FYI: 1970 and 1971 NOS grilles on eBay

[davepl]

For Chev. $899 each. Just in case anyone's looking for one.

[Spartan]

I have seen grills come up from time to time.
Thanks for posting that up.
I just can't pull the trigger. The die change from factory to nos kills it for me style wise for some reason.
Cheers
Nim

[davepl]

Spartan, are you saying that (like door handles and dash bezels) the run of post-production NOS grilles is different than the ones on the trucks originally?

Is it from the dies wearing out, or a different stamping entirely?

[cericd]

Hey davepl, a while back I was looking to purchase an original style 69-70 grille. After a lot of searching I found that these were only seen on trucks that had never had a replacement grille installed (even from a Chevrolet parts dept in 1969 or 1970). Most people arent' aware of the differences and some that are would prefer to have a brand new replacement even though the stamping is different from the original. There are several picturesthat show the slight differences in my original post located here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=599149.

[JointTech]

lol so did you end up getting one of them? Curious minds want to know.

[cericd]

Yep I found one and it was in pretty nice shape. But as with most things in life, I'd buy another if the price and condition were right. I'm one of those crazy people who prefers the grill to be the one that these truck originally left the factory with.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by cericd

Hey davepl, a while back I was looking to purchase an original style 69-70 grille. After a lot of searching I found that these were only seen on trucks that had never had a replacement grille installed (even from a Chevrolet parts dept in 1969 or 1970). Most people arent' aware of the differences and some that are would prefer to have a brand new replacement even though the stamping is different from the original. There are several picturesthat show the slight differences in my original post located here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=599149.

True.

My 1969 was repaired in 1972 after I was hit in the front. The work order, dated 5-30-72, shows grille part number 3985054 ($39.45!). If you Google that number it still comes up as the current GM grille number. As can be seen in the pictures in your link, not only are the horizontal depressions across the center bar not embossed to the headlights, the adjacent horizontal raised areas are incorrectly painted black resulting in the two black painted horizontal lines being double the original width from side to side. Also, note that the entire area outboard from the headlights between the grooves is incorrectly painted black. The originals were only painted in the depressions.

I vividly remember removing all the excess black paint, which I found more offensive than the embossing difference, the same day as I brought the truck home from the body shop.

All service replacements from GM appear to have been that way since at least May, 1972.

[cericd]

Thanks for the added info FirstOwner69. What did you use to remove the paint without damaging the clear anodization on the grille?

[Steeveedee]

My father in law used to own my truck, and put in a '72 grille, which he chopped up to put in marker/parking lights. I'd love to have a factory original, (doesn't even have to be an NOS grille), to replace that monstrosity. But I'll probably end up making my own custom grille, because I can't stand Chinesium.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by cericd

Thanks for the added info FirstOwner69. What did you use to remove the paint without damaging the clear anodization on the grille?

I think I used a rag just slightly dampened with lacquer thinner. However, when I tried it on the new grille I installed a couple years ago, it curdled the paint, and I had to repaint it. Next time I'd try a less volatile solvent. Not much will mess with anodized aluminum. Except oven cleaner (sodium or potassium hydroxide aka. lye) and hard objects.

Also played with the idea of extending the lines as on drivers side in this picture. Just used electrical tape there to see the effect.

[cericd]

Thanks again FirstOwner 69. Beautiful truck you have there. I've saved several pictures of it from the forum. Love that color!

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by cericd

Thanks again FirstOwner 69. Beautiful truck you have there. I've saved several pictures of it from the forum. Love that color!

Thanks!

[Spartan]

Davepl- yes. This is why this site is so cool. It's in the details

[Spartan]

Also thanks to cericd and firstowner for chiming in. I'm a sporadic competed user.