Mel Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 I am in the latter stages of a full restoration of a 1938 Dodge Business Coupe however the chrome strip that runs down the center of the hood has disappeared. Do people have any suggestions on where to find a replacement, or have one made? I checked at local metal fabricators and they all ran the other direction. Thoughts? Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidevalvepete Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Suggest whatever of the old wrecker yards you can find in the US first or place an ad in the classifieds here. I am in New Zealand and have a 38 too. I don't have a spare center trim though but I do have a New Zealand contact who has a lot of 38 Dodge stuff that could well have. If you have no luck closer to home then PM me and I will check it out for you. Good luck. Show us some pics ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58prostreet Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 google Max Merit Auto Parts. They have Packard parts, but also make trim pieces for any car. They made the side trim for my '52 Dodge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andydodge Posted February 3, 2022 Report Share Posted February 3, 2022 Dunno if this is any help but Dodge used the side opening hood at least till 1948, I just went & measured the centre chrome strip on my Oz 1940 Dodge which actually uses the USA sourced 1940 Plymouth hood which is longer than the USA 1940 D14/16 Dodge.......but as far as I know that centre strip is the same used on both 1940 Plymouth & 1940 Dodge hoods.............anyway the centre chrome strip on my car is 33 & 3/8th long and 1" wide.........if thats any help.......andyd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted February 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 Thanks for the tips, I am in communication with Max Merit and it may have possibilities. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidevalvepete Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 Mel. That is a nice looking vehicle. You have done well with your build. I checked my D8, D9, D10 Parts book and your vehicle has the same trim options as the D9. These two models have the stainless trim on the top panel (from behind the mascot, which I think you are after). This is identical to the D8 model too. There is also a stainless trim strip on the edge of each hood top section. This differs slightly from the D8 which has a very similar strip but it then runs into a stainless trim strip that goes all along the beltline of the car. The D9 and D10 stop at the hood and don't continue over the cowl, door and further back. This is shown (sort of) in the following two pics. The coupe is a D8. The sedan is a D9 - mine. Having said all this, it looks like your build may have the attachment holes for these trim pieces closed over. Am not 100% here but when I enlarge your picture it appears like that to me. If so you may consider leaving your car with no trim. It certainly has very nice lines without, from what I can see. Personal choice I know. Again, a great looking car. Thanks for the pic. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted February 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 Thanks Sidevalvepete, your info is very useful as it helps me broaden out the search. There are holes on the sides of the hood, but they do not extend down the body. The car had stick-on ‘chrome’ when I got it, and I prefer not to go down that route. It feels sacrilegus at this point. Your cars look awesome and the colour of the lower one is great!! cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graefen Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 https://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~partsort Look at this Max Merrit page. Or, look at "Flex Chrome" website, the chromed vinyl stuff, many types of which are on ebay. It is very reasonably priced, some places sell by the foot. There are multiple profiles available. I've used flex chrome product several times. It is actually more brilliant than my stainless! WAY back my first car was a '38 Dodge sedan so I had to come in on your thread. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidevalvepete Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 (edited) Better pictures...... Edited February 10, 2022 by sidevalvepete 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidevalvepete Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andydodge Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 Mel........have you measured the hood to see what length of chrome strip you need?.............see my earlier reply.........andyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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