How to Build a GT Lid (in almost a day) Options

[Eric_Shea]

Damn this site is good...

I started the morning by searching the archives for "GT Lid". I found a great how to that took me to Dave's post on the PP BBS. Great job Dave. I was inspired. Off to the garage.

In building my GT replica I wanted my lid to match as closely as possible. I wanted the two screens to mate together down the middle. This is how my project differs from what I saw on other sites. I left the extra metal (not covered by an additional, original grill) at the back of the lid.

I actually only spent about 2.5 hours on this to get it to what you'll see below. The only thing left to do is to bend the final lip(s) down on the backside of the lid and prep for finishing.

Here's what you need if you care to brave the wilds of creating a GT lid.

* An extra 914 grill.
* Cut-off wheel.
* Tin Snips.
* Sabre saw with a metal blade.
* Die Grinder
* Vise
* Drill
* Body hammer
* Dollie
* Flanging pliers (or something... haven't gotten to that step yet. I'll keep ya posted)

Step 1:

I think this is a fairly easy way to get a GT lid started. I simply used an extra 914 grill but used it in the opposite direction. No "major" bending of metal (at this point). All you'll need to do is cut the mounting tabs off the long side where the two grills will meet. These tabs would get in the way of the tabs on the original grill. By cutting them off and using a "V" notch, the original tabs will be able to mount in their original holes (novel concept). I've also left as many of the (other) original mounting tabs as possible on the grill. More about that later. I used a small cut-off wheel to do the job.

[PRS914-6]

Eric, nice job on the grill.....I originally tried to do a GT grill on my car and could never quite get the "wrinkle" out of the front side since it's not quite the same shape as the original and the "U" shape in the grill just wouldn't lay quite right. Probably anyone but me would be happy but I just couldn't get it perfect. (you know how anal I am (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif) ).

So, the question is did you get that out or is there a bubble or bow in the screen when you sight down it? If it laid down right did you have to massage it to get it right or did it just seem to fit? Perhaps sounds stupid but I spent hours trying to get that out and gave up. Never tried a different screen though. The flatter paints tend to hide that though.

[computers4kids]

So, the question is did you get that out or is there a bubble or bow in the screen when you sight down it? If it laid down right did you have to massage it to get it right or did it just seem to fit? Perhaps sounds stupid but I spent hours trying to get that out and gave up. Never tried a different screen though. The flatter paints tend to hide that though.

Paul, If you flip the grill 180 and then re-bend the fold on the last 6 inches (both corners nearest the center welting), the grill lays down beautifully.


It's easy to underestimate how much time goes into making one of these grills...nice ones. There is a whole wide range out there from the crappy chicken wire ones they made in the day, true GT, to ones carefully crafted out of OEM parts. I've made 20 of them so far and each time I swear I 'm not going to do any more--Then time passes and my 914 bank is empty and I do another batch. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)