How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

I bought a '72 outer grille and it did come in a GM box. The grille is almost too good to believe. What are the differences between a GM and a reproduction? Pics may help. Thx!

Dan

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

So you think it may be a repop? I have a couple NOS, (or so I was told when puchased), both in GM boxes as well but don't remember if I ever really found a way to confirm it.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

Not sure on this and would like to know.

All nos parts I have bought had some sort of marking, part number, or date code. Usually made in USA as well.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

I also have 1 NOS GM outer. Never had the chance to inspect a repop.

Tom

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

I was told that NOS ones will have a part number (on my 72 outer it is on the top drivers side on the flat surface that the latch bolts to) and that repop ones will not have a part number and possibly have a bar code/sticker instead of a stamped part number

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

My CDO got the best of me and I had to pull mine down and have a look...

Neither of the new ones nor my original have a part number on them. I bought mine from two different people, both came in GM boxes and both are identical.

At one time I had a NOS front bumper and there was no stamped p/n on it, just a GM sticker with the p/n, barely holding on by some ancient adhesive.

Blue/72 - can you post a pic of the part number location? no worries if not, just curious.

All in all, it's (N)ew to me, definitely (O)ld, and a (S)tock part, so I'm good with it.

Top center near latch:

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

Mine doesn't have any part number sticker either. It was purchased 10-12 years ago, maybe a little more, from the local Chevy dealer. Bought a 69/70 inner and outer at the same time. Both came in GM boxes from the GM parts warehouse.

Tom

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

Put it on the truck... seriously... I have yet to see a 69-72 repop grille fit correctly over the fenders out of the box.

Doesn't mean NOS will either... but the fit of some of the repop grilles is pretty bad.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

You need to compare apples to apples. Factory GM made replacement grilles are real tough to find, while the aftermarket parts sold as GM Restoration Parts in the 1990's and 2000's are a complete different thing.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

I agree with Redneck i have put a few NOS ones over the years and never a problem with fit

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

I wonder if anyone has compared the look and feel between a quality reproduction and OEM outer grille?

I installed an NOS, and while it came in a nice box, I don't recall a sticker. I'll have to look for that for its "annual detail" soon. Perhaps newer GM didn't have one.

The grille is exactly like my old one. Fit well, less I had to bend the grille's bottom flange a pinch on one side, to mount to the bracket, and perhaps a pinch on the flat portion next to the fender's lower front. FWW, I also shimmed the grille brackets bottoms with a flat washer each to add clearance away from the lower front fenders.

The original grille actually sat on top of the lower fender's edge:metal:

Be easier if repops were stamped:lol: OEM bumpers weren't stamped either, at least not to my knowledge, but I've seen a front and a rear chrome repop from two different places, and both were stamped. Dummies actually stamped the rear one's lower EXTERIOR, about 3/8" tall. Beautiful bumper otherwise, as heavy as OEM too. It was sold as Goodmark's top shelf ("A"). Returned as a reject.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

:metal:Dang, you guys put a lot of thought into these, I put my grill on and it fit great. Nos is nice, but I definitely don’t lose sleep over it. As long as I’m going down the road I’m happy
I am happy most of my truck is factory, definitely bolts up easily

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

nos usually have some kind of markings or stampings on them
along with some kind of reference or part number associated with them
.
as for the aftermarket , its a hit and miss with them , imo
all the ones i have worked on or the shops that dealt with restoration in using the bits n pieces or parts , have to modify them one way or another
.
its rare for them to fit with any work on them from what i have noticed

just depend(s) at what you can afford or want in putting you project together

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

Are you saying you've seen an outer GM grille(s) with a casting stamp? Can you describe where and what, picture, year(s)? To my knowledge they had a label, if anything at all. Speaking for 71-72, yeah, the inner has a part number casted, and a letter if memory is right.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

I have two of these GM outer grilles with the same part number as the one in this picture.
I bought them from my GM dealer in the 90’s.
The black around the headlight bezel area is painted wrong.
Not sure if there’s a label on them without getting mine out of storage.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

I would not call that the gospel, but I hear you and agree that's not how they should have looked from the factory. There are so many oddities with our trucks straight from the factory...and I recall if one were to order a 1971 grill even a couple years later, you'd get the 1972 grill lacking the raccoon one inch stripe all the way around the outer frame.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

There are no stampings on NOS GM grille shells. Easy way to tell the repro is they are very easy to bend. I bought a repro for my 1972 Cheyenne Super, and it fit very well, but the aluminum is too malleable. The OEM is stiff.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

The Goodmark "A" bumpers were, at one time, GM bumper cores that had been rechromed. I have one on my '70 that came from Rock Auto several years ago. I don't recall seeing a part number stamped into it.

Re: How to tell the difference between NOS and reproduction grille
 

They are a biatch to get now too. I wanted them for my Blazer, but nobody has them anywhere.