1963 Front Valence Panel Tabs and Grille Brackets

[Frederick H.]

The upper and lower tabs for mounting the grille in my 1963 Coupe are gone. The car was hit lightly in the front fender nose, driver's side, back in the early '70's, and it appears the lower front valence panel was replaced with a '64? I thought if we just attach the end grille brackets to the "tower" brackets on the inner fenders, we could figure out the tab spacing. However, when we held the grill up to the tower brackets, there was too much distance between them to fit the grill properly to the valence panel. From pictures I have taken of other '63's on the web and from a club member's '63, it appears there are raised portions on the inner fenders where the tower brackets are located - that area on my inner fenders is flat - not raised. Does anyone have any ideas how to get the grill installed properly?

Merry Christmas and thank you in advance for the help.

Fred

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Front Valence Panel Tabs and Grille Brackets

63 and 64 used the same grill so the tabs should be the same and in the same location. You will have to make the mounting tabs out of fiberglass and bond them to the lower valance. I had to make several to replace the broken ones on my 63. I had the original valance so I could locate the tabs easily you will have to use the grill to locate them or measure from another 63.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Front Valence Panel Tabs and Grille Brackets

If your inner fenders don't look like this your front end "hit" might have been harder than you think. I have a ton of pictures of the front end of my May 29th '63 car during its repair so will prob have whatever you might want to see.. Shots of areas I hope most other folks never have to look at on their own cars.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Front Valence Panel Tabs and Grille Brackets

Thank you for your quick response. I think my bigger problem is the missing raised portion of the inner fender where the tower mounting brackets are supposed to be located. I hope my body and paint guy can fabricate!

Thanks,
Fred #6873

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Front Valence Panel Tabs and Grille Brackets

Thank you - the photo's are perfect for what I need and the impact appears to be similar, although it has been a long time. I hope my paint and body guy can fabricate the raised portion of the inner fender or we will have to derive another approach.

Thanks,
Fred #6873

[Tracy C.]

Re: 1963 Front Valence Panel Tabs and Grille Brackets

Fred, Not aware of any raised portion on the 63/4 fender skirts. The 65-7 grill brackets are taller, perhaps they would work for you.