'71 Front Grills

[Randy C.]

I'm getting ready to restore the front grills on my '71. Whoever had the car before me did a lot of ugly things to it, and one of them was to black out the grills. My question is, how are the front grills finished, and are all three grills finished the same way?

I see in the 70-72 CTIM&JG that the front grills have a "gray sand cast finish with polished chrome trim". An article in a somewhat recent Restorer told me how to match that "gray sand cast" color. Where is the polished chrome trim? Does it include just the area that surrounds the center part of the grill or does it include the "egg crate" portion? If it includes the egg crate portion, is just the front surface in polished chrome or does it include both vertical and horizontal surfaces back to the ridge about 3/16" from the leading edge of the grill, similar to the side fender grills?

It's taken a long time to get this car back to "factory correct" condition and this is one of the last steps I need to take to make my car right. I'm hoping someday in the near future to have my car judged for the first time. I've only owned it for almost 31 years!

Thank everyone so much for the knowledge they've dispensed in the past. Without even asking, I've learned so much from this forum!

Best Regards,

Randy C.

[Warren F.]

Re: '71 Front Grills

Randal,

The chrome lip is only the front edge that shows a slight step, (this is the egg crate portion of the grille) maybe a 1/16th in length, the rest is the grayish sandcast color.

[Randy C.]

Re: '71 Front Grills

Could someone post a picture of how the front grills are finished? I'm having difficulty explaining it, as well as understanding the answer. I would just like the grills to be as close to right as possible when I'm done.
Thanks!
Randy C.

[Pat M.]

Re: '71 Front Grills

Randy, check out this pic from a previous thread of my Duntov 70's grille which should also be correct for your 71.

The flash has made the color look lighter than it is, it's actually very dark, almost a charcoal grey. I believe I got the right color paint code from Richard Fortier, who advertises in the Driveline.

Notice just the front leading recessed edge of the crate pattern has exposed chrome. Also, the bottom most vertical leading edge does not have exposed chrome.

Some people mask the edges and paint. I used a razor knife to carefully slice the paint off shortly after painting when it was still pliable.

Finally, you can see that the top and most of the right side of the parking light surround is black.

Good luck.

Edit add: Oh, and the center grille is solid grey, no chrome trim.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/attachme...34980&uid=5961

[Randy C.]

Re: '71 Front Grills

That was just the ticket - and especially the info on the center grill. I've seen center grills both ways so I didn't know how they were finished as well. Thank you so much!

Randy C.