Finally fixed my deer crashed Grille

[PocketThunder]

So for you new guys who werent following along at home last summer.. see here:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,70995.0.html

I finally got some ambition to go out to my shop and pull the deer crashed original grille in my original paint Charger and put the new restored one in.  Well, it was either ambition that i suddenly had or the fact that it finally warmed up above freezing here in Minnesota.  I dont have my in floor heat all done yet in my shop, all my money goes to Charger parts, how ironic.

Anywho, The bumper and valence came off very easy, i love this Southern California car, every nut and bolt is 1/2 turn with the socket wrench and then i can pretty much back out the rest of the way by hand.   

So i need an original bumper that is in near mint condition.  I could buy a new chromed bumper but then it wont match the patina of the rest of the car, except the grille.  If anyone has one out there let me know.  maybe i'll find one at Mopars in the Park coming up in 4 weeks.

Paul

[PocketThunder]

And then i bought a mint condition hood that was supposedly taken off at creative industries so its never been on the road, but its green.   I decided that i want to keep my original hood on the car, but the front is all curled up, my friend Tim was over and he suggested i take a socket and put it under the lip of the front crease and bend the hood back.   Its not pretty, but from 20 20 you dont notice it and now i can keep my original paint hood on the car till i figure out what to do about getting the green hood repainted to match the fenders. 

Paul

[richRTSE]

Glad to see you're getting it back on the road Paul.  That new grill looks great.  Also, that one picture without the grill installed makes a nice reference photo for factory core support blackout.

[Bobby41909]

Bumper doesn't look that bad, maybe you could send it to Tri-city and have them straighten & rechrome it.  At least then it will still be your original bumper.

[aussiemuscle]

paint the green hood flat black 

[472 R/T SE]

Glad to see you're getting it back on the road Paul.  That new grill looks great.  Also, that one picture without the grill installed makes a nice reference photo for factory core support blackout.

That's not factory applied.

[tan top]

   nice grill     

[bakerhillpins]

Ugh, looking at that mashed up front end is so sad.     But the new grill sure looks good. I bet it's nice to finally get that on there.  I thought that insurance took care of the paint and all the other repairs last fall? Guess not.

When you taking her out?

Glad to see you're getting it back on the road Paul.  That new grill looks great.  Also, that one picture without the grill installed makes a nice reference photo for factory core support blackout.

That's not factory applied.

Yea, it looks like the firewall is all black to? 

[PocketThunder]

Ugh, looking at that mashed up front end is so sad.     But the new grill sure looks good. I bet it's nice to finally get that on there.  I thought that insurance took care of the paint and all the other repairs last fall? Guess not.

When you taking her out?

Well yes, i do have insurance money to pay for it, i just havent done it yet.  I cant make a decision to touch the original paint or not. 

Drove to work this morning.. 

Glad to see you're getting it back on the road Paul.  That new grill looks great.  Also, that one picture without the grill installed makes a nice reference photo for factory core support blackout.

That's not factory applied.

Yea, it looks like the firewall is all black to? 

Yes the previous owner did the Chevy treatment to the engine bay back around 1980... 

[69 OUR/TEA]

Good going Paul !!  But,we better hear for next year that the floor heat is up and running !!!

[GPULLER]

Maybe its just me but that doesn't look like your straighting the hood with a socket.  Kinda looks like some sort of locking pliers.  Just sayin'...

You going to make it to Mopars in the park?

[PocketThunder]

Maybe its just me but that doesn't look like your straighting the hood with a socket.  Kinda looks like some sort of locking pliers.  Just sayin'...

You going to make it to Mopars in the park?

well, ya the socket was under neath.  .   

Mopars in the Park is on the Calendar in Ink, (along with Mothers Day, my spouses birthday and our wedding aniversary)...   

I called Keystone Bumper and they can fix my bumber for $419.  12-14 weeks turn around time.  Maybe i'll see if i have another bumper on my parts car and put that on for the time being.

[bakerhillpins]

Maybe you should just put a push bar on the front rather than a bumper for the time being?

And get some vinyl "01"s for the doors.     

[PocketThunder]

Maybe you should just put a push bar on the front rather than a bumper for the time being?

And get some vinyl "01"s for the doors.     

I'll just use electrical tape...   

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Grille looks good.  I'll plan on seeing you out for Mopars in the Park.  Hopefully my car can make its show debut.

[GPULLER]

Grille looks good.  I'll plan on seeing you out for Mopars in the Park.  Hopefully my car can make its show debut.

We usually go on Saturday.  I will inspect both cars over 

[motorcitydak]

I can take a closer look at my bumper for you when I can get to it. I really do not care if mine is not perfect since I will be taking the chrome off anyways. Maybe if the bumper on your parts car is pitted and mine is better, we can just swap

[General_01]

Looks good Paul.

[SnoPro440]

It's looking good.  Hopefully I'll see ya at Mopars in the Park.

[moparstuart]

much better

[68_R/T_Eric]

Contact Ogden Chrome in Ogden, Utah for a price on straightening and re-chroming your bumper.  They did both of my bumpers, took the dents and dings out and re-chromed for $500.

[twodko]

It's great to see the front end going back together after that unfortunate event. Glad you got on it, the finished repairs will be better than before. I have faith in ya!

[TUFCAT]

I feel bad for you, trust me! Since my car has original paint also, I don't feel out of line by interjecting that I would probably forego the original paint stuff for a nicely painted straight hood. The fender edge damage can wait for a future restoration, but the hood shouldn't wait IMHO.

I assume you plan a complete repaint at a later date?

[PocketThunder]

I feel bad for you, trust me! Since my car has original paint also, I don't feel out of line by interjecting that I would probably forego the original paint stuff for a nicely painted straight hood. The fender edge damage can wait for a future restoration, but the hood shouldn't wait IMHO.

I assume you plan a complete repaint at a later date?

Eventually yes.  that is what the body shops wanted to do when i got my estimates after the crash.  I'm stuck on the "it will never be original again" feelings though.

[Charger-Bodie]

Paul,

Bring me both hoods, Ill tint it to match as good as possible.Then you can bolt it on and keep the original around.

[GPULLER]

Paul,

Bring me both hoods, Ill tint it to match as good as possible.Then you can bolt it on and keep the original around.

Yeah, what he says.  Not that far from home for you, plus its a good excuse for a road trip.  I call shot gun!

[69rtse4spd]

If you do not find one, let me know. Also have front bumper & valance that was taken off by them to create Daytones.  

[bakerhillpins]

Paul,

Bring me both hoods, Ill tint it to match as good as possible.Then you can bolt it on and keep the original around.

Yeah, what he says.  Not that far from home for you, plus its a good excuse for a road trip.  I call shot gun!

Sounds like a great offer and a great plan. Go for it. 

[PocketThunder]

Paul,

Bring me both hoods, Ill tint it to match as good as possible.Then you can bolt it on and keep the original around.

Good idea, hey i have a plan...... I'll bring my Charger and the hood to Mopars in the Park and then we can just swap Chargers, then when you are done i'll bring your car back and we can swap back Chargers... 

[Charger-Bodie]

Paul,

Bring me both hoods, Ill tint it to match as good as possible.Then you can bolt it on and keep the original around.

Good idea, hey i have a plan...... I'll bring my Charger and the hood to Mopars in the Park and then we can just swap Chargers, then when you are done i'll bring your car back and we can swap back Chargers... 

Now your thinkin.... 

[moparstuart]

Paul,

Bring me both hoods, Ill tint it to match as good as possible.Then you can bolt it on and keep the original around.

Good idea, hey i have a plan...... I'll bring my Charger and the hood to Mopars in the Park and then we can just swap Chargers, then when you are done i'll bring your car back and we can swap back Chargers... 

Now your thinkin.... 

just strap the hoods to the wing and take em home

[TUFCAT]

Paul,

Bring me both hoods, Ill tint it to match as good as possible.Then you can bolt it on and keep the original around.

Good idea, hey i have a plan...... I'll bring my Charger and the hood to Mopars in the Park and then we can just swap Chargers, then when you are done i'll bring your car back and we can swap back Chargers... 

I'll swap too....and he can KEEP my car!

[G-man]

When you dont have 20/20 vision, she sure looks like new 

I wondered if you would get around to fixing it. Well done Paul

[XS29L9B2]

nice work 

[FlatbackFanatic]

Looking good Paul, just stop chasing deer on your way to work.