c-1 main grille shell

[Jon S.]

A fellow car show nut picked up several grille teeth to make a custom grille for his 55 chevy. The box that held them also contained many other corvette parts. The one that has me puzzled is a main grille shell for a 58 to 62 vette. However, I don't know whether it is an upper or lower shell.Looking at the back side, I found the number 166 on the left side. In the middle there are two numbers almost on top of one another. They are 437 399991 and below that, 37 39558. An E appears to the right of the numbers. Can anyone identify it as a upper or lower shell?
Regards, Jon

[David H.]

Re: c-1 main grille shell

Jon. my 62 peices have the following numbers-----upper--#3739320 with a date of 5/62 above that (this is a june built car)-----lower--#3799993---and #3739359--- and #3740213 ,date also 5/62. Also Jon if you look there is a difference in uppr and lower in the verticle depth, that is the distance from the side that buts up to the bumper and the three studs along outer edge; the side closest to the paint. since the studs are parallel to that same part of the molding you can measure from that surface to the center of the three outer studs-----lower measures 3 1/8", upper measures 4". the upper one is also more curved toward the outer edge than the lower one is, but if you only have one you will have to measure to be able to see the diff. David

[Jon S.]

Re: c-1 main grille shell

Thanks David! That helps a lot. It seems to be a lower shell based on your measurement contrast. I"m not sure on the date issue. The number to the left 166 puzzles me as well as the capital E to the right of the numbers.But I'm confident it is a lower shell. Thanks again!
Regards, Jon

[Dennis A.]

Re: c-1 main grille shell

Jon...

1961 numbers are 37390 top and 3740213 bottom, David is dead on