69-70 GM grill not repop ?

[rkintn_68]

Has anyone bought one of these ? They claim not repop..

Wat you think ? Wat is the difference in this one and a NOS ?

http://www.classicparts.com/1969-70-...ctinfo/61-046/

[DaHos]

Interesting quote...."These are not reproductions. Ours are made in the original factory tooling and molds. "

Hmmmmmm??????

[jocko]

sounds and looks bogus to me. Although there has been some discussion on here about the grilles that don't look like originals perhaps being produced as NOS after the production year as a replacement part. But I can't figure out why they'd change the look in post-year parts production.

The difference between the above and those put on 69/70's new is the area just outboard of the turn signals. The hirizontal lines do not ocntinue to the headlights like the ones on original trucks. See pics below for comparison.

Dont' get me wrong, it looks very nice. I doubt the claim though. Aftermarket you buy from the various vendors look just like what you post. 1st pic is original - 2nd pic matches yours (look only at the outer grille, he obviously has a custom inner grille). Notice how the green truck has a vertical black bar right next to the tirn signal instead of the 2 horizontal barts continuing to the headlight bucket.

Not saying it's NOT original - but I personally don't think it is. If I were to pay a good sum of $ for an original, I'd want it to look like the one on the left personally. That's just me. They both look very nice. If you search on here, there is an interesting thread about this very topic, and then you can decide for yourself.

[Dano69c10]

Original type that came on 69-70 trucks:




Original replacement type for 69-70 trucks:

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Dano69c10

Original type that came on 69-70 trucks:




Original replacement type for 69-70 trucks:

I agree.

My 69 was hit in the front in 1972. The GM dealer doing the repairs used a grille like your second picture. I can look at the repair order, but I'm 99% sure it was a GM part. I spent a few hours removing some of the black paint so it would look more like the original. I removed the excess paint on the raised horizontal portions of the center bar (should be in recessed areas only) and at the ends. Your first picture is what the truck originally had. The inner grille replacement was the 1970 style. I've also painted it to look like the original 69 inner.

There was also some discussion on the forum at least a year ago that suggested some or all 70s had grilles that did not have the bars all the way to the headlight openings.

Here's a picture of that grille today.

[jocko]

So, just for clarification - is a GM part that was not like the originals (but still made by GM) considered NOS? I'd have to say yes, and then that would mean that grilles like #2 are valid NOS - IF they were produced by GM (my 2 cents). But, it would be a giveaway that the the grille was replaced at some point. that's all. Not original design either - but yes, a valid NOS GM part.

As for the op note about classic parts claim, I'm still a little wary of the claim by an aftermarket mfgr of "these are not reproductions." Clearly they are, just very faithful ones. So, in my mind, being made with GM molds does not = NOS if they were produced last week by classic parts. In my mind, it's a repop of a later-year replacement part, a very exactly correct one, and that's a great thing, I am glad they are doing it. However, the statement "These are not reproductions. Ours are made in the original factory tooling and molds" contradicts itself. They are re-popping them, with original molds. But that makes it a very correct reproduciton, not NOS.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents. And personally, if I needed a 69-70 grille, I'd buy this one in a heartbeat, you probably won't find anything better from another vendor if classic has original gm molds. Fun to split hairs, isn't it?? Ha..

EDIT: btw, firstowner - i think the black paint removal you chose to do was a great idea. Requires a triple take now to spot the differences. Looks real nice.

[70STOVEBOLT]

So were 69 and 70 outer grilles the same originally? My truck has one like the 2nd pic and it has been replaced. I have another "NOS" one that is just like it.

[SS Tim]

Gotta love the whole NOS tag line. It sells stuff for more money. All the parts sold by GM are service replacment parts. Often these are the same as production parts. But the fact is most of the parts are sold for fit and function first. Many of the parts are not made by the inital line production contractors either. This is especially true of later (post production run) repair parts. Also a production change of the part will go into the system as a repair part. So a '72 part used in '73 with a slight change but still works for a '72 will become the service repair part. However when it is all dusty from sitting someone will dig it out and call it NOS and price it for the best market.

To me a NOS part is going to date code August '72 or earlier. Anything later is a repair part that may or may not look of fit as original production. Even earlier parts will show changes and variation though.

If someone is producing a part off of the original tooling and drawings it is a replacement part. By definition it cannot be oldstock if it was made last week. However it could very well be an exact reproduction, then the question is at what point is it reproducing. Production "as initally built" or last service part change?

[rkintn_68]

so is this an original replacement ?

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by rkintn_68

so is this an original replacement ?

It appears to be the same as the 1972 service replacement part the FirstOwner69 had installed on his truck in 1972.

Is that the original box under it? Any markings, tags, stickers on the part or the box?

[rkintn_68]

it has the one place on box ...

[rkintn_68]

sorry here is box marked on one end ...

[rkintn_68]

Thanks SS TIM and JOCKO , very informative !!!!

[SS Tim]

Thanks for the picture. But I was hoping for an end flap with part numbers and such to see if there is any useful data there. As for forgetting the picture. If you get back to your post inside half an hour you can edit to add/change pictures or text. Use "edit" button then "go advanced" to add a picture into an open post.

[rkintn_68]

box does not have any stickers part numbers , stamps , nothing ...
anyway pretty sure now it is considered a nos reproduction 72 like
you said ... thanks ...

[BAT]

Here is a pick of mine and the label that was on the box. Box was GM and was shipped to a dealer. Interesting that there are 2 different types. Could one be '69 and one '70?

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by jocko

...But I can't figure out why they'd change the look in post-year parts production...

This is a very good point and one someone with the parts could check. The grill ends may have been changed for a number of reasons. Two that come to mind are that the part had a high rejection rate as originally made or it it was flattened to allow the later 71-72 headlight doors to fit better. IIRC there were changes from steel to aluminum on these just not sure when.

[BAT]

Just looked at pics of what originally came on my '70 and it looks just like my NOS one.

[SS Tim]

Here are some clips from the 79 edition of the parts manual showing a suppersession on the 69-70 grills.