'65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

[Wayne M.]

A fellow NCRS member has kindly donated a '65 grille that is somewhat damaged by front-end collision. I need a winter project and am wondering if any of the grille bars (mostly outboard) and the top and LH moulding and support(s) are still available from the General, or from repro sources [as complete grille assemblies are now being made, at a price].

I see that the '65 AIM devotes an entire page (UPC 11-13, Sheet B2) to the assembly of the grille -- 18 parts not counting the rivets. The fact that this is shown in the AIM, IMO, means that this was done at St.Louis. Was it done in an off-line area ?

And were Ionia A-bodies shipped to St.Louis without grilles in '64-5 ? (ie. grilles only assembled at St.Louis) ?

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

A fellow NCRS member has kindly donated a '65 grille that is somewhat damaged by front-end collision. I need a winter project and am wondering if any of the grille bars (mostly outboard) and the top and LH moulding and support(s) are still available from the General, or from repro sources [as complete grille assemblies are now being made, at a price].

I see that the '65 AIM devotes an entire page (UPC 11-13, Sheet B2) to the assembly of the grille -- 18 parts not counting the rivets. The fact that this is shown in the AIM, IMO, means that this was done at St.Louis. Was it done in an off-line area ?

And were Ionia A-bodies shipped to St.Louis without grilles in '64-5 ? (ie. grilles only assembled at St.Louis) ?

Wayne-----


Most of the component parts of the 1965 grille were discontinued from SERVICE more than 25 years ago. Those few that were not were discontinued within the last 15 years. At the present time, there are NONE available from GM. I don't know about reproduction sources for these parts. Presumably, the parts are being manufactured since the grille assemblies are reproduced. However, whether the component parts are sold individually is the issue.

[John H.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

I see that the '65 AIM devotes an entire page (UPC 11-13, Sheet B2) to the assembly of the grille -- 18 parts not counting the rivets. The fact that this is shown in the AIM, IMO, means that this was done at St.Louis. Was it done in an off-line area ?

And were Ionia A-bodies shipped to St.Louis without grilles in '64-5 ? (ie. grilles only assembled at St.Louis) ?

Wayne -

Yes, the grille was subassembled from all the component parts in an off-line bench-mounted riveting fixture on all cars - A.O. Smith bodies came without the grille, as the headlight motors, horns, A/C condenser and Powerglide trans cooler had to be installed prior to the grille.

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

Thanks, Joe and John

Was always wondering if the assy. done only in St.Louis -- with all those components, no wonder they went with the heavier (cast) grille for '66-7. Probably saved a lot in labor.

Found it strange that the complete 1965 grille assy. was discontinued in 7-66, only 12 months after '65 EOP, whereas (most of) the component pieces were still in my 1970 P&A30B catalog, albeit with some #'s changed from the AIM. And Joe, you've confirmed that some of the parts were still available much later than 1970.

IIRC the '63-4 complete grille assy. and the '66-7 unit were available from GM for many years after respective EOP; I recall seeing the '63-4's in GM boxes at swap meets throughout the '80's.

[John D.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

In 1966 if you wrecked your 65 and it needed a grille you got a 66 grille. I remember that distinctly because I hung out at Grabiak Chev as Clem here did also.
The last truck load of 65's that came to Grabiak Chev had two 65's on top of the hauler with 66 grilles in them. This was pointed out to me by the owner of the dealership. Sam Jr said to me look at those two new Corvettes with the egg grate grilles. He said those are the new 66 grilles. I said to him. How do you know this. He said duh-I gots the pic of the 66's in my office. True story.
Yet in all my NCRS years I never heard mention of the last few 65's made had 66 grilles. Course I don't follow 65's that closely so maybe it has come to light. John D.

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

....Yet in all my NCRS years I never heard mention of the last few 65's made had 66 grilles. Course I don't follow 65's that closely so maybe it has come to light. John D.

John --- can't say for ALL the last batch of '65s, but am fairly certain that the very last (#23564) had the proper '65 grille in this pic, taken by the (then) Texas owner in 1968 (check front tag). Mind you, he had '66 wheelcovers on it, but these owners (he was probably # 3) were not into originality. Some fiberglass damage is visible at the lower passenger-side panel. Now in another 1970 photo (same owner) I could show you a really bent '65 grille .

[John D.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

Wayne, Nice pic. Yes I should never have said the word all. I should have said although not typical some of the last 65's had 66 grilles.(at least two of them because I saw them) That's seminar talk and keeps you out of trouble. Thanx, JD

Saw you had a repro 63-64 grille and for some reason you were able to use it for parts. Well you would have to do a lot of polishing as the repro bars are very dull.

[Martin T.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

Wayne, Are you going into the 65 grill restoration business? If so, do I have a grill for you. If not, do you know who does grill restoration?

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

Wayne, Are you going into the 65 grill restoration business? If so, do I have a grill for you. If not, do you know who does grill restoration?

Heck no, Matin; I'm just hoping to make a good 10-foot driver quality grille out of the one donated to me. It's only missing the driver side outer support (the one that screws to the bracket riveted to the fiberglass). The LH outer moulding is pretty bent. May have to R&R a few rivets to be able to straighten all. The outer (surround) mouldings polish-up pretty well -- doesn't have the normal "road rash" that you see on the bright metal parts. So I'm optimistic.

Don't know who restores these things; maybe others will chime in. Good luck.

[Martin T.]

Re: '65 grille -- where assembled ('63-4 too)

Wayne, you had my hopes up for a while. Mine is straight but does have some light pitting(very light). If anyone knows someone who does a great job of bringing the 65 back to prestine or really very nice condition(that will top flight) please let me and the rest of the 65 owners know.