correct 56/57 grill bar and teeth

[Michael A.]

Hi guy's

I need some refresher on how to tell the difference between original and used repo grill bars and teeth. I am doing 56 #10 to be judged and a second car to drive. I have what I know is a new repo grill for the driver car but have a used bar and teeth which I thought were originals to replate but I am not sure. I don't want to waste plating costs on parts which will not get full points. Thanks in advance Mike

[Jerry G.]

Re: correct 56/57 grill bar and teeth

Michael: Personally I would buy the repro. Most people, including some judges can't tell the difference. It will cost a fortune to replate the originals, and you won't loose a lot of points for the repro anyway. I have the complete repro on mine, and I have had judges tell me half are original and the other half repro. Save your money.

[Gary C.]

Re: correct 56/57 grill bar and teeth

Michael, reproduction grille bars and ovals can't be told from originals. However, the grille teeth can. Original grille teeth had sharp edges and points. So, when purchasing reproduction grille teeth make sure you get sharp front end and center point. Otherwise a Judge will be able to notice the difference. Best, Gary....

[Michael A.]

Re: correct 56/57 grill bar and teeth

Hi Gary,
Thanks, any recommendations as to vendor with correct teeth?

[Gary C.]

Re: correct 56/57 grill bar and teeth

Michael, sorry don't know who makes the sharpest teeth. Would start with Corvette Central and Paragon. Ask each if you're not satisfied with the grille teeth sharp edges and nose if you can return them. Understand Corvette Central is making their own now. Recall being told recently that whoever had the grille ovals made wasn't going to have any more made as the minimum run was 800. Don't know if this was a for sure thing or not, but wouldn't take any chances by waiting if you need a grille oval. Gary....

[Edward M.]

Re: correct 56/57 grill bar and teeth

The edge on the teeth, and the point on the teeth, are what judges (at least me) look for. The reproduction teeth just aren't as sharp as originals.

However, I have seen at least two sets of originals that lost their edge after being replated. If you are restoring originals, make sure your plater knows that the sharp edge and point is important.

If your originals are significantly pitted, you might want to find a nicer set of originals to have replated.

[Michael A.]

Re: correct 56/57 grill bar and teeth

Thanks Edward,

My set which I think are originals are in far shape with a small amount of pitting. I think my plater can make them look new without loosing any detail. The repo set I have are actually pretty nice, they were made several years ago and would probably pass. I will use them on my driver. The #10 car has almost all original replated or NOS parts on it other than the interior, rubber and that type parts. Thanks to everyone on the board for their help with this old car. It has been a long project, since 1967 hopefully it will be done soon.
Later Mike

[Brian T.]

Re: correct 56/57 grill bar and teeth

If anybody thinks that all grille teeth produced from GM were exactly the same, and all had sharp edges and points is dreaming. Tooling wears and do not think for 1 minute that fresh tools or repairs were made on the tools at the first hint of a lesser point. Also remember that there are humans involved in the polishing procedures and not all parts were exactly the same. These parts were mass produced and we sometimes forget that they were not as perfect as we would have liked them to be.