72 grill bracket finish

[Phil D.]

Tiny bracket part number 3974009 LH, was it supposed to be painted black or raw metal or zinc plated? Our originals were too rusty to tell, as if they were never protected at all.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 grill bracket finish

Tiny bracket part number 3974009 LH, was it supposed to be painted black or raw metal or zinc plated? Our originals were too rusty to tell, as if they were never protected at all.

Phil------


My recollection is that these brackets were dip-painted semi-gloss black. However, I'm starting to question my recollection inasmuch as if they were painted I don't see how they would now be so rusty that you could not find any trace of paint.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 grill bracket finish

Joe, Your correct they where painted semi gloss black.

[Phil D.]

Re: 72 grill bracket finish

Thanks guys. I saw pictures of some ostensibly NOS ones on ebay that were not painted, and some at a Corvette parts website that were. Since you could see them through the grill, I would have expected them to be painted originally, but perhaps these were replaced at some point in the car's life, perhaps after a minor accident with some from a dealership parts bin that were not painted. I will paint them.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 grill bracket finish

Thanks guys. I saw pictures of some ostensibly NOS ones on ebay that were not painted, and some at a Corvette parts website that were. Since you could see them through the grill, I would have expected them to be painted originally, but perhaps these were replaced at some point in the car's life, perhaps after a minor accident with some from a dealership parts bin that were not painted. I will paint them.

Never assUme that NOS parts are identical to production parts. They often/sometimes are NOT. Also never assUme that parts supplied by aftermarket vendors are the same as production parts. Always verify configuration and finish as well as suitability for service of any parts you add to your Corvette.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 grill bracket finish

Never assUme that NOS parts are identical to production parts. They often/sometimes are NOT. Also never assUme that parts supplied by aftermarket vendors are the same as production parts. Always verify configuration and finish as well as suitability for service of any parts you add to your Corvette.

Terry-------


I would say that about 99+% of the time PRODUCTION and SERVICE parts are exactly the same providing that they were manufactured at approximately the same point in time. Over time, changes can occur.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 grill bracket finish

Terry-------


I would say that about 99+% of the time PRODUCTION and SERVICE parts are exactly the same providing that they were manufactured at approximately the same point in time. Over time, changes can occur.

But when someone says a part is NOS one has no idea when it was made or if it is appropriate for the car being discussed. Saying "I restored the car with all NOS parts" is akin to saying "the numbers match." Your "manufactured at the same time" qualifier limits the population fo NOS parts severely.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 grill bracket finish

But when someone says a part is NOS one has no idea when it was made or if it is appropriate for the car being discussed. Saying "I restored the car with all NOS parts" is akin to saying "the numbers match." Your "manufactured at the same time" qualifier limits the population fo NOS parts severely.

Terry-----

Even if a certain NOS part of the original part number was manufactured at a different time than the original part, the chances are great that it's still going to be the most correct and highest quality part one can get in a NEW part.

I recall that years ago folks used to sneer at the GM SERVICE oil pans (i.e. 6 digit part numbers) which were released in about 1976 for 1956-74 Corvette applications. Then, GM discontinued them all. Now, folks pay many hundreds of dollars to get one.