I am restoring my 1970 LT 1 convertible and I have a question regarding the side vents. How should they be painted? with only the horizontal edges showing silver or the horizontal and vertical. I have seen top flight and BG cars have it both ways. I have a few old GM pictures that show the the horizontal and verticals edges silver. Maybe someone could email pics if they have an original paint car. Thanks as aways for your help.
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Re: 1970 LT 1
For 1970, only the horizontal edges not painted (show silver). -
Re: 1970 LT 1
For 1970, only the horizontal edges not painted (show silver).Comment
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Re: 1970 LT 1
Jonathan,
There are two different castings of the side louver grilles. 1970 castings are heavier than the second design casting, which is used for most of 1971 and all of 1972 cars.
The 1970 castings only have a leading edge that is left exposed, showing the flash chrome. This is the edge than runs horizontally. If you look closely you will see that this edge has a stepped ledge, resembling the same appearance as the front grilles have.
The second design grille actually has a vertical edge that is raised, just like the horizontal edge and also has a stepped ledge. These grilles have both the vertical and horizontal edge left exposed with the flash chrome. These grilles actually form a square compartment, just like the front grilles do.
The 1970 castings do not have a vertical raised edge, it is more like a 3 sided square with one side having a tapered edge. This is why they only have the horizontal edge chrome exposed. These grilles also have the vertical face of the squares running farther back into the grille cavity, this is part of the reason why these grilles are so much heavier.
The second design grille does not have the vertical face extending into the grille cavity. This allows more underhood heat to escape thru these side louvers. This grille design actually matches the front grille design more closely.Comment
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Re: 1970 LT 1
Jonathan,
There are two different castings of the side louver grilles. 1970 castings are heavier than the second design casting, which is used for most of 1971 and all of 1972 cars.
The 1970 castings only have a leading edge that is left exposed, showing the flash chrome. This is the edge than runs horizontally. If you look closely you will see that this edge has a stepped ledge, resembling the same appearance as the front grilles have.
The second design grille actually has a vertical edge that is raised, just like the horizontal edge and also has a stepped ledge. These grilles have both the vertical and horizontal edge left exposed with the flash chrome. These grilles actually form a square compartment, just like the front grilles do.
The 1970 castings do not have a vertical raised edge, it is more like a 3 sided square with one side having a tapered edge. This is why they only have the horizontal edge chrome exposed. These grilles also have the vertical face of the squares running farther back into the grille cavity, this is part of the reason why these grilles are so much heavier.
The second design grille does not have the vertical face extending into the grille cavity. This allows more underhood heat to escape thru these side louvers. This grille design actually matches the front grille design more closely.Comment
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Re: 1970 LT 1
The 1970-1972 TIM&JG, available from the site sponsor store on the radio button above, has a photo of each style side grill. Check it out.TerryComment
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Re: 1970 LT 1
the correct grill for the 70 can only be painted 1 way. only the horizonal lines have the chrome lip on a 70 grill. on the 71, 72 grill both horizonal and vertical lines have the chrome lip. to restore the grill you first get flash chrome on the entire grill. then prime and paint the entire surface. then you can get a razor blade and shave the paint off the chrome lines while the paint is still soft. i usually wait a day or so before i do the last step.Comment
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link to grille pics
Click the registry link and do as follows.Resourses... photographic library... exterior.
There are several great pics of the front and back of the grille.
Sorry but there isn't a direct link to the pics
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Re: 1970 LT 1
Jonathan...
Here's how I recently did mine. 70 LT-1 Coupe
My car had the original paint on it (DB Green) when I started the restoration, I tried to duplicate this detail as close as possible. I also own a 71 LT-1 and the side vents are of a different cast and final finish as others have mentioned. Hope this helps.
Chuck
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