'39 Cad & Las Accessory Grille Guard Question

[Bruce Berghoff- #1476]

In 1939 was the same Grille Guard provided for LaSalles and all Series Cadillacs using the LaSalle style bumper uprights when this accessory was ordered as an option ? Pictures I have seen in various reference publications appear to indicate this to be the case. It might make sense since the '39 Cadillac Series uprights are quite short to receive the notches for the protective/decorative crossbars. The upright on the left in the bottom photo is a notched '39 LaSalle . The one in the middle & on the right is a mock-up of a '39 Cadillac upright if it were to be notched. The top photo shows a '39 Accessory Grille Guard with LaSalle uprights .

[Bruce Berghoff-#1476]

Well...seeing I wasn't able to post my second photo ... I'll give it one more try ! bb Maybe this time it'll look like a '39 Accessory Grille Guard ?

[Otto Skorzeny]

The one on the left with the notches doesn't look at all like the one with the notches drawn on it. Am I not understanding something here?

[Doug Houston #2257]

Without going downstairs and looking, I have both front and rear guards as you show, on nmy 39-90 coupe. Since the bumpers are virtually idemtical for all series, wouldn't the LaSalle bumper use the same guards?

I'd be glad to look, but I' just now recovering from a ruptured appendix operation, and I'm having trouble dragging my shadow around.

[Jack Mcilwraith]

Bruce  the accessory grille guard did use the larger style bumper guards as the standard type were too close to the bumper to have given much protection. This is a picture of my car with Warren Rauch's car taken in 1981. My car has the grille guard. Possibly you can see the height difference in the bumper guards? The picture may be too fuzzy to be of use, however.

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Here is the orignal grille guard from my 1939 LaSalle, which seems to agree with the picture posted by Bruce.  The "notches" in the bumper guard show up nicely in the closeup.  I am not sure if this is the same for a 1939 Cadillac, but am almost certain that for 1940 it was different in both Cadillac and LaSalle.

Fred

[Aeroman (Juan Ramirez)]

I have to ask, where do you find such accessory grille guards?  I have a '39 lasalle coupe 50 series.....

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Mine were on the car when purchased, although needed plating.  Ask Bruce (of this forum).  He may have something or know where they can be located.  These may show up on eBay, but rarely.  If you notice the picture of my LaSalle, the fog lights are original Appletons and they were purchased from Bruce.  He comes up with some nice things, so i would certainly check with him as you progress with your '39 LaSalle coupe.  Also see 200 plus pictures of my 1939 LaSalle restoration at www.fzoldcars.com  You may get some ideas.

Regards,  Fred

[Bruce Berghoff-#1476]

Reply to Otto ... The upright shown to the left of my first photo is a side view of a standard 1939 LaSalle upright used on front and rear bumpers , and when sometimes used with front Accessory Grille Guard it came notched to receive two chrome cross bars as shown in this photo. The other two uprights are standard uprights as used on front and rear bumpers of all series 1939 Cadillacs , to which I have applied tape in the position where the two chrome cross bars would intersect if the factory would have used these as part of the front Accessory Grille Guard. I hope that better explains those parts ?

Reply to Fred...Yes, The '39 Cadillac Accessory Grille Guard is completely different from the 1940 Cadillac Accessory Grille Guard (see attached) , and yes I do know of the availability of each - in show condition. bb

[Terry Wenger]

Speaking of grille guards, I have recently seen a rear grille guard on Marc Ohm's 40-7567 formerly owned by Rick Zeiger and Ralph Liebendorf. It is not the usual front one installed on the rear as the curve of the bars matches the flatter rear bumper. It also has two of the small bumper guards on it. Does anyone have any information on this rear set-up or is it a custom made job?

Terry

[Warren Rauch]

  The Grille Guard was a late addition the the 1939 line. In the Dec15,1938 Accelerator it is listed as a recently added  item. It further tells that the bars are tempered steel 1/4" high.1 1/2" deep and 39 3/8 "long . The two bars are held together in the middle by a spacer.
  The Grille Guard could be used on front bumpers of all 37, 38,and 39 Cadillacs and LaSalles.And on the rears of 39 2-pass coupes , 39-75&90 5-pass coupes and 3960s model. THe parts book lists only one bumperette #1434898 that fits all 37-39 models. If this is just a notched 39 LaSalle type, how hard would it be to make the rest? Warren

[Doug Houston #2257]

Warren:    I was thinking the very thing. The '39 guard would be simple to make, as the guard bars are straight stock, formed to the slight curve of the bumper, then heat treated, and plated. The little center piece is just a wafer of steel.

I'm sure that the verticals would be seasy to form, for a guy that as the right tools.

Those guards do a lot for the car's looks.

[Bruce Berghoff-#1476]

Hey Doug...You broke the code !   What do you think some members are doing in their spare time ? bb