Egg crate side vents for '71 LT1

[Paul M.]

[Joe L.]

Re: Egg crate side vents for '71 LT1

Paul-----

First off, let me say that I don't know a lot about these 70-72 side grilles. However, I do believe that all came from the factory painted body color. As I recall, for 1970 and, perhaps, part of 71, the horizontal edges of the "egg crate" were exposed chrome. For part of 1971 and all of 1972, both the horizontal and vertical edges of the "egg crate" were exposed chrome. Actually, I don't see how this could have been done if the grilles were painted on the car, but it's possible that the grilles were delivered to the assembly line with the exposed edges pre-masked with tape. Also, though, if the side grilles were painted on the car, I would have expected paint flaking at the interface between the grille and the body. In any event, regardless of how they were painted, I think that they were all painted body color (except for the edges as I described).

With respect to the "black" side grilles, I have seen more than a few cars exhibiting these. My thinking has always been that these were some sort of post-production modification. These grilles were of zinc diecast construction. this sort of material does not hold up real well to corrosion. Once it starts, the paint would start chipping off. Rather than go through the expense of having paint matched and the grilles re-painted, as original, folks may have just decided that painting them black was easier and "looked better". Or, if the grilles were replaced due to corrosion or other damage, they could have just been painted black rather than taking the car to a body shop for repainting of the grilles.

Anyway, that about all I can offer on these "black" side grilles; perhaps others will have more information.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Egg crate side vents for '71 LT1

Actually, Joe, I believe that in this case, the black is probably the primer that was under the body color.

Stripping the body color lacquer would not be difficult, and could have been done easily by a previous owner. I don't know what his original objective was, but when he got down to that black primer, he may have had a change of plans. The black primer was applied directly over the chrome (very poor chrome quality inside the egg crates), and is EXTREMELY difficult to completely remove in my experience.

The side grilles were painted on the car; the body should have red oxide primer in the side grille recesses when the side grilles are removed. You are correct on the edge masking; for 71 both the horizontal edges AND the vertical edges are left unpainted chrome.

[Bill W.]

Re: Egg crate side vents for '71 LT1

I dont belive the egg crates were painted on the body ,at least not the deep recess ones. My orig paint 70 #2650 (I repainted in 1990) was yellow behind the grille and had paint around the edges of the grille.Maybe when they went to the shallow grilles they changed ? Bill

[Chuck S.]

Re: Egg crate side vents for '71 LT1

Bill, GM may have changed paint procedures during the 70 MY; or else procedures could have varied with the painter, or maybe even due to scheduling problems.

All I know is that the side grille recesses on my 70, built July 30, were painted with the original red oxide primer. I thought it was interesting that there was no evidence of sealer or color, only the red oxide primer coat. On my car, the side grilles had to have been installed after the primer coat, but before the sealer coat.

I am unfamiliar with "deep" versus "shallow" side grilles, but I learn something every day. The only side grille change I am aware of is the change to add vertical edges to the egg crates for 71,72. Maybe the "shallow" grille you referred to was part of that change...It would be an unexpected revelation for those beating the bushes for side grilles.

Unless they changed the fender molds, which seems unlikely, I must have the "deep" grilles. I had to repair a little fiberglass crack in the bottom of one recess, and I thought I had laid in a pretty tight radius. Not tight enough, it turned out; I ended up having to relieve the repair to get the grille to fit. It appeared that the factory body shop may also have had to relieve the corner radius; they were a little too enthusiastic with the grinder and grooved the material too thin, which led to the crack in the first place.

[Terry M.]

Re: Egg crate side vents for '71 LT1 *PIC*

I believe in a previous thread on this subject John Hinckley stated that the side grilles were delivered to the plant painted by the vender. When we wrote the TIM&JG we had information from a number of owners which was the same as Chuck's information.
The service replacement side grilles were delivered painted black, and I have seen some in the original box with tape applied to the edges.

[Bill W.]

Re: Egg crate side vents for '71 LT1

Terry that would mean the cars were painted without the grilles in place (as the J.G. says). It would have been better for the St Louis painters . these grilles are very hard to paint and take more time than assembly line workers would have.The deep recess grilles are the 70 horz. style and are recessed about 3 1/2" The 71 &72 are much shallower...Bill

[Chuck S.]

Re: Egg crate side vents for '71 LT1

Terry, in light of this information, it seems highly probable that Paul's grilles are service replacement grilles as Joe first suggested. A previous owner probably replaced the grilles, but rather than paint them, left them in the supplied condition...black.