71 Challenger Carbon Fiber Grille

[rebelyell]

I started a thread about this on C-C, but didn't get a whole lot of interest, so I'll throw it here too. Since the grilles for a 71 are extremely hard to find and stupid expensive, I'm thinking about taking my grille off and making an exact reproduction except out of carbon fiber. Holes in the correct locations and provisions to hold the trim. Anyone think this is a good idea? I really want to take the original grille off and store it, but keep the CF grille on the car.

[RUNCHARGER]

Oh yeah that's a great idea. I think it would look killer.

[Cuda Cody]

I like the idea, but how much would it cost you?  I think there are several people on here that have experience with reproducing parts. 

Are you planning on doing a bunch and selling them?

[ec_co]

there is a need for a repro, but not sure CF is the best way to do it. setting up the framing/mold/vaccuum would be a big undertaking and produce expensive parts. IMO .... just me .... I would look at having it 3d scanned and 3d printed. this way you could make them in smaller batches at a much lower cost per unit and no need to keep molds/framing stored somewhere ..... just pull up the digital file and re-print as needed.

[rebelyell]

I like the 3D printed idea. The problem with the 3D print is build size. A grille this size would be at least 3 prints probably taking multiple days a piece. Then there's the issue of fastening them together.

There are companies that make prepreg carbon fiber kits that have instructions on how to copy the original part by making a mold of it and using that with the vacuum bagging process. They're relatively cheap..$300 a kit and probably get 2 grilles out of them. I haven't gone into exact specifics yet..and who knows..this idea may die if I ever get my grille parts, haha.

It's just an idea still. I've been wanting to get into CF for a while. There are a couple of guys where I work who are interested in the idea and are egging me on. Should it work out, the option for offering them for sale would definitely be on the table. It's looking like it would be a weekend worth of work and it would cost a lot less than a 1-2K original.

[ec_co]

there are places that have the larger printers, just send em the digital file and go from there.

at that price it might be worth a try and if it works, you have the molds to make more and recoup your costs pretty easily if they are spot on. someone needs to do em, why not you?

[rebelyell]

there are places that have the larger printers, just send em the digital file and go from there.

at that price it might be worth a try and if it works, you have the molds to make more and recoup your costs pretty easily if they are spot on. someone needs to do em, why not you?

That's what I'm thinking. I'll try it out on my car first and if it works then I'll look into spreading the wealth. Fiberglass molds aren't that difficult to make, especially with 3 engineers working on it, haha.


Yeah, there are some with the large printers. I'm still not certain there is one with a build area as big as a grille. I'll look into it some more..haven't ever dealt with additive manufacturing at this scale.

[MoparJunkie]

I'd be interested in a repop grill. My 71 challenger came with a grill, but it has some damage on one side and it needs to be repaired. I need to figure out how to repair it best in the future. So because of the damage (one side is broken off a bit) I decided to buy another one from Tony's mopar parts awhile back. I think I spent $1300-$1400 on the damn thing. It would be nice if there were repops of any kind at this point. Then I would just hang my originals up for safe keeping. Last thing I need is a bird or a rock going threw my grill!!

[superdave]

I kind of need one myself but thinking about living with the crack. It wont be a show car so...I really like the '71 grill.

[GrandpaKevin]

Sounds like a great project as long as the grill looks fairly close to stock.

I have collected 4 super nice 1971 Challenger grills over the years for our cars but plan to keep them until a nice repop one is available.

[CudaMoparRay]

After you finish the Carbon fiber '71 Challenger grill make a carbon fiber '71 Cuda grill that would interest me. 

[cuda hunter]

I'd buy a CF one for sure.

Can't seem to get my hands on a 71.  Just lost one on here a month ago.  Shipping...

I don't even have a chally.  But I'd buy one of those CF one's.  Cool idea. 

[Bullitt-]

I'd buy a CF one for sure.

Can't seem to get my hands on a 71.  Just lost one on here a month ago.  Shipping...

I don't even have a chally.  But I'd buy one of those CF one's.  Cool idea. 

What's a good '71 Chally grille worth?... A few years ago I saw one at the Battleship show in Mobile, was complete & looked very solid for $700 .. Going back this year at the end of May.

[cuda hunter]

I just tried to buy one from a member here for I  believe it was 1400.00.  Plus shipping.  He had a buyer who didn't have to ship so I missed out. 

  I'm up in the mountains of Colorado so my pricing is skewed due to having to ship and always having to drive somewhere to pick up. 
  So I'm the sucker who pays too much for my parts really. 

700 is a GREAT price in my opinion.