’67 Front Valance Mod

Jun 27, 2007
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17
El Lay
Getting tired of the stock profile of the ’67 Mustang, I decided to give it a new face.

After getting rid of the bumper guards things got cleaner. Next step was to cut open the valance, following the general look of a ’67 Shelby.

I took the car to a friend's house and we cut away. My buddy rolled the lip to give it strength as we lost 2 mounting points in the process.

You can see in this shot the mockup, before smoothing out the metal work and repainting.

<a href="http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h105/canyoncarver/Cars/?action=view&current=Valance.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h105/canyoncarver/Cars/Valance.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Here, the panel is ready for primer and a fresh coat of Wimbledon White...

<a href="http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h105/canyoncarver/Cars/?action=view&current=valancesanded.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h105/canyoncarver/Cars/valancesanded.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

And lastly, we have a whole new look!

<a href="http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h105/canyoncarver/Cars/?action=view&current=valancfinal.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h105/canyoncarver/Cars/valancfinal.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
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Love that!!!

I would rather have done that than buy the fiberglass Maier racing valence (which fit like crap).

If you get a chance, can you measure the width and depth of the notch cutout? Just something general so some of could maybe follow in your footsteps? :D
 
Well the width is easy, really. The opening stops 2 inches before the cutout where the inner bumper bracket comes out to meet the bumper.

For depth I played around with black tape before being satisfied with the shape. Basically the lowest point is 2 inches ABOVE the bottom of the license plate dimple. It would be easier to run just below that flattened spot on the panel, but I feel that it would make that "mouth" too large.

Now for the radius of the opening, we took a cardboard template from the radius of the grille, then flipped it upside down. This way works well and takes the guesswork out of doing it freehand.

Of course the cut was made 1 inch too small so there would be material to hammer in and create the reinforcing lip. In addition I also cut the valance so 4 tabs could be made if I want to bolt brackets and a backing grille at some point.

Plan ahead, measure twice and cut once.

What I particularly like about this mod is that I feel that it looks as if it was always meant to look that way from the factory. It was probably in the books in the design phases of the car, but the need for a front plate aborted it.

By the way the police is enforcing having a front plate now. So I am working on a stealth, flip-up system using a 70's Camaro rear license plate bracket and cable operation. More on that later in pictures when it's done.
 
So very good looking.

I was going to ask about front plate requirements in Cali, but then saw the last post. Looking forward to your solution there.

Also, are you thinking about putting an oil cooler in there?
 
Awsome mod. I have been thinking of something similar for awhile for the 68.
I was considering mimiking the shape of the upper grill also, but I was thinking of installing shortened grill mouldings around the outside edge to give it a even more finished look, kind of like the 68 Shelby. I am also planning on cutting up an old 68 grill to fit in the opening to help cover up some up the "clutter" in the background.
All-in-all, great mod, I love the look. Thanks for re-motivating me.
David.
 
Something like this?

3642G.jpg
 
That looks great, as does your whole car! You really have an eye for what works and what doesn't, that's for sure. As for anyone wondering about the front plate legality, I think most cops are beyond that these days. The Shelby front end on my car is plateless, as is my wife's Suburban. We've owned the Suburban for nearly 10 years with no hassles, so I'm not about to clutter up the front end of my car with one. If I get a ticket, I'll do what I have to to get the ticket signed off, then remove it.
 
Great mod to the Valance... I was directed to this thread from Other_Shoe. It came our really nice and looks great on your car!

I am doing the same thing on my 67, but my thoughts were initially to cut two holes on either side for the two B&M coolers I want to stuff behind the valance (trans & oil) and keep the 4 mount ppoints on top. I will fit some grill/expanded metal behind it to save from rocks.

Yours looks great, I may re-think & do similar & just re-locate the coolers to the big hole.

What did you use to role the edge, and if possible, can you post a cloeup of te lip? I usually weld on a lip, but rolling it out would probably work better on such a long stretch.

thanks - Mike
 
Great mod to the Valance... I was directed to this thread from Other_Shoe. It came our really nice and looks great on your car!

I am doing the same thing on my 67, but my thoughts were initially to cut two holes on either side for the two B&M coolers I want to stuff behind the valance (trans & oil) and keep the 4 mount ppoints on top. I will fit some grill/expanded metal behind it to save from rocks.

Yours looks great, I may re-think & do similar & just re-locate the coolers to the big hole.

What did you use to role the edge, and if possible, can you post a cloeup of te lip? I usually weld on a lip, but rolling it out would probably work better on such a long stretch.

thanks - Mike
 
Some places are big on the front plate, other regions don't care so much.

I think that mod looks great. I think moving the oil/trans cooler would definately be smart. If you have too much air flow at your radiator you can always put duct tape over the fins =)

Are you thinking of puting some kid of mesh in or maybe cuting down a grill to fit in to match the stock grill ?
 
You gotta check MVD code per state, In AZ we only get one plate on a new registration... no plate required in the front.
AZ ia also a Model Year Registration state, means that if you can find an original plate that was used for the model year of your car, and the numbers are available, you can register the car to that plate. I found a really nice 1966 plate (used in AZ for model years 66,67,68) for $10... the old plates are cool because they use the old colors, and have the year stamped in the plate on Right side... more unique than the copper Antique plate.

Anyway, that was way far off topic, but its fun to know info.