1955 Front grill question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Razor454 · 08-08-2004, 09:09 PM

I have a 1955 1st series and I am looking to chrome the front grill or get a replacement one. I was wondering can a grill with rust pits be fixed and then chrome plated??
If not is there a company that makes a reproduction of this kind of grill? So far I have been un-successful in finding a company that makes the whole grill (I’ve only been able to find a reproduction of the middle section).

horvath · 08-08-2004, 09:48 PM

I've never seen any repro's ... and would rather not go that route -- they're never as nice as original stuff.

I'm pretty sure your grill can be cleaned up and chromed. Just make sure you have a reputable place do it -- don't go by price, go by reputation. There's nothing more upsetting than a bad chrome job, eh?

Razor454 · 08-08-2004, 10:04 PM

Yeah, I would rather chrome the one I have, nothing like having an original...

If the grill has some dents/ pits can those be fixed and chromed??

Thanks

horvath · 08-09-2004, 12:33 AM

I'm pretty sure everything can be cleaned up and chromed -- no problem.

Talk to someone at a body shop!

Heatwave · 08-12-2004, 11:48 AM

If the pits are deap you would have to have them filled in with a weld they usually use a braze to fill the pits and then grind them smooth. But I believe it can be done.

Razor454 · 08-12-2004, 07:10 PM

Thanks guys for your help. This will give me an idea of whether or not I need to find a new grill.

gregbr · 08-13-2004, 05:58 AM

There are no reproduction grilles, only the center nose piece. You can get a rechromed one at most swap meets, you will have to exchange your old one. Take about $700 with you!!!

solidaxel · 08-27-2004, 11:38 AM

That grill is cherry!! Call the local chrome shops and get it in there!!

Heatwave · 08-27-2004, 11:44 AM

Here's a picture of my 55 1st series with a painted grill.

Heatwave · 08-27-2004, 11:46 AM

Here's a pic of a 54 with a chrome grill. This truck was at the same show last weekend!

Heatwave · 08-27-2004, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solidaxel

That grill is cherry!! Call the local chrome shops and get it in there!!

The hood fits different on this truck? What year is it? Or is it custom? Oh I looked again..It's a GMC correct?

horvath · 08-27-2004, 12:53 PM

It's a hard call to make ... I mean, chromed grills are nice, but I tend to like the look better when they're painted!

solidaxel · 08-27-2004, 09:18 PM

Yes Heatwave it's GMC 1st series, I was just envious as his grill was so nice and could be saved and chromed or wet painted. I have a long way to go on my frontend before its is finished

08-08-2004, 09:09 PM	#1
Razor454 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Stokesdale, North Carolina Posts: 341	1955 Front grill question I have a 1955 1st series and I am looking to chrome the front grill or get a replacement one. I was wondering can a grill with rust pits be fixed and then chrome plated?? If not is there a company that makes a reproduction of this kind of grill? So far I have been un-successful in finding a company that makes the whole grill (I’ve only been able to find a reproduction of the middle section). Attached Images __________________ 1967 SwB, 454 BB, 4L80E trans, 3.73 eaton posi 1997 C2500 Ext Cab 5.7 Liter 1955 3/4 ton 1st series w/ 235 straight six Sold it

08-08-2004, 09:48 PM	#2
horvath Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey Posts: 128	I've never seen any repro's ... and would rather not go that route -- they're never as nice as original stuff. I'm pretty sure your grill can be cleaned up and chromed. Just make sure you have a reputable place do it -- don't go by price, go by reputation. There's nothing more upsetting than a bad chrome job, eh? __________________ Alan Horvath 54 Chevy Pickup

08-08-2004, 10:04 PM	#3
Razor454 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Stokesdale, North Carolina Posts: 341	Yeah, I would rather chrome the one I have, nothing like having an original... If the grill has some dents/ pits can those be fixed and chromed?? Thanks __________________ 1967 SwB, 454 BB, 4L80E trans, 3.73 eaton posi 1997 C2500 Ext Cab 5.7 Liter 1955 3/4 ton 1st series w/ 235 straight six Sold it Last edited by Razor454; 08-09-2004 at 08:28 PM.

08-09-2004, 12:33 AM	#4
horvath Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey Posts: 128	I'm pretty sure everything can be cleaned up and chromed -- no problem. Talk to someone at a body shop! __________________ Alan Horvath 54 Chevy Pickup

08-12-2004, 11:48 AM	#5
Heatwave Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sanger, Texas Posts: 132	If the pits are deap you would have to have them filled in with a weld they usually use a braze to fill the pits and then grind them smooth. But I believe it can be done. __________________ 1955 Chevy Series 1

08-12-2004, 07:10 PM	#6
Razor454 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Stokesdale, North Carolina Posts: 341	Thanks guys for your help. This will give me an idea of whether or not I need to find a new grill. __________________ 1967 SwB, 454 BB, 4L80E trans, 3.73 eaton posi 1997 C2500 Ext Cab 5.7 Liter 1955 3/4 ton 1st series w/ 235 straight six Sold it

08-13-2004, 05:58 AM	#7
gregbr Senoir Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rock Hill, SC USA Posts: 1,214	There are no reproduction grilles, only the center nose piece. You can get a rechromed one at most swap meets, you will have to exchange your old one. Take about $700 with you!!! __________________ 67 Chevy, Small back glass, Factory 4WD, Factory Shortbed, Factory V8, Lifted 4" 70 GMC Sierra Grande, Factory Shortbed, Factory 402/400 turbo, Super Custom Interior. Numbers matching with SPID & Build Sheet. 68K Original Miles. Restored 2010 70 GMC Restoration Pictures http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...00&ppuser=4424

08-27-2004, 11:38 AM	#8
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	That grill is cherry!! Call the local chrome shops and get it in there!! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42 Last edited by solidaxel; 06-26-2006 at 03:56 PM.

08-27-2004, 11:44 AM	#9
Heatwave Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sanger, Texas Posts: 132	Here's a picture of my 55 1st series with a painted grill. Attached Images __________________ 1955 Chevy Series 1

08-27-2004, 11:46 AM	#10
Heatwave Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sanger, Texas Posts: 132	Here's a pic of a 54 with a chrome grill. This truck was at the same show last weekend! Attached Images __________________ 1955 Chevy Series 1

08-27-2004, 12:53 PM	#12
horvath Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey Posts: 128	It's a hard call to make ... I mean, chromed grills are nice, but I tend to like the look better when they're painted! __________________ Alan Horvath 54 Chevy Pickup

08-27-2004, 09:18 PM	#13
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Yes Heatwave it's GMC 1st series, I was just envious as his grill was so nice and could be saved and chromed or wet painted. I have a long way to go on my frontend before its is finished __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42



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