1972 roadrunner/gtx grille

JosephGiannini · Post by **JosephGiannini** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:41 am

I was wondering if anyone had a hand on the blueprints of the design of the 1972 roadrunner/gtx grille.

I am trying to see if cost/materials would be worth recreating the grilles.

Possibly in an aftermarket media other than poly vinly plastics.

Maybe carbon fiber or fiberglass.

Or recycled metal.

But if anyone had the blueprints for it in jpg format it would be awesome

72GY9Runner · Post by **72GY9Runner** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:35 am

I just posted last week that I have a guy offering to recreate the grilles for me if we cover the cost of purchasing the die. While I don't have the blueprints, this shop has a computerized stamping machine and says with my old grille he can measure it up and program it in.

JosephGiannini · Post by **JosephGiannini** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:46 pm

now are you tlakign for the center assembly or the entire assembly all the bezels grille screw tabs etc etc. And hwomuch woudl w enee dot pony up for the die to be made. And if we do that do we keep the die? And do we get the grille for th ematerials or wha tis total cost and materials.?

72GY9Runner · Post by **72GY9Runner** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:08 pm

That was just for the grille mesh with the hex pattern. The hex die fits his specific stamping machine, so I assume he would keep the die. He had advised that this part would cost $300, and that the cost of making the mesh afterwards would depend on how many were being made (cheaper if he's stamping more of them due to only having to program the machine once). I haven't talked to him further at this point, as I wanted to wait and see how much interest there was here.

I imagine that if we had a few people that needed it, we could easily get the overall cost per grille below the $200.00 mark.

JosephGiannini · Post by **JosephGiannini** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:53 pm

that is actually worth it.
But I was looking for the blue prints to mock up a entire grille bezels and all and make it out of sheet metal at first then see where I could resin it etc etc. make it from scratch. Carbon fiber it etc etc. But i think i would mock up a few out all steel sheet and then work from there seeing where I could use roll rod etc etc. To get the ducted look but with some more durable materials. True it would weigh more. But I am not happy with a plastic grille Especially not for 2500$ for an entire plastic grille.

72GY9Runner · Post by **72GY9Runner** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:57 pm

I agree, the plastics of the 70's were really crappy. That said I guess they lasted for the better part of 35 years, but carbon fibre or even a present day plastic would be nice. Fortunately for me, my grill was pretty solid and was only missing a couple of small peices. I was able to do some epoxy resing work on it and it looks like new. Just need the mesh. I'll keep you posted on the new stampings.

Capsule · Post by **Capsule** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:07 am

Hey JosephGiannini,

If I were to reproduce the complete grill, I would have all the plastic parts of an original grill 3D-scanned into a computer 3D-file, then reconstructed in a 3D CAD programme.
From there you could have casting moulds milled out either in aluminium for plastic injection moulding or in hard plastic for fibreglass/carbon moulding. If you 3D-scan the original, all the small errors in the old casting can be corrected.
I aggree with you that an original blueprint would be great to have for this project, but is it realistic to find one you think?

Just an idea!
Capsule

JosephGiannini · Post by **JosephGiannini** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:12 am

I was just checking to see if anyone had one. I dont need to use CAD. I would jus tmake mock ups out of metal and cast the old way etc etc. Then cabron fiber a model make a clay mock up as well. I agree with you it would be great. But i was just checking. Some of the people who attend these forums have resources I would have never thought of. i was just asking. I can probaly reverse engineer one form computer extrapolation software and like a million photographs then use a CAD generator. But the problem I have had with CAD is it is not precise. That is why I like hand built hand welded and formed. That way I know hey this needs tobe off on the left but not the right mill it make a prcedure here and there. But I digress. All I was wonderign is if anyone had one lol.

scottish440 · Post by **scottish440** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:31 pm

How would you like that grilled?

I have been looking into this for the last 2 years.....my overall plan was
to go with plastic injection moulding...I have explored this thoroughly...
there was an issue....money.....if I had $100,000 to blow i could easily
have it done...(pricing included scanning...making a billet....crafting dies)
....$50,000 get there pretty good.....$30,000 was my best US price.....but
their part piece price was the highest....$95 dollars a section.

How many could be sold??? Sure we want them...but can i gamble with my
kids college fund that i could move 1000 units....lol

the best deal was by far the over seas companies....free samples!!!....but
....but....i would have to send a almost non-English speaking person my
72rr grill???? (i have 2 1/2 sets now....lucky...yes)

Mesh....a different story...not as long

The big kicker was.....the mounting brackets (Thanks to 72Rdrnner for
all of the awesome pictures) could a grill be sold without brackets??

alas.....i have a passion for this car...that runs deep "not to mention I am
obsessive compulsive" (when I am not on my meds...lol) which has led
me to pursue this further......so today...ironically i got the call that my
samples are ready.....

What I will have hopefully will be an accurate but not expensive alternative
for all of us.....

xray · Post by **xray** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:22 am

scottish440 wrote:How would you like that grilled?

What I will have hopefully will be an accurate but not expensive alternative
for all of us.....

Are you getting a free sample for the plastic pieces or for the mesh??

scottish440 · Post by **scottish440** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:48 am

These will be complete grill sets.....the bezels are done...and they were
not free...lol

The free would have came from China......these will be USA all the way.

After test fitting I will post pics....scott

JosephGiannini · Post by **JosephGiannini** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:00 pm

As I said before I wouldnt injeciton mold anything.
I would keep the look but probaly go all metal
That way you could fabricate the metal into the brackets themselves.
As well as structural integrity this is why I wanted blueprints.
Or I could cast it and make a mold and cabron fiber or fiberglass it it isnt that difficult to do. having plastic injection and all is way over priced.
i dont think the market is that huge for 72 grille sets.
I mean great idea. But I hate plastic parts. If i get a hold of a 72 grille i will probably fab one out of steel one out of aluminum one out of fiberglass and one out of carbon fiber. Plastic to me is kinda not very durable . Especially for a grille.

scottish440 · Post by **scottish440** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:43 pm

grilled to perfection

the types of plastics used back in the day were lacking...plus the center
of the 72 roadrunner grill was a flawed design. Floppy! Humpy?

Modern plastics and (unnoticeably) ribbing under the lip of the center
section for reinforcement is an easy fix.

You are right steel would be cool..
scott

Post by **Eric** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:13 am

Seems to me that if you're going for a 100% correct look (including back side and mounting points/hardware) the choice would be plastic...plus I can't even imagine what a steel grille would weigh! There are some amazing plastic polymers out there now. Like the rear spoilers that FPAP is making now. These things are 100% better than the originals and pretty near indestructible. Just my 0.02

JosephGiannini · Post by **JosephGiannini** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:28 pm

plastic polymers are ajoke in durability and safety.
plus reproduction polymer spoilers dont work.
I want to build me a steel grille.
One if you are worried about weight dont
71-72 roadrunners weigh in at about 3400lbs
lighter than a 04-06 gto which is 3725
and who has a a 34 year old muscle car for weight?
i want durability and function.
I weld and fabricate.
It would cost me what the price of welding wire.
I see people in the forums complain about cost.
As these vehciels appreciate you have to adjust for that.
As far as steel. Show me a supersonic aircraft made out of plastic.
I dont think so.
one polymers and plastics are flamable highly.
Two they arent very durable or easy to fix.
I mean i will make one out of cabron figer jus tot se ehow it looks
porbably make a mold and make one out of fiberglass too.
That is what i am going to do.
But i see these cheesy plastic chin spoilers and stuff that dotn work.
why not make it functional and look good too?
and durable?
Wasnt that what goo dautmotive engineering was about.
Functionality with a flair for the asthetics?

Road Runner Nest

1972 roadrunner/gtx grille

1972 roadrunner/gtx grille

How would you like that grilled?

Re: How would you like that grilled?

medium rare please

grilled to perfection