1968 Front Grilles (Survey) Original Grille Paint Patterns

[Terry B.]

The 1968-69 TJM is under review and some areas of the manual need clarification. One such area is the 1968 front grilles paint patterns. The manual currently states:

Front grilles consist of three black plastic pieces with horizontal bars. For all of 1968 production through January of 1969, the leading edges of these bars are painted silver. In later cars, the grille is all black. Intermediate cars have been seen with the top bar only unpainted while lower ones are painted silver. Original cars with a painted center grille and unpainted outer grilles have also been seen.

If you are the original owner of a 1968 and still have the original driver or passenger side grille(s), please comment on what horizontal edges have the silver paint. Also please give either your vin # or build date.

I have attached examples of the '68 and '69 grills. Note the horizontal edges as they attach to the vertical end. '68 grills overlap the vertical edge and the '69 are flush.

1969 Grille



1968 Grille


Thanks,

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 Front Grilles (Survey) Original Grille Paint Patterns

I am not the original owner. Number four I believe. I own a very correct coupe that had a build date of March 19 ,1968. All three of my grills are painted the argent silver except the top row of all three pieces. Good luck in your survey. Jeff

[Jack C.]

Re: 1968 Front Grilles (Survey) Original Grille Paint Patterns

Grille Paint: January 22, 1968 build date. All three are painted silver on the leading edges. Top bar is not painted.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Front Grilles (Survey) Original Grille Paint Patterns

Terry my 68 original owner built in Feb has grilles painted like Jack Corso's. My left and center are the real deal originals. The right grille I bought from GM in 1983 or 1984 as a replacement has no silver paint