Just curious...

[cory d]

oil crisis and no high zink primer intil 76. i have noticed that most squares are 77+. no one knows my 73-73 chevy and gmc grilles

[Keith Seymore]

Sorry for the delay (...geez - it took me a half hour to read all the responses)

Originally Posted by cory d

no high zink primer...

I think it's a combination of things, but mostly this.

I don't know that there was (intentionally) any thought of using any kind of inferior metal. Keep in mind this truck was designed in the late 60's/early 70's and that is simply where the technology was at the time.

I remember trucks around here where the fenders were totally gone and only the B96 wheel opening moldings flopping around in space (lol). But - the later trucks are essentially the same design, but with the addition of ELPO primer and improved draining, and coated metals. Many small, incremental improvements can make a world of difference.

Add to that fact that the '81 and up trucks are simply newer (...thank you Yogi Berra) and that the production volumes continued to ramp up through the product lifecycle and I think you can explain the perception proposed here.

K