2 of the same style 60's grilles, one alum.-one steel?

[Slowtruk]

Hey guys, I was trying to figure out a mystery here...The apache I bought came originally with an alumum grill, but was messed up, so the PO found and purchased another grille, supposedly aluminum, but I got to looking today and it is definetely not aluminum. It has to be steel, I took a fine wire wheel to it and took off 2 coats of paint.

I didnt know they made a steel grill like this? The "CHEVROLET" inset is aluminum on both however...

Is this steel grill still worth as much as an aluminum? I had it listed in the classifieds for $300 shipped but not sure now. This would either have to be chromed or painted.

ANyone have any idea of where this steel grill came from?

[62 Longbed]

You have 2 -1961 Grills , The Alum grill would be worth more and harder to find ... The steel grill is more available Im sure than the Alum. but after 50 years still a little difficult to find ... For the centers I believe Alum had Alum , and the steel had the steel centers ... I've seen them from $60.00 to $165.00 for the steel .. But you never know .. I purchased a 1960 Steel .. You can see the difference since the CHEVROLET letters are at the bottom of the grill and not the center ... The letters are hard to notice , but will be done in Black by the end of the week .. Good Luck .. I'm sure someone else might be able to clarify more ...

[McCoyAZ]

Considering that on Ebay and on Craigslist they are selling between 150 to 250 I would say 300 is a bit steep.

[Corts60]

I am pretty that all of the trucks that left the factory with painted grilles and bumpers had the steel grilles installed. I'm pretty sure aluminum was and is more expensive than steel so if they were going to be painted, they were just made from steel. The aluminum ones were probably considered a "bright metal" option when you ordered the truck and you probably got chrome bumpers and trim as well.

Just a thought.

[61burban]

I have a 61 with a factory steel grill and alum insert in it. over the years i have ran across 15 or 20 others in junk yards all with steel grills and alum inserts. almost every one i have found was rotted out in the bottom of the head light buckets and across the bottom. the insert is usually damaged. I was told the alum grill was a option but i have never found aything in print to support that.

[1963c-10]

I ran into the same thing with my 63, but had a steel grill originally. The steel grill was in bad shape having spent 48 years on the east coast. I have found and am currently refabing the aluminum grill ( which wont rust...yea). I plan to polish it out once I remove the anodizing.

[Slowtruk]

Thanks for the info guys. I think yall are correct. they were on trucks with painted bumpers...because this grill has a layer of white paint under the silver.

Heres a steel one that is missing bezels and the chevrolet insert for $150 plus $65 shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/61-1961-Chev...item2c60770147

[aerotruk63]

1963 Chevrolet Truck Data Book.

[McCoyAZ]

If a guy wants a complete 60-61 front grill I know a wrecking yard down in Phoenix that has a metal one, complete with insert and bezels in excellent condition for $250.

[Slowtruk]

Mine is complete in excellent condition for $200 plus shipping. Includes bezels, insert, and I've even got headlights and a harness.
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[Corts60]

Hey guys, we need to be careful not to turn this into a for sale thread. It will get shut down by the mods. Be mindful of the rules and PM the person directly.

[Slowtruk]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Hey guys, we need to be careful not to turn this into a for sale thread. It will get shut down by the mods. Be mindful of the rules and PM the person directly.

I have a for sale thread on this grill and a hood. Just wanted to let McCoy know that

[McCoyAZ]

Oooopps. Sorry.