1953 Grill Teeth

[Jim P.]

I have two questions about the grill teeth. First, at the price of the reproduction teeth is anyone even bothering to re-chrome their old teeth? I see in one of the major parts suppliers catalogs that you can buy individual teeth for $25, can you even get them re-plated for that?

Also, does anyone know how long (what VIN) they used the heavier, more crude teeth that Noland mentions in his book on pages 87 & 88. He doesn't allude to their being made of a different material, but they seem to be made of bronze and the later teeth are, zink?? They do have the alternate numbering scheme that Noland depicts.

Jim

[Rick G.]

Re: 1953 Grill Teeth

Hi Jim,

I can't answer your question about the change in materials but if you send me a private message, I will forward you contact information on the gentleman who restored both the number 35 and 284 car. I am sure he will be able to answer your question as to the materials in both. The 284 car belonged to Noland.

If it was me, I would restore any original parts and refrain from using reproduction on any 1953.

Rick

[Troy P.]

Re: 1953 Grill Teeth

Very good question about using reproduction teeth. I'm sure you can't get one replated for $25. Particularly is they have pitting that needs fixed first.

I know that there was a time you could tell the reproductions from the original while installed. But I seem to think that the design has changed over the past 20 years and they are OK now. Not sure about that though.

[Steven S.]

Re: 1953 Grill Teeth

Early 1953 Corvette teeth have different part numbers. They are marked #C,#1,#2,#3, thru #6 which is unique.

I was told that these early teeth have less nickel in them. They are not brass.

[Jim P.]

Re: 1953 Grill Teeth

Thanks for the replies fellas. I looked at that catalog again and see that if you buy a 13 piece set you can get it for $250, that's $19 and change per tooth; and that price includes the mounting kit (backplates and studs. I'd like to keep as many of the original parts as I can on the car, but that is a reasonable price for new teeth and, I'll always have the originals to use if I see fit.

Yes, the teeth I have have different but similar part numbers. And, unlike later teeth they have the numbers 2 and 3 stamped into them, instead of 1 stamped into those 3 positions teeth. I'm sure not going to argue about what the teeth are made of, but they are made of a yellow base metal. I can scratch the inside of a tooth and it is yellow underneath the thin protective layer of oxidized metal. I looked it up on the internet and it says brass is copper and zink and bronze is copper and tin. There are so many other metals that can be added and percentages of all metals that the line is pretty blurred between brass and bronze.

And Steve, I believe by reading Noland's book that the lack of nickel wasn't for adding it to the makeup of the teeth but for the plating process. Let me quote, "Substitute finish: This substitute finish must be used during the period in which nickel plate on this part is prohibited by government restrictions." It goes on to say, "The substitute finish is described as a copper and chromium plate on a zinc-base die casting:Copper plate thickness .0005min; chromium plate thickness .00001 min; enamel thickness .0008 min; enamel: coat by dipping in clear synthetic enamel, Dupont RK-3096 or equivalent. Bake." I know my teeth were replated in the 50's or 60's, evidently this finish didn't last long.

Jim

[Brett H.]

Re: 1953 Grill Teeth

I believe in usinig as many GM parts as possible during any restoration. I have used original and repro teeth and have never had a judging issue.....YET.