70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CG · 03-21-2020, 11:38 AM

One thing I really liked back in the 70's were the tube grills. It's definitely something you don't see much anymore. I've decided to see if I can find one, but before I go through that is there any chance you are running one? Or maybe you have a pic or two from back in the day that shows one. Just want to make sure I'm not looking into the past with rose colored glasses.

I'm only talking about actual aluminum tube grills. No square tube, and absolutely no billet. Really thinking something you could pick up back in the 70's (square may have been available, buy I have no interest in them).

Thanks for any pics or info you have hiding away on your computer!

54blackhornet · 03-21-2020, 12:43 PM

I bought this 71 K/10 with the aftermarket tube grill. Parted it because of the massive rust issues.

CG · 03-21-2020, 01:08 PM

Im not sure why but I really like those darn things. I wonder if they made it hard to open the hood?

Thanks for the pic!

mr48chev · 03-21-2020, 01:09 PM

My 71 GMC with Chevy grill that I put in it after my aunt wrecked it when she and my uncle had the truck. The grill was chrome but rusted so I sanded it down and painted it. Then one day I was out by my mail box and there was what was left of a GMC grill laying in the ditch beside the mail box I carried it back to the house took the GMC emblem out, pulled my grill out and did some trimming and instant custom grill for no extra cost. The park lights are in the bumper because the bumper I found when I repaired the wreck damage didn't have the spots for the park lights.

MacataQ · 03-21-2020, 04:02 PM

this is what was on my 72 when i bought it
Mac

CG · 03-21-2020, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacataQ

this is what was on my 72 when i bought it
Mac

Perfect example, thanks!

**Ol Blue K20** · 03-21-2020, 07:57 PM

This is the grill in my parts truck before it became a part of Blue. It's chrome steel tube. The hood latch was easy to access.

**Boog** · 03-22-2020, 05:06 AM

I put a chrome round tube grille in my 78 Chevy back then. It was made by Stuhl I believe. Are they even around today? The hood latch was accessible through the tubes. And there are remote release hood latches available for these trucks in case hand access is restricted. I have one for mine but it's a security measure.

**special-K** · 03-22-2020, 06:49 AM

It's funny. Tube grilles are a '50s thing that made it's way into the '70s again. They were big in the '50s because they were a custom grille you could make yourself. They were chrome steel and by around 1980 they started offering them in square tube. I put a round tube one on the green '71 Blazer I had because I didn't want a plastic grille on my off road machine. They do make it tight on the fingers reaching in for the hood latch handle. This is the only picture that shows it some:
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I had a short bed '78 I put a square tube grille in because it seemed right for that body style. I know it's not what you asked to see, but it does give an good example of the tube grille for perspective

**DeadheadNM** · 03-22-2020, 10:42 AM

Found XXX two:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-69-70-...cAAOSw3AFcrRyy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/68-69-70-71...MAAOSwPhpcuKkO

CG · 03-22-2020, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Found XXX two:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-69-70-...cAAOSw3AFcrRyy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/68-69-70-71...MAAOSwPhpcuKkO

I checked those out. The first one is perfect, nice NOS round tube grill. The second one is nice, but its square tube.

Im really surprised at how much they are asking for that round tube one. I would think that while its nice and NOS how many people would actually want round tube over stock?

I don't have an ebay account but I think Ill still keep an eye on it to see where it goes.

I think Id like to find an OK used version of that one and do any repairs on it myself to bring it up to snuff.

Lots of good pics and info so far ... Thanks!

**Richard** · 03-22-2020, 01:52 PM

I did put one on my first 72 a K20. Not sure I would use one now.

CG · 03-22-2020, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

I did put one on my first 72 a K20. Not sure I would use one now.

Looks good Richard ... And yes Im pretty sure most folks wouldn't want to use one these days =)

Another thing I would like (but not truck specific like the grill) is a set of the Thrush Side Pipes ... What can I say, the 70's were my formative years haha!

MacataQ · 03-22-2020, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CG

Looks good Richard ... And yes Im pretty sure most folks wouldn't want to use one these days =)

Another thing I would like (but not truck specific like the grill) is a set of the Thrush Side Pipes ... What can I say, the 70's were my formative years haha!

since we are going al retro, thought i'd add this:
this self isolation must be getting to me, LOL
Mac

AZBuckHunter · 03-22-2020, 10:36 PM

71

03-21-2020, 11:38 AM	#1
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,823	70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs One thing I really liked back in the 70's were the tube grills. It's definitely something you don't see much anymore. I've decided to see if I can find one, but before I go through that is there any chance you are running one? Or maybe you have a pic or two from back in the day that shows one. Just want to make sure I'm not looking into the past with rose colored glasses. I'm only talking about actual aluminum tube grills. No square tube, and absolutely no billet. Really thinking something you could pick up back in the 70's (square may have been available, buy I have no interest in them). Thanks for any pics or info you have hiding away on your computer! __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

03-21-2020, 12:43 PM	#2
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,303	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs I bought this 71 K/10 with the aftermarket tube grill. Parted it because of the massive rust issues. Attached Images __________________ 71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD

03-21-2020, 01:08 PM	#3
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,823	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs Im not sure why but I really like those darn things. I wonder if they made it hard to open the hood? Thanks for the pic! __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

03-21-2020, 01:09 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,416	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs My 71 GMC with Chevy grill that I put in it after my aunt wrecked it when she and my uncle had the truck. The grill was chrome but rusted so I sanded it down and painted it. Then one day I was out by my mail box and there was what was left of a GMC grill laying in the ditch beside the mail box I carried it back to the house took the GMC emblem out, pulled my grill out and did some trimming and instant custom grill for no extra cost. The park lights are in the bumper because the bumper I found when I repaired the wreck damage didn't have the spots for the park lights. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-21-2020, 04:02 PM	#5
MacataQ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: port colborne Posts: 30	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs this is what was on my 72 when i bought it Mac Attached Images

03-21-2020, 07:57 PM	#7
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,963	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs This is the grill in my parts truck before it became a part of Blue. It's chrome steel tube. The hood latch was easy to access. Attached Images __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man Last edited by Ol Blue K20; 03-22-2020 at 12:04 PM.

03-22-2020, 05:06 AM	#8
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,099	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs I put a chrome round tube grille in my 78 Chevy back then. It was made by Stuhl I believe. Are they even around today? The hood latch was accessible through the tubes. And there are remote release hood latches available for these trucks in case hand access is restricted. I have one for mine but it's a security measure. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

03-22-2020, 06:49 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs It's funny. Tube grilles are a '50s thing that made it's way into the '70s again. They were big in the '50s because they were a custom grille you could make yourself. They were chrome steel and by around 1980 they started offering them in square tube. I put a round tube one on the green '71 Blazer I had because I didn't want a plastic grille on my off road machine. They do make it tight on the fingers reaching in for the hood latch handle. This is the only picture that shows it some: I had a short bed '78 I put a square tube grille in because it seemed right for that body style. I know it's not what you asked to see, but it does give an good example of the tube grille for perspective Attached Images __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 03-22-2020 at 06:56 AM.

03-22-2020, 10:42 AM	#10
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,349	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs Found XXX two: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-69-70-...cAAOSw3AFcrRyy https://www.ebay.com/itm/68-69-70-71...MAAOSwPhpcuKkO __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland Last edited by DeadheadNM; 03-22-2020 at 10:43 AM. Reason: found another

03-22-2020, 01:52 PM	#12
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,764	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs I did put one on my first 72 a K20. Not sure I would use one now. Attached Images __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

03-22-2020, 10:36 PM	#15
AZBuckHunter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Lakeside, AZ Posts: 45	Re: 70's Style Tube Grills on 71/72 Chevs 71



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