(Words by Greg Rourke/Photos by Ben Chapman) – I’m guessing most BangShifters have a bunch of die cast cars laying around. Or maybe your kids do. When my kids were little tykes I have many fond memories of stepping barefoot on a Hot Wheels in the middle of the night. “But Dad, we were still playing with them!” You might have luck getting the little darlings to put them away in a big Rubbermaid tub, but probably not. What to do?
Our friend and master fabricator Ben Chapman in Wisconsin (You’ve seen his badass “The Effin’ A” on these pages) faced the same dilemma. His friend Matt Fellen came up with the perfect gearhead solution. He found that a 1973-77 Chevy pickup grill was the perfect size to make a great display and storage solution for the junior gearheads. Brilliant, no? Those grills have long since disappeared from wrecking yards, but LMC and others offer reproductions. And then there’s always swap meets. We intend to put this idea to good use in our mancave shortly.
Leave it to hot rodders to come up with a solution to most any problem.
Cool idea. Wonder what the best Ford and Dodge grills would be.
Perfect. Most of mine are Johnny Lightnings and I keep them at work. One was stolen recently so I will likely take them home to display in my shop. The truck grill seems like a great solution to my display dilemma. How do I know one was stolen…? When I add any to the collection I take a picture with my phone to show my kids. A car went missing the a couple weeks ago and I couldn’t recall what sat in its spot. I quick check of the newest pic and it was clear the Red Ford Maverick had been pinched. Not a valuable car. If I was going to steal one – there are a handful of rare, but unboxed ones sitting out.
Hate to hear your Maverick was stolen. I used to keep some models on my shelf at work until I caught a co-worker trying to lift one. He claimed he wanted one for his son (he has no son) and thought I didn’t mind him taking a few.
Still looking for Johnny Lightnings? Try Tractor Supply Co. or some of the John Deere dealers. You can find a few models there, such as the Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer and International 1200 pickup while they are still there. You may have to hurry since they have marked down the prices.
The price just went up on 70s Chevy grills.
Ooooh…I want that.
I use old Aurora slot car track for my shelves, but the grill is a way cool idea.
Try Parts Geek. They have them w/o emblem for $25.