Molds don't last forever. They wear out, crack, flash , ejector pins wear out etc.....

[CudamanTom]

Molds don't last forever. They wear out, crack, flash , ejector pins wear out etc.....

So Ford and GM didn't wear out?
Aint goin to buy that one....
Must be another reason.

[brads70]

So Ford and GM didn't wear out?
Aint goin to buy that one....
Must be another reason.

 I don't understand your meaning?  No one keeps original molds from 40 years ago? GM, Ford etc? Parts go obsolete when stock dries up. Then that's it ...gone.  I'm a mold maker by trade, I've made hundreds of Molds, they don't last forever. For eg. die cast aluminum molds wear out after 100,000 - 150,000 parts, plastic molds or molds for plastic parts last longer but the plastic is abrasive and in time they too wear out. Molds for plastic parts last longer than die cast aluminum molds , but they still wear out. When mold wear out they get scrapped.

[CudamanTom]

I don't understand your meaning? 

I was goin off the quote in the earlier post

Why did Chrysler/Plymouth destroy the orginal mold...Ford and GM never did such a thing..

[acudanut]

The legend/story is that Chrysler had to destroy all tooling and molds went they went broke and filed Chapter 7, or whatever...My only point was GM and Ford still have 40 year old parts you can still buy new...That or I hear they sold the die's to another company.

[the_engineers]

Certainly not trying to stir the pot, but they didn't make 100-150,000 '71 Cudas...

[mopardave]

Certainly not trying to stir the pot, but they didn't make 100-150,000 '71 Cudas...

i think Brad had a generalization of the amount of pieces a tool can produce before repair or replacement 

fwiw 71 production was only 16,159 wonder how many of these need a grille or vehicles that have been totaled, or vehiles still registered would be interesting