TBN Grill Medallion Poll

[K.P.]

Better stick ThunderbirdNest.com on the upper porthole. Engraved, please.

[TATDC]

Ok I talked to one company today and he can only do an open design and text may be possible. He suggested going through a company that casts. They can be done in metal or plastic. He gave a lead and I will check on it as well as Bob Moss'.

Oh, here's another I played with:

[TATDC]

Wow that came out big, sorry.

[Bruce]

I'm still worried that protruding wings will lead to breaking or grill damage when washing and drying the Bird.
But I like the concept!

[LuvHisBird]

Todd,

I must say you have perseverance............Hang in there, it is looking great!!

[TATDC]

Bruce I really don't think it should be a problem for the grill or emblem. From what I have been finding out is that these will need to be casted, in metal or plastic, and so a bend to match the grill should be possible I would think. Also around the grill I take my time to get into and between the "holes", not like on the body of teh car. I think the grill is pretty sturdy, tried to pull on it to get it off to see about installing possibilities of the medallion/badge. Did not budge, then came across the clips all around lip od grill, so I don't think we will need to worry.

[Bruce]

Understood! As I think about it longer being a little more careful with sponges and towels is not a big deal around the grill in order to have a state-of-art medallion.
Nice work Todd, its very nice looking. Can we get a red background?
Only kiddin', we've been there and done that earlier in the thread.

[O3 TBIRD]

Post #208, I almost fell out of my chair when I read this post.
"KarylP open design, ABOUT EIGHT INCHES, mounted to the front of the hood on a spring." What are you building? I went out and looked at my grill, I did not measure it but it looks less than 8". From what you wrote the only thing that came to my mind was to put this thing on the hood--sort of like putting bull horns up there.

[Proboxfan]

Die-Cast

Are most people thinking that the grill medallion is going to be die-cast?

If so, then I think Karyl P.'s design with the wings will still work.

Making the dies could be costly and difficult, however.

[K.P.]

We will be getting our grill medallion from the Tarheel Classic Thunderbird Club at the January meeting. We will post a picture of it on our car when we get it. According to Bill Wright ('57TBird' here on TBN and 2004 TCTC newsletter editor) it is CAST METAL, silver with a black enamel background. The latest newsletter states that they have been modified to fit the grills of the "new" Thunderbirds as well as the old. It will be very interesting to see. We have the name of the member of that club that worked on the project. If this one looks as good as I think it will, we may want to contact him to see who he got to manufacture them. The cost was $20 each. I don't know if cost was related to number made.
I still think use of TBN is very appropriate. It simplifies the design, and I don't really think anybody is going to confuse it with any of those other "TBN's" because it will not only have TBird wings on the emblem itself, but will also be ON a Tbird. Many other car clubs just use initials on their emblems.
This could also be embroidered on hats, shirts, etc.


I like your latest rendition, TATDC. The porthole and wings look really good. It could also be black enamel background. What if you put the TBN logo at the very bottom, just inside the black part, curving with the arc of the porthole, and put ThunderbirdNest.com just under the upper arc (again in the black part) in smaller script on one line only. It might balance the design. It needs something up top in that black part. Could you try that, please?
I appreciate, as I'm sure we all do, your hard work on this!

[JerryP]

Don't forget that the bird wing emblem can sit on a solid casting such that the tips will be solid and extend back to the grill face. Lettering can be raised letters cast in the material. The background color could be painted/filled with enamel. Doing it in this manner would present no sharp edges to snag. If we leave the wing tips free, then I would assume they could be broken.

[DrtiBird]

Why not keep the bird's wings (and bird) small enough that the wings stay inside the porthole? That would also eliminate the sharp edges.

[TATDC]

KarylP, ask and ye shall receive!

[TATDC]

Oh by the way this design was done by using a Bird emblem on the nose of the T-bird and sticking it with clay to the actual port hole. Then just took a digipic and just added text. That is why it is so clear and crisp edges. Picked up the Bird on E-bay!

[TATDC]

I few sites I check state a set up fee from $150 to $250. I have not been able to talk to any one yet to find out costs. So far with 72 yes votes and average of $ 20/medallion that brings total to $24 rounded up. I don't think that is a bad price. Then hopefully with a higher quantity price can drop!