1968 charger grille

[chargers777]

are these being reproduced?

[JB400]

The only grille related parts being reproduced is the grille support, the headlight actuators, bolts, spacers, and the trim.  I'm sure I'm missing something.  But, no plastic grille pieces are being reproduced.

There are quite a few people waiting for a reproduction grille.

[6spd68]

There are quite a few people waiting for a reproduction grille.

Indeed, we are 

[Mike DC]

   
Finding good used plastic '68-70 grilles was already becoming a PITA 25 years ago.  Literally.  We've been waiting for all this time but the reproductions never come.  The grilles have hovered just expensive enough to be problem but the prices never go quite high enough to justify the high cost of making new ones.


So you just have to pay $1000 and get a good surviving used one.  It's still the only option in 2013. 

[Its an Addiction]

I am restoring a 68 Charger and got a lot of parts when I bought the car.  I have a spare 68 grille and the local expert told me it was worth about $1500.  Does that sound right?

[JB400]

Depending on the condition of the grille, that sort of puts it in the higher end of the market.  If it's complete, with excellent trim and correctly painted, then it's worth that much in my book.

[skip68]

Yes, for a nice one.   

[Its an Addiction]

It looks to be original not repainted and in very good shape.  It doesn't have the trim on it but I got a lot of extra trim, probably 3 sets and some of it looks pretty good.  The on I am keeping is in amazing shape but the seconde one seems to be just about the same. I also got 4 sets of actuators.  2 are really nice and 2 are ok.  Are the grilles worth a lot more with the actuators?

[JB400]

The more complete the grilles are, the better the odds of selling them.

[Its an Addiction]

Thanks for the input.  Anything to offset the cost of restoration helps.  Also got a lot of spare Hemi parts so that will help.  The guy collected so many parts it was like he was going to restore 2 or 3 cars.  Have a good night.   

[myk]

They're reproducing the actuators?

[Ghoste]

Yeah, they've been out for a little bit now Myk.

[myk]

Thanks again Ghoste-this is like the one time when you told me that Lady Ga Ga was a man; I totally didn't know that! 

Now...when I google'd Charger headlight actuator, the first thing that came up was a link to an electrical conversion system.  Anyone know anything about that?  Further google'ing led me to a similarly priced kit at Charger specialties for about $500...

[Ghoste]

Did I really tell you that?   She may well be but I'm not sure I can prove it.

[myk]

Did I really tell you that?   She may well be but I'm not sure I can prove it.

I'm totally serious; I don't remember when but I remember thinking that you were my link to current events, lol.  But seriously, thanks for turning me onto the headlight actuator thingy...

[Ghoste]

Ooo, we're in a lot of trouble if people begin getting current event advice from me, I can't even look after my life responsibly.

[bull]

PG Classic has the original style actuators. i would imagine that BE&A has them too.

http://www.amazon.com/PG-Classic-B-Body-Grabber-Actuator/dp/B00EXRDTR2/ref=sr_1_149?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1381252120&sr=1-149

Oops, that's the air grabber pod. Anyway, someone has them.

Here's some: http://www.classicindustries.com/mopar/parts/mb368.html

[6spd68]

Does anyone have a pic with these ACTUALLY on a car?  Not just the cheap mock up in front of the grille as shown in their pictures...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-CHARGER-3PC-CUSTOM-CHROME-BILLET-GRILLE-dodge-68-custom-SAVE-MONEY-/181232120389

  Wouldn't do it personally, but interested in how it looks once properly installed

[myk]

Does anyone have a pic with these ACTUALLY on a car?  Not just the cheap mock up in front of the grille as shown in their pictures...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-CHARGER-3PC-CUSTOM-CHROME-BILLET-GRILLE-dodge-68-custom-SAVE-MONEY-/181232120389

  Wouldn't do it personally, but interested in how it looks once properly installed

Dunno 'bout that one.  Seeing how they couldn't even take the time to take a picture of the product installed properly (they just HELD the billet grille on top of the stock grill, didn't even remove the stock grill or bolt on the billet one), I'm not inspired by their product.  I'm pretty sure Vin Diesel's Chargers sport something like those, though...

As for the actuator pod repro's?  The $300 tag per pod is too steep for me.  For less money I could have that electrical door actuator system installed...

[Mike DC]

              
The F&F cars just have a screen mesh over the grille area as of the 5th film (last appearance of the black '70).  They've abandoned all attempts to get a Charger grille in all the cars and gone with something simpler.  

The entire 1970 front clip of the F&F cars, including the bumper, has become mostly fiberglass now.  They just use metal 1970 front end parts on the stunt cars when they are expecting the front end to get crunched.  It was becoming too difficult to keep 1970 front clips supplied. 

I would have tried to come up with a way to adapt '68/69 stuff to look like 1970 front ends, since the '68/69 sheetmetal is all in the AMD catalog now.  Or even just switch to 68/69 front clips entirely.  It's not like most of the audience would even notice let alone object to it.


--------------------------


The '69s in the 2004 "Dukes" movie appeared to be using those Showcars Inc fiberglass grilles (all air openings blocked off flat) on some of the stunt cars.  They had drilled some air holes in the flat surfaces of the grilles so the cars could operate.  

The reason they had all the grille plastic painted entirely black on the GLs, closeup cars and all, was to hide the bad condition of many of the grilles they had.  

[6spd68]

As for the actuator pod repro's?  The $300 tag per pod is too steep for me.  For less money I could have that electrical door actuator system installed...

Indeed, that's my route should the ones I have be flunky...

Keeping my center section hunt alive, unless my attempt at restoring mine go alright. (Have two complete grilles in so-so condition, going to attempt to make 1 that's good.)