advice on grille purchase

[JWSmith]

So, I have stumbled across an original grille, and I have been looking for a replacement since mine is totally shot. Guy wants $300 - says it is in very good shape with a small dent on the driver side bottom. I haven't seen it in person yet though. I know new ones are $500+ for just the outer - but I don't know about the quality of a new one from say, LMC, vs. one of these originals.
Everything is negotiable, but I am unsure what I might counter-offer, or if the $300 is indeed reasonable, and I should just go for it.

Thoughts?
Also, can these older grilles be cleaned/freshened up and if so, how? Just some polish and elbow grease, or is there some extensive process?

[88Stanger]

If it were me I would ask for pics of the dent. They are made of aluminum and you can slowly and carefully remove dents from them, re-polish and there you go. They are stupid expensive. I have my original and a buddy gave me his old ding up one. I will try to fix them before I spend a butt load of money on one.
I would offer 200.00, go to 250.00 if needed and see what he/she says. if you do not ask, you will never know.

[JWSmith]

I got an appointment to see it Thursday night - trying to get a few pics now though
I didn't know the dents could be removed...so that's a bonus.

[71meangreenc10]

New grilles are very thin metal. I just assembled one. If he wants 300, go over it with a fine tooth comb. It is missing the lights, so that is where the price gets flexible.

Smitty

[cericd]

Hi there. Just wanted to let you know that that is not an original factory grille. By that I mean it was not installed on a GM assembly line. It is either an OEM GM replacement grille or newer after market piece. There are many threads about the specifics of the 69-70 grilles. The main difference of a true factory original grill is the black lines extend toe the headlight buckets (as seen in the pic that I've included which is from a previous thread of mine).



My truck has a grille just like the one in the pic you posted. Although mine is in pretty nice shape there are a few "splits" in a couple corners that appear to be caused during the stamping process.

As far as repairing and refinishing the grill, it's aluminum so yes, the dents can be carefully worked out. However, the grille is anodized with a clear coat (which may be in bad shape due to age) this will have to be removed to refinish "polish" the grille. From what I've read, once the clear coat is removed you will have to continue to polish the grille to maintain the shine.

Just wanted to let you know the specifics before you pony up a lot of cash for an "original' grille.

Here's a good old thread on restoring a 69 grille http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=639279

[JWSmith]

thank you Chris - learn something new every day.

do you know the process to remove that "polish"?

[cericd]

Glad I could shed some light. I did a lot of research on the 69-70 grilles when I first got my truck. Some people don't notice the black lines not extending and some that do, don't care. I say go with what you like and feel happy with. I picked up an original factory grille for mine that's in pretty good shape because I want the option to swap it in the future if I choose.

If I remember correctly folks used easy-off oven cleaner to strip the original anodization.

[cericd]

Here's a good old thread on restoring a '69 grille http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=639279

[JWSmith]

thank you so much Chris

[cericd]

You're quite welcome. There's a ton of great info on this site.

[In The Ten Ring]

If the grill is indeed not OEM, you might want to hold out for one. Even NOS grills come on the parts forum here on this site.

I took my grill to a metal polisher and it came out looking fantastic! It was a bit of an "adventure" since the guy was located near Baltimore and I was not at all happy to drive into MD, especially near such a city as that.

However, all worked out fine and even hitting the black bear on I 64 turned out well.....I ended up with a new hood per insurance and my old hood was getting pretty rusty.

[Minnz]

Here is an interesting link on restoring aluminum:

http://www.iversonautomotive.com/Ser...Types/Aluminum

My grill is being restored now, not cheap$$$$

[GR8-68]

Some interesting information there, thanks for sharing even though I dont have a 69 I still love hearing good info

[FirstOwner69]

The grille may be an OEM service replacement part even though it is not the original as shown on the left side of the picture in post 5. My grille was replaced in 1972 with one without the extended black lines. I still have the work order showing the GM part number (3985054).

[cericd]

Yep. That's the point I was making. The truly original grilles have the extended lines, they have yet to be reproduced and are easy to spot when you know what to look for. The other grilles, from a GM dealer or an aftermarket vender, I wouldn't know a way to positively id them without a receipt from the dealership. I have never run across someone selling a NOS 69-70 grille with the factory style stamping. I've never had the chance to compare a NOS service replacement to a brand new aftermarket grille to determine the quality difference.

Best bet is to find a grille you like for a price you are comfortable with and go with it. It all depends on what you want.

[ChuckLee]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

If the grill is indeed not OEM, you might want to hold out for one. Even NOS grills come on the parts forum here on this site.

I took my grill to a metal polisher and it came out looking fantastic! It was a bit of an "adventure" since the guy was located near Baltimore and I was not at all happy to drive into MD, especially near such a city as that.

However, all worked out fine and even hitting the black bear on I 64 turned out well.....I ended up with a new hood per insurance and my old hood was getting pretty rusty.

black bear on 64? lol
that's where I live. whereabouts were you on 64?
you sure maybe it wasn't my black lab? lol

[jr1000yarder]

jwsmith, if you pass on it I'd be willing to buy it from you. LMK

[Rich69shortfleet]

I have an NOS replacement grill that does not have the extended black lines. It is not a reproduction (bought it before reproductions were available). Nice and heavy, but I sure wish I had one with the original extended lines. A quick thought was to simply restore the one on my truck, but it too must have been a factory replacement one. The original on my truck had the extended lines, but a mama deer and her baby took care of that one early one morning when I was on my way to a swap meet. It was ruined beyond all repair.

[jr1000yarder]

Originally Posted by Minnz

Here is an interesting link on restoring aluminum:

http://www.iversonautomotive.com/Ser...Types/Aluminum

My grill is being restored now, not cheap$$$$

Who is restoring it?

[Minnz]

Originally Posted by jr1000yarder

Who is restoring it?

Iverson Automotive near Minneapolis: http://www.iversonautomotive.com/