Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Any one had there grill repaired ??? if so by who????. The center bar on mine has been dinged. Id like to get the grill looking new. The grill is the center piece on these cars i believe.
Pat

Pat, there was an NOS set of chrome louvers on Ebay shortly ago that I believe were listed by Max Merritt. I would have bid on them but it was listed as for'40/41'and I thought maybe there was some minuscule difference between them and my '39 that I would end up with something I couldn't use or would have to machine, etc. Regardless, they sure looked nice and the chrome was flawless.
I have no idea what is involved at the R&R part of the equation, but the many experts on here would sure be able to steer you. Chris

Thanks Chris, my louvers are really in pretty good shape but the center bar on the shell needs some help

All 39 Six through v-12 have movable shutters, the 40-41's that Max Merritt has REPRODUCED are fixed shutters, completely different.

The 1940-42 grills are the same size other than the senior models have louvered thermostat-controlled bars while the junior 110 and 120 models do not. The frames are also different between louvered and non-louvered so it's important to look for the proper one! I had a rechromed one from a 110 for decades but finally sold it a few years ago. The 1939 grill is totally different, being much wider, and has the center piece as part of the body grill housing while in 1940-1942, it was part of the grill.

Thanks again Don; you are really good with year and model-specific info!!! That being said, since I have re-removed my front end clip to take out my motor, how big a deal is it to take out the grill and have it rechromed?? Mine is in great shape (as far as dings and bends, and works perfectly re opening and closing) but someone has painted the louvered 'bars' with silver-grey paint. You can tell they are chrome underneath, but my guess is if one removed the paint, the chrome would be in less-than shape sans the 'faux chrome'.

Always happy to try to help but I'm really not all that knowledgeable anymore after all these years. In this case a 1939 grill is a completely different thing than the original poster's 1941 grill question and at the risk of hijacking his post, my memory of the 1939 grill is limited to only one single instance and I never took it apart but I seem to recall vaguely that it involved rivets that would have to be drilled out. However, my main knowledge of prewar is primarily 1940 and 1941 as I had three of the former (all 110 sedans) and one of the latter (a 120A Henney-Packard) so I'm afraid I don't recall too much of my 1939 Six after more than five decades since I sold it!

Okay Don, thanks.... and sorry Pat - no criminal intent re my butting in here!! Hope you find what you're looking for. Chris

None taken!!!!! its all good info!!