73 Grill Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

setelec 73 · 05-10-2009, 11:59 PM

I am planning on trying to restore my 1973 grill myself and am curious on the way I should go about it. Maybe some of you would be willing to post some pics of your original grills. Also my bowtie emblem is faded to solid chrome or metal? It appears that it is a decal rather than fixed with screws. Might anyone know where I can grab a new one with some color? I assume that it originally had some gold to it?? As always your help is greatly appreciated!!!
This place is filled with great people!

88 Dippy · 05-11-2009, 12:09 AM

here is a pic of my 74 same as a 73. i also have a close up of the cubic inch the had cast in to the grill plastic

*78 Chevyrado* · 05-11-2009, 12:10 AM

The emblem was hot-glued onto the grille. Here's a pic of the color scheme. This is on a 78 grille and while the bowties are shaped a bit different, this pic shows how the color was done, both yellow/gold and black stripe. This is an NOS grille.

setelec 73 · 05-11-2009, 12:13 AM

Thanks Guys... Any ideas on restoring the plastic? also how about getting a new emblem to glue on??

*78 Chevyrado* · 05-11-2009, 12:46 AM

I've never heard of just the stamped emblem for sale alone, I think they only came with a grille. I saw somewhere in a recent thread somewhere, someone had that same grille as you and just painted the whole metal part of the emblem yellow/gold. I think it looked good. As far as the grille just scuff up the surface and get a good primer for it and then paint whatever color you want. if it's pitted use some glazing on it and then prime it up.

88 Dippy · 05-11-2009, 02:26 AM

they emblm i guess ebay or craigslist. my self i plant to just paint where the emblem is sapose to go

79gmcc15 · 05-11-2009, 02:30 AM

I think LMC has emblems. ya should check out http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?page=84

jchav62 · 05-11-2009, 09:30 AM

No one re-pops the grille emblem for 73-74 grilles.

My grille is the "chrome" one. I used WD-40 to clean up the grey areas and chrome polish for the chrome edges. I also repainted the "350" emblem...

S10Fan · 05-11-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchav62

I used WD-40 to clean up the grey

Spray it on, wipe it off? Looks good!

jchav62 · 05-11-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S10Fan

Spray it on, wipe it off? Looks good!

Thanks! I just sprayed it on a rag and wiped it down.

setelec 73 · 05-11-2009, 06:55 PM

So am I hearing that the original bowtie could have been chrome???

Damien · 05-11-2009, 07:03 PM

Bigblock73 has a NOS '73 grille in his truck. If you search for his pics or ask him for pics, he could be a great reference.

bigblock73 · 05-11-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Bigblock73 has a NOS '73 grille in his truck. If you search for his pics or ask him for pics, he could be a great reference.

SO now I have to take a pic of it...thanks!

I will try to get a pic of mine when I get it out of the garage. It is a NOS 73/74 grill I picked up a few years ago for...$65! Yeah!

I just saw a NOS 73/74 sticker sell on eBay for over $100.

The original bowties were not chrome...they had some chrome on them, but they were more of a yellow/gold. 73/74 grills came either plain grey, or grey with chrome edges.

454HO · 05-11-2009, 11:04 PM

Here is a pic of one I bought from another member here.

setelec 73 · 05-11-2009, 11:48 PM

Wow that is a sweet one. Do you all think I should post a wanted ad? I sure would like to have some color in my bowtie. And it sounds that I cant buy a replacement.

BIG10 · 05-11-2009, 11:53 PM

This is a 76 grille that I painted recently. Like the NOS bowtie that Kenny posted above, it was a bright yellow rather than gold. I found the closest color I could find. It's called "bumble bee" by Valspar (rattle can from Lowe's). It's not restoration quality by any means, but with a good primer, filler and sealer, it's a decent 10 footer.

Damien · 05-12-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigblock73

SO now I have to take a pic of it...thanks!

I will try to get a pic of mine when I get it out of the garage. It is a NOS 73/74 grill I picked up a few years ago for...$65! Yeah!

I just saw a NOS 73/74 sticker sell on eBay for over $100.

The original bowties were not chrome...they had some chrome on them, but they were more of a yellow/gold. 73/74 grills came either plain grey, or grey with chrome edges.

Sorry Jeff

05-10-2009, 11:59 PM	#1
setelec 73 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 78	73 Grill Questions I am planning on trying to restore my 1973 grill myself and am curious on the way I should go about it. Maybe some of you would be willing to post some pics of your original grills. Also my bowtie emblem is faded to solid chrome or metal? It appears that it is a decal rather than fixed with screws. Might anyone know where I can grab a new one with some color? I assume that it originally had some gold to it?? As always your help is greatly appreciated!!! This place is filled with great people! __________________ 1973 3/4 Ton Chevy 454 1990 Ford Ranger 4.0 2002 Cadillac Deville

05-11-2009, 12:09 AM	#2
88 Dippy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: mt. Pleasant, MI Posts: 246	Re: 73 Grill Questions here is a pic of my 74 same as a 73. i also have a close up of the cubic inch the had cast in to the grill plastic Attached Images __________________ 1974 chevy Cheyenne C10 "The Mutt":4x4 convertion, NP208, 700-R4, stock 350, edelbrock Torker intake, edelbrock 600 CFM carb, duels 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT: 3.8L supercharged, 9.2:1 comprestion, ZZP XP cam, home made intake, 2 1/2" exhuast, 10psi of boost

05-11-2009, 12:10 AM	#3
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	Re: 73 Grill Questions The emblem was hot-glued onto the grille. Here's a pic of the color scheme. This is on a 78 grille and while the bowties are shaped a bit different, this pic shows how the color was done, both yellow/gold and black stripe. This is an NOS grille.

05-11-2009, 12:13 AM	#4
setelec 73 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 78	Re: 73 Grill Questions Thanks Guys... Any ideas on restoring the plastic? also how about getting a new emblem to glue on?? __________________ 1973 3/4 Ton Chevy 454 1990 Ford Ranger 4.0 2002 Cadillac Deville

05-11-2009, 12:46 AM	#5
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	Re: 73 Grill Questions I've never heard of just the stamped emblem for sale alone, I think they only came with a grille. I saw somewhere in a recent thread somewhere, someone had that same grille as you and just painted the whole metal part of the emblem yellow/gold. I think it looked good. As far as the grille just scuff up the surface and get a good primer for it and then paint whatever color you want. if it's pitted use some glazing on it and then prime it up.

05-11-2009, 02:26 AM	#6
88 Dippy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: mt. Pleasant, MI Posts: 246	Re: 73 Grill Questions they emblm i guess ebay or craigslist. my self i plant to just paint where the emblem is sapose to go __________________ 1974 chevy Cheyenne C10 "The Mutt":4x4 convertion, NP208, 700-R4, stock 350, edelbrock Torker intake, edelbrock 600 CFM carb, duels 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT: 3.8L supercharged, 9.2:1 comprestion, ZZP XP cam, home made intake, 2 1/2" exhuast, 10psi of boost

05-11-2009, 02:30 AM	#7
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: 73 Grill Questions I think LMC has emblems. ya should check out http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?page=84 __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby Last edited by 79gmcc15; 05-11-2009 at 02:33 AM.

05-11-2009, 09:30 AM	#8
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: 73 Grill Questions No one re-pops the grille emblem for 73-74 grilles. My grille is the "chrome" one. I used WD-40 to clean up the grey areas and chrome polish for the chrome edges. I also repainted the "350" emblem... Attached Images __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

05-11-2009, 06:55 PM	#11
setelec 73 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 78	Re: 73 Grill Questions So am I hearing that the original bowtie could have been chrome??? __________________ 1973 3/4 Ton Chevy 454 1990 Ford Ranger 4.0 2002 Cadillac Deville

05-11-2009, 07:03 PM	#12
Damien Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Farmington, MN Posts: 928	Re: 73 Grill Questions Bigblock73 has a NOS '73 grille in his truck. If you search for his pics or ask him for pics, he could be a great reference. __________________ I can still count my vehicles on two... wait three hands.

05-11-2009, 11:04 PM	#14
454HO Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,224	Re: 73 Grill Questions Here is a pic of one I bought from another member here. Attached Images __________________ - Greg

05-11-2009, 11:48 PM	#15
setelec 73 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 78	Re: 73 Grill Questions Wow that is a sweet one. Do you all think I should post a wanted ad? I sure would like to have some color in my bowtie. And it sounds that I cant buy a replacement. __________________ 1973 3/4 Ton Chevy 454 1990 Ford Ranger 4.0 2002 Cadillac Deville

05-11-2009, 11:53 PM	#16
BIG10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 314	Re: 73 Grill Questions This is a 76 grille that I painted recently. Like the NOS bowtie that Kenny posted above, it was a bright yellow rather than gold. I found the closest color I could find. It's called "bumble bee" by Valspar (rattle can from Lowe's). It's not restoration quality by any means, but with a good primer, filler and sealer, it's a decent 10 footer. Attached Images __________________ Jay 1978 Big 10 Silverado, 355 + 700R4 + 3.42 + factory tach + A/C + dual tanks + working cruise control = awesome highway cruiser.

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