1958 Front Grill

[Jason P.]

I have been working on locating all the parts I need for my 58 Vette and I finally got the 2 front bumpers and all the correct brackets for the front. When I went to install the front grill, it didn't go in as easy as one would expect (not a big shock really lol).

I read a post where someone suggested using reverse clamps to make the opening larger. I am not sure what clamps I would use or how I would apply the clamps.

I already removed the first and last grill teeth on the grill. Should the grill get inserted into the outside edge of the bumpers or do they just bump up next to them? Hope that makes sense.

I will try and take some pictures this after noon.

Thanks,
Jason

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1958 Front Grill

I spent the better part of two weekends fighting to get the bumpers / grill aligned on my 58.

The bumpers need to be a little loose so you can slide the grill bar in and get the rear bracket on and snugged up. It can be trying on the patience but it is a necessary evil......

I had the original bumpers rechromed. When I bought the car it came with a new reproduction grill bar so I used that instead of the original. I fought with the alignment for hours and hours. Lots of colorful language didn't help either. For the heck of it I tried the rusty original grill bar - amazing, everything lined right up!

Putting the grill bars side by side, the reproduction had a different angle on the ends where it mates to the bumpers. This was throwing off my bumper alignment making everything look horrible. The original grill bar fit perfectly so off to the chromer it went and that reproduction one went in the scrap pile.

I had no issue using the original bracket to tie the grill bar to the bumper. Newer bumpers had the holes located in a different place for the grill bar bracket, 61/62 bumpers I believe.