Gladiator/Rhino Grilles
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:18 pm
I'm now taking orders for fiberglass reproduction gladiator grilles. These are exact copies from an original gladiator grille.
Please see this thread for more info and pics http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=154793
Please read carefully-
What it is-a repro gladiator grille taken directly from an original. Its made of fiberglass and is finished in primer. It will bolt up just like the real thing. I would call it paint quality as in your not going to add a chrome paint and make it shiny and perfect like an original. Edit Some customers have had success with chrome paint purchased on the internet. You will have to spend some extra time sanding it perfectly smooth for best results.
What it isn't-a show piece that will win you a trophy at the next competition. There are minor imperfections since the original was not perfect but in really good shape. There are small spots here and there that need to be sanded flush. They are specs the size of a pencil tip that you can sand down if you wish to get it perfectly smooth for chrome paint. I've found this is not to be necessary with other types of paint. This was due to minor imperfections in the mold due to tiny air bubbles. It does look very good strait on and from five feet away looks nearly perfect. A close inspection will of course reveal the imperfections. It would take many hours for me to make it perfect to the point where I'd have to charge way more than anyone would want to pay.
I will leave the 6 mounting tabs undrilled so that each customer can adjust where the grille gets mounted. I know on my 82 I had to mount my original gladiator a little lower so the hood wouldn't hit it when closed. The tabs on the repro grille are large enough to where each customer should be able to drop it down far enough for the hood to clear. Those with older style hoods will not have this problem since the hood is shaped differently.
The grille will be $150 by itself, $165 with badge and $200 for a whole kit-grille, badge and pie pans. Looking at a few other threads as of recently it looks like there are some cool options for lights to replace the pie pans. Shipping should be pretty reasonable since its fairly light weight. Compared to what I've seen on ebay-rusted, bent, missing tabs, etc. I think these are a great deal. Why pay $200-$300 for a rusty beat up old grille that will only get worse with time. Fiberglass doesn't rust!
If you are interested in a grille please email me and I'll add you to my list. I can send you the instructions before you purchase the grille so you will know exactly what's involved in the installation. I'm not going to take deposits just build them and contact you when its done. If you don't have the funds at the moment it goes to the next person in line. Money orders are preferred but paypal is an option as well. Email me at rrielly@verizon.net with any questions
Please see this thread for more info and pics http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=154793
Please read carefully-
What it is-a repro gladiator grille taken directly from an original. Its made of fiberglass and is finished in primer. It will bolt up just like the real thing. I would call it paint quality as in your not going to add a chrome paint and make it shiny and perfect like an original. Edit Some customers have had success with chrome paint purchased on the internet. You will have to spend some extra time sanding it perfectly smooth for best results.
What it isn't-a show piece that will win you a trophy at the next competition. There are minor imperfections since the original was not perfect but in really good shape. There are small spots here and there that need to be sanded flush. They are specs the size of a pencil tip that you can sand down if you wish to get it perfectly smooth for chrome paint. I've found this is not to be necessary with other types of paint. This was due to minor imperfections in the mold due to tiny air bubbles. It does look very good strait on and from five feet away looks nearly perfect. A close inspection will of course reveal the imperfections. It would take many hours for me to make it perfect to the point where I'd have to charge way more than anyone would want to pay.
I will leave the 6 mounting tabs undrilled so that each customer can adjust where the grille gets mounted. I know on my 82 I had to mount my original gladiator a little lower so the hood wouldn't hit it when closed. The tabs on the repro grille are large enough to where each customer should be able to drop it down far enough for the hood to clear. Those with older style hoods will not have this problem since the hood is shaped differently.
The grille will be $150 by itself, $165 with badge and $200 for a whole kit-grille, badge and pie pans. Looking at a few other threads as of recently it looks like there are some cool options for lights to replace the pie pans. Shipping should be pretty reasonable since its fairly light weight. Compared to what I've seen on ebay-rusted, bent, missing tabs, etc. I think these are a great deal. Why pay $200-$300 for a rusty beat up old grille that will only get worse with time. Fiberglass doesn't rust!
If you are interested in a grille please email me and I'll add you to my list. I can send you the instructions before you purchase the grille so you will know exactly what's involved in the installation. I'm not going to take deposits just build them and contact you when its done. If you don't have the funds at the moment it goes to the next person in line. Money orders are preferred but paypal is an option as well. Email me at rrielly@verizon.net with any questions
