Looking for input on how to fit a Vintique insert into a Brookville shell. Seems that the 2 companies have got some dimensional deficiencies when it comes to Ford measurements.Anyone have any ideas on how to mate these without distortion. Roger

REPRO stuff just does not fit !

The grille insert from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma fits the best of any of the repro 1932 grilles that I have seen. The grille from Oklahoma fits a original shell fairly well. The Brookville stuff I have looked at, looked good but the fit was a problem. I have a 32 buddy who has a grille shell, decklid and fenders from Brookville and NONE of them fit ....even close. He cut his shell in half at the bottom and rewelded it. Cut the passenger side at the upper corner and rewelded it. Now it fits his insert. He had to cut the fenders and splice them together also. The decklid has a 1/2 inch gap at the top and almost a 1/4 inch gap down each side. He has decided to find a original decklid. He measured mine and it would fit his 5W perfect. That is why I hunted high and low 20 years ago to find the best original sheetmetal I could to build my DEUCE.

If it is any consolation, you have to 'adjust' the stock original sheetmetal some also.....just not as much.
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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....

That seems to affirm someone's signature on this site, I just don't remember who's it was. Something like "measure, cut, weld. Repeat as needed". LOL.

phil
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One man's treasure is another man's trash.

Deuce, I'm also shopping for a repro grill insert to fit my Brookville shell & wondered if you could
give me a some info on "Oklahoma City". Is this the name of the company? Would you have
any contact info... website or phone #.
I have heard that another outfit called Daley Mfg.( may have the spelling wrong) makes an
excellent fitting insert, but I don't anything about these guys either! Have you ever come across
these folks? Anyone else know about Daley??

Ed
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Hotrods forever...

Obsolete Ford parts in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma or www.obsoltefordparts.com or 1-800-654-3247. The grille insert lists for $350 or so. It fits original shells fairly good. I have a 'few' original shells and there are at least 4 different original variations in 1932. When looking at original shells, look at the crank hole opening in the shell. Some are oval, some are oblong and some are large oval. Also..... the drain holes on each side of the crank hole openings that allow the mud and rain to drain out have different sizes and shape holes. I cannot say about the fit in a Brookville shell and a Obsolete insert, I have never owned any Brookville pieces.

I believe that Dales Manufacturing and Obsolete Ford Parts are owned by the same people. Both are in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Even original shells vary a little. I believe that Henry sourced them from different people during the model run (in other words....low bid). This would explain the differences in fit and hole openings. I do know that there is early and late style almost everything in 1932 stuff. Grille shells, dashes, frames, hoods and interior parts all vary according to when and where they came down the assembly line.

As side note, there were 32 different assembly plants in 1932. The closest one to me was Charlotte NC. I have a Ford employee badge from there. The grandfather of a girl I dated, worked at the Charlotte Ford plant in 1932. He was a maintentance man. I purchased his badge 30 years ago.

Sorry about the ramblin........ it is just my favorite car ever.
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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....

Ok, so I left a E out . Sorry.....

www.obsoletefordparts.com
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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....

Thanks Deuce! And to the others posting here. I always enjoy reading about the early years at
Ford and the anecdotes about Henry's manufacturing practices. Deuce, your info is definitely not
what I would call rambling... more a look into automotive history. The details you provided about variances in grill shells etc. is valuable to those of us working on old Fords.
Keep the info coming!! Again thanks, Ed
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Hotrods forever...

Thanks again all for your input. Will probably try to sell it and look at this Dales brand. Roger

Hi, I had the exact same problem trying to fit a vintique insert into a brookville shell--IT DONT WORK!!!!. I swapped the inset back to WALKIES ROD SHOP for a DALES MANUFACTURING insert and it fits pretty good. Of course I had to pay an extra 100 bucks, but it is a much heavier and better made insert. made in U.S.A.! I think the vintique inserts are made in china. good luck. Dale
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dalecarbuff

Yea I also have a Brookville rad shell and a Dale grille insert, it fit well with no problems. I think I paid $250 from Parr now its up to $300. I was warned about Taiwan grilles.
Dave
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dave