’67 Front Valance Mod

CanyonCarver515 · Mar 13, 2009

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>

68EFIvert · Mar 13, 2009

I think that looks great. How many mounting points are left on the top?

CanyonCarver515 · Mar 13, 2009

Two out of four screws are left. I lost the two innermost mounting points as I cut off the sheetmetal.

It is plenty strong though and not moving at all.

Bullitt · Mar 14, 2009

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?

CanyonCarver515 · Mar 14, 2009

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.

other_shoe · Mar 14, 2009

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?

CanyonCarver515 · Mar 14, 2009

I already am running a tranny oil cooler that's trapped to the radiator. Maybe it would be smart to relocate it in the path of the new opening.

Good point you're making there... I will have to look into it.

wicked93gs · Mar 14, 2009

came out looking good...I plan on a similar mod on my '66 but with a wider opening down low to match better with the upper grill, yours came out very professional looking

Bullitt · Mar 15, 2009

Thanks for the how-to!

Blue Oval Man · Mar 16, 2009

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.

2+2GT · May 23, 2009

Something like this?

zookeeper · May 23, 2009

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.

RollinOut · May 24, 2009

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

RollinOut · May 24, 2009

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

CraigMBA · May 24, 2009

CanyonCarver515 said:
By the way the police is enforcing having a front plate now.

Not to hyjack this, but it seems like front plate enforcement comes and goes in fits. I haven't had a front plate since 1987 on anything I own. My wife got a parking ticket in Culver City - not for being illegally parked, but for having no front tag. Ohwell.

Rusty67 · May 24, 2009

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 ?

RollinOut · May 24, 2009

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.

jlangholzj · May 24, 2009

in MN we got legislation passed so that anything 68 and old doesn't need the front license plate...we can also have blue-dot tailights too

micow · Jan 10, 2019

Here's my modded valances.

Rusty67 · Jan 10, 2019

Wow, very nice. Looks clean.

’67 Front Valance Mod

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