73 tail light screws

[William M.]

NCRS 73-74 tech Info & Judging Guide states that black oxide screws were used to mount the tail & back-up lenses. Mine are not black and appear to be stainless. Most pictures of 73's I've seen look like mine too. My car had the original lenses which were cracked, so I replaced with NOS. Now what about the screws?

[Joe L.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

NCRS 73-74 tech Info & Judging Guide states that black oxide screws were used to mount the tail & back-up lenses. Mine are not black and appear to be stainless. Most pictures of 73's I've seen look like mine too. My car had the original lenses which were cracked, so I replaced with NOS. Now what about the screws?

William-----


I'm not sure about 1974. However, I believe the screws used for 1973 were pan head, 8-32 X 5/8" and CHROME-finished. Once known as GM #9420489.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

Black screws were used in 73 and replcements sold are a shiny finish.

[William M.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

Anyone else have black screws that are believed to be original? I don't think I've seen any 73's with black ones. Are all those I've seen replacement screws?

[Joe L.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

Anyone else have black screws that are believed to be original? I don't think I've seen any 73's with black ones. Are all those I've seen replacement screws?

William-----


One thing that folks might check for: these screws, along with the lenses, upper and lower rear panels, and bumpers, tend to become "blackened" as a result exhaust gases. The lenses, panels, and bumpers are, of course, regularly cleaned so the "blackening" doesn't build up. The screw heads, being recessed, are not so easily cleaned. Over the years, I have removed the chrome screws on my 1969 several times to clean off the "blackening". But, they weren't always black.

I suppose it's possible, though, that by 1973 they decided that they'd just make the screws black to begin with. That way, they wouldn't change when the exhaust gases got to them. However, I always thought that the 1973 screws were chrome, just like earlier.

[William M.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

Any other '73 owners that can chime in?

[Michael W.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

Anyone else have black screws that are believed to be original? I don't think I've seen any 73's with black ones. Are all those I've seen replacement screws?

Approx. half of my screws were black oxide. The other half were a mixture of brightly finished Phillips head screws similar to previous years, and a few with Robertson heads. I believe that Bubba had paid a visit to that portion of the car so cannot say for sure which are original. Build date is July 5th 1973

[Reba W.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

1968-69 tail light lens screws were shiny as Joe noted. They changed to black in 1970. I don't see why GM would have gone back to shiny ones, but who knows? I always thought they were black from 1970 on, but as I mentioned previously, my knowledge ends at 1972.

[William M.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

Approx. half of my screws were black oxide. The other half were a mixture of brightly finished Phillips head screws similar to previous years, and a few with Robertson heads. I believe that Bubba had paid a visit to that portion of the car so cannot say for sure which are original. Build date is July 5th 1973

We might be on to something here. Anyone else with a 73 with black screws?

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

I have owned about 15 73's and have five at this time and the screws were black in all of them. The screw is special or different as their are no threads close to the head. They are not a common hardware store screw.

[William M.]

Re: 73 tail light screws

I have owned about 15 73's and have five at this time and the screws were black in all of them.

I think that probably settles it!