Question About 69's and 70's - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JHickson6 · 08-15-2002, 11:46 PM

My question about Chevy and GMC trucks is how do you tell 69's and 70's apart. I can identify 67's beacuse they have the sloped hood and no sidemarkers. 68 beacuse it has the sloped hood and sidemarkers. 71 and 72 chevy's have the mesh grille but as in all previous years to and including 71 have the rear view mirror attached to the headliner and the 72's are glued on to the windshield. How do you tell apart the 69/70 Chevy's and the 69/70 GMC's?

Thanks

JHickson6

too many · 08-16-2002, 12:25 AM

I dont remember for sure, but I think one year had an all black plastic grill and one was painted silver on the front edges of the plastic. Unforunately I dont remember which was which? and most of the silver paint is worn off after 30+ years!

or am I just dreaming ?? Anyone else remember????

too many · 08-16-2002, 12:28 AM

Ooooops ! that was for Chevys. dont have any clue on GMCs

cali_surfer · 08-16-2002, 12:28 AM

69 and 70 chevys have a metal band going across the grille shell. 69's had eggcrate style inner grilles, while 70's had a different style inner grille, like blocks of louvered rectangles for lack of a better term. The bodies remained the same though.

Dan69 step · 08-16-2002, 12:30 AM

J,
The only real difference that I know or have seen that comes to mind is that a true 69 grille was in the color and style of the grille. A true 69's grille was silver/gray,6 rows mesh/fin cross hatch design, (someone correct me on that if it is wrong, I've had 5 beers and am too tired to go look at my truck now). Original 70's had twelve group's of four short horizontal fins arranged with six stacks of fins spaced out above the center bar and six below it. The texture of the background changed and was a black and silver. Gm did not reproduce many originals, and a plain black insert was the standard.The gray material used for a true 69 was different also, seemed to have the gray color molded throughout, not just painted . All repros now I believe are the 70 style painted to match the year. Hope I haven't confused you.

colohusker · 08-16-2002, 12:42 AM

The only way I can tell them apart is the grille insert. A 69's looks like solid bars, kind of like this...

_________________________
_________________________
_________________________

whereas the 70's has breaks in them like this...

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

If there are other differences, I'm sure someone will let us know.

Scott

Chevyman69 · 08-16-2002, 01:02 AM

From what I have seen the 70's have there slats or whatever( the horizontal pieces in the mesh) highlighted in silver and the silver highlights are broken up like in the post above. The 69's are just a grey color with a little different pattern. It is hard to tell though most trucks now have a repo in them and they can be whatever the owner chooses. The doorpanels are different too though. 70 and 71 are the same with a woodgrain strip in them whereas 69 never had that on the more expensive models anyways.

ChevLoRay · 08-16-2002, 07:15 AM

Somebody correct me, if I am wrong, but the replacement inner grilles for the '69-70's, is the '69 style, not the '70.

I've heard and people have posted pix of both to show the differences between the two. My opinion (!) is that the only difference is the way they were painted, to create the differences that have been cited.

IF a '70 has its' original grille, AND you're aware that there are differences, AND you know what a '69 grille looks like, you can see the difference. Those differences are more pronounced in the brochures, than they are when you get an eyeball on them.

I prefer to refer to the VIN on my '69.

I believe that one more difference was the placement of that VIN.

johnnyp · 08-16-2002, 09:35 AM

I started a rather length discussion on this topic a couple of months back - check this post for all the ugly details.

HEAVY CHEVY · 08-17-2002, 10:14 PM

I see everyone is talking about the grills are different but what about the side markers?
Every 69 that I've seen the side markers are reflectors as the 70 side markers are lighted.

Longhorn Man · 08-17-2002, 10:36 PM

68 and 69 had optional side marker lights...in 70 they were standard.

Solver · 08-17-2002, 10:59 PM

here's the pic I use to explain differences

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 08-18-2002, 09:02 AM

67-8 grill trim,69-70 outer grill, 69inner grill,70 inner grill,71-2 outer and inner grill are still available from G.M. if anybody wants the real deal.

Longhorn Man · 08-18-2002, 10:28 AM

a '70 inner is still avalable??? I have always bee told they stopped making them in the 70's, and a 69 grill is an authorized G.M. replacement.

*Gee_Emm* · 08-20-2002, 01:05 AM

I have only seen the 69 inners being reprod, if you get a inner from GM you get a 69 no matter if you order a 69 or 70. As for the GMC's looking at the lugs will narrow it down a bit.

Southpa · 08-20-2002, 01:31 AM

GMC changed badges over that period. 1969 were called 910, 920 etc. 1970 they started 1500, 2500 etc.

Longhorn Man · 08-20-2002, 01:37 AM

I'll have to say your both wrong on the GMC's....
THe 70 still had 6 lug, and my '69 owners manual (right in front of me) says 1500 - 3500.

Southpa · 08-20-2002, 02:27 AM

My mistake, don't know what I was thinking. They called the 67's 910 , 920 etc.

Longhorn Man · 08-20-2002, 07:29 AM

Sorry guys, i just re-read what I wote last night up there...didn't mean to sound so rude.

*Gee_Emm* · 08-20-2002, 07:07 PM

The 910 920's is a Canadian thing. When I said about looking at the lugs for GMC's I meant it to tell 67-70's apart from 71-72's

08-15-2002, 11:46 PM	#1
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	Question About 69's and 70's My question about Chevy and GMC trucks is how do you tell 69's and 70's apart. I can identify 67's beacuse they have the sloped hood and no sidemarkers. 68 beacuse it has the sloped hood and sidemarkers. 71 and 72 chevy's have the mesh grille but as in all previous years to and including 71 have the rear view mirror attached to the headliner and the 72's are glued on to the windshield. How do you tell apart the 69/70 Chevy's and the 69/70 GMC's? Thanks JHickson6 __________________ My Rides 1967 C10 In Pieces for now 1985 Ford B700 SourPuss Bus - BIG BLUE 2003 Silverado CITY WORKER YELLOW!!

08-16-2002, 12:28 AM	#4
cali_surfer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,136	69 and 70 chevys have a metal band going across the grille shell. 69's had eggcrate style inner grilles, while 70's had a different style inner grille, like blocks of louvered rectangles for lack of a better term. The bodies remained the same though. __________________ My engine is stock... trust me ;o)

08-16-2002, 12:30 AM	#5
Dan69 step Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Fullerton,NE Posts: 380	J, The only real difference that I know or have seen that comes to mind is that a true 69 grille was in the color and style of the grille. A true 69's grille was silver/gray,6 rows mesh/fin cross hatch design, (someone correct me on that if it is wrong, I've had 5 beers and am too tired to go look at my truck now). Original 70's had twelve group's of four short horizontal fins arranged with six stacks of fins spaced out above the center bar and six below it. The texture of the background changed and was a black and silver. Gm did not reproduce many originals, and a plain black insert was the standard.The gray material used for a true 69 was different also, seemed to have the gray color molded throughout, not just painted . All repros now I believe are the 70 style painted to match the year. Hope I haven't confused you. __________________ 69 short step 68 50th Anniversary Gold/ White lwb 72 2wd Blazer 63 Studebaker Avanti 85 Avanti 66 Studebaker Cruiser 49 Studebaker pickup 3-49 Studebaker 1 1/2 truck 94 White/ GMC coe (cabin hauler) 95 chev 2015 chev Duramax 2500

08-16-2002, 12:42 AM	#6
colohusker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 436	The only way I can tell them apart is the grille insert. A 69's looks like solid bars, kind of like this... _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ whereas the 70's has breaks in them like this... ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ If there are other differences, I'm sure someone will let us know. Scott __________________ ------------------------------------------------ I say it's only money, my wife says it's only a truck.... '71 C10 Deluxe, factory ac, ps, pb, should be done by 2102 Longmont, CO husker95@hotmail.com

08-16-2002, 01:02 AM	#7
Chevyman69 Vortec 350's Suck Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Pickardville Alberta Canada Posts: 544	From what I have seen the 70's have there slats or whatever( the horizontal pieces in the mesh) highlighted in silver and the silver highlights are broken up like in the post above. The 69's are just a grey color with a little different pattern. It is hard to tell though most trucks now have a repo in them and they can be whatever the owner chooses. The doorpanels are different too though. 70 and 71 are the same with a woodgrain strip in them whereas 69 never had that on the more expensive models anyways. __________________ 69 Chev CST 10 reg cab lwb Daily Driver: 92 Chev Reg Cab LWB Silverado 4x4, K.I.A 7:51 AM 04/22/03 Will be resurrected

08-16-2002, 12:25 AM	#2
too many Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: nw IL Posts: 211	I dont remember for sure, but I think one year had an all black plastic grill and one was painted silver on the front edges of the plastic. Unforunately I dont remember which was which? and most of the silver paint is worn off after 30+ years! or am I just dreaming ?? Anyone else remember????

08-16-2002, 07:15 AM	#8
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Somebody correct me, if I am wrong, but the replacement inner grilles for the '69-70's, is the '69 style, not the '70. I've heard and people have posted pix of both to show the differences between the two. My opinion (!) is that the only difference is the way they were painted, to create the differences that have been cited. IF a '70 has its' original grille, AND you're aware that there are differences, AND you know what a '69 grille looks like, you can see the difference. Those differences are more pronounced in the brochures, than they are when you get an eyeball on them. I prefer to refer to the VIN on my '69. I believe that one more difference was the placement of that VIN. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

08-16-2002, 09:35 AM	#9
johnnyp Keepin' It Stock Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Grand Island, Nebraska, USA Posts: 554	I started a rather length discussion on this topic a couple of months back - check this post for all the ugly details. __________________ 72 Sierra Grande - Maych Forget about "do it right the first time". Do it wrong the first time to learn how, then do it right the second time.

08-17-2002, 10:14 PM	#10
HEAVY CHEVY BOWTIE FOREVER Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sanford,N.C. 23770 Posts: 273	I see everyone is talking about the grills are different but what about the side markers? Every 69 that I've seen the side markers are reflectors as the 70 side markers are lighted. __________________ 69 C-10 SHORT FLEET BED 350 4-BOLT/400 turbo upper & lower molding 65 IMPALA 2-DR 283/POWERGLIDE 66 IMPALA 2-DR hopefully 283/350 ~ CAMELTOE ROCKS ~

08-17-2002, 10:36 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	68 and 69 had optional side marker lights...in 70 they were standard.

08-17-2002, 10:59 PM	#12
Solver Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Storm Lake, Ia Posts: 1,449	here's the pic I use to explain differences Attached Images __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 LWB-Blue 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Black 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Red 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-green 1972 GMC 4x4 LWB-White 1971 Cheyenne 10 LWB-Ochre 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Copper 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Black 1969 Custom 10 LWB-lt blue 1968 GMC 3/4 ton-green 1968 1/2 ton swb stepside-silver 1967 Chevrolet CST 10 LWB-green 1967 Chevrolet custom 20 LWB-Maroon

08-18-2002, 09:02 AM	#13
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	67-8 grill trim,69-70 outer grill, 69inner grill,70 inner grill,71-2 outer and inner grill are still available from G.M. if anybody wants the real deal. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

08-18-2002, 10:28 AM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	a '70 inner is still avalable??? I have always bee told they stopped making them in the 70's, and a 69 grill is an authorized G.M. replacement.

08-20-2002, 01:05 AM	#15
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	I have only seen the 69 inners being reprod, if you get a inner from GM you get a 69 no matter if you order a 69 or 70. As for the GMC's looking at the lugs will narrow it down a bit.

08-20-2002, 01:31 AM	#16
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	GMC changed badges over that period. 1969 were called 910, 920 etc. 1970 they started 1500, 2500 etc. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.



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08-20-2002, 01:37 AM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I'll have to say your both wrong on the GMC's.... THe 70 still had 6 lug, and my '69 owners manual (right in front of me) says 1500 - 3500.

08-20-2002, 02:27 AM	#18
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	My mistake, don't know what I was thinking. They called the 67's 910 , 920 etc. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

08-20-2002, 07:29 AM	#19
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Sorry guys, i just re-read what I wote last night up there...didn't mean to sound so rude.

08-20-2002, 07:07 PM	#20
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	The 910 920's is a Canadian thing. When I said about looking at the lugs for GMC's I meant it to tell 67-70's apart from 71-72's

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