Fab/Shaping A Desoto Valance

[Prostreet]

Hey Guys, here's a valance panel for a Desoto made from aluminum.

I placed a panel in with a cut out radius to get an idea what size area I wanted to stretch.



Then I copied that on my blank sheet.



Then to the bag to stretch the area.







After I got enough stretch, I chased the outer edge. There's a plastic coating on the panel to keep from scratching.



Here's where I took a piece of hard wood, and chisel, and chased around the outer edge to define the line.







Here's my first trial fit, notice the distortion around the outer edge. I will address that a bit later.



Now some quick clean up, and then I have to make two recessed or reliefs so the panel will slide under the center support for the hood latch and drill two holes.









Now clean up the edges and and then another trial fit.



And she's good to go.



So with a little time, and a bit of imagination, you can add some style to a very simple panel.

[406Rich]

That is so awesome how you do that...!

[Prostreet]

Thank you Rich

[cffisher]

Steve is that an original Missing panel or is that to improve cooling for the radiator?? Either way COOL work

[Prostreet]

No Charlie, we put a 360 in his Desoto and made panels to help aid in cooling, and the old valance was just plain ugly.

[406Rich]

I ended up putting a simple valance / scoop under the chin on my `37 coupe that fits the contour of the chin then ramps up to the bottom of the rad core, made a big differance on my slow speed cooling, but it looks nothing like the work Steve does...anim_63

[BAM55]

Very nice work.