1973 front grilles, rh and lh

[Linda D.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

I guess the drawback is that in terms of being correct (as in not better than original), the new repro grilles might not be judged as favorably, but if I leave the original ones on that are now all completely black, then the car is still not correct. So, I guess it is a judgement call and I think the repro ones with the correct chrome edges will enhance the car and make it appear more original. So that's what I am going for. Not sure I will ever actually have it judged but feel that any parts I have to replace on it should be towards that direction nonetheless. It is a nice little base model 350 73 coupe, white with saddle interior, 33,000 miles that look to be correct from inspection of the underside of the car which is clean as a whistle. Car came from Texas originally. So it is not a super rare model or anything but I am happy with it. It's my 2nd one. Sold the first one 28 years ago.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

I guess the drawback is that in terms of being correct (as in not better than original), the new repro grilles might not be judged as favorably, but if I leave the original ones on that are now all completely black, then the car is still not correct. So, I guess it is a judgement call and I think the repro ones with the correct chrome edges will enhance the car and make it appear more original. So that's what I am going for. Not sure I will ever actually have it judged but feel that any parts I have to replace on it should be towards that direction nonetheless. It is a nice little base model 350 73 coupe, white with saddle interior, 33,000 miles that look to be correct from inspection of the underside of the car which is clean as a whistle. Car came from Texas originally. So it is not a super rare model or anything but I am happy with it. It's my 2nd one. Sold the first one 28 years ago.

Linda-----


It will be interesting to compare the reproductions to the originals. As I say, I don't see how it would be possible to discern the aluminum from zinc-diecast when they're installed on the car. There is no "magnet test" to differentiate zinc from aluminum. So, while they might not be "correct", any lack of correctness should be "theoretical" as far as any observer is concerned. Of course, this assumes that they are manufactured to the same dimensional and configurational specs as the originals. That may or may not be the case and, if they're not, that fact might very well be discernable. However, the substrate material should not be discernable.

Incidentally, to adhere to the extreme standard of "correctness", 1965-82 Corvettes with stainless steel sleeved calipers are not correct. However, the vast majority of the cars out there have them, including those scoring 99+ in judging.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

Linda-

Just out of curiosity, how late was your car built in the production year? If it's w/in the last month, 'all black' grills ie. '74 style, may not be incorrect.

[William M.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

As usual, I'm sure the repros will look much nicer than the originals. I was very fortunate to find a pair of new in the box NOS ones a couple of years ago to replace my well worn originals.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

As usual, I'm sure the repros will look much nicer than the originals. I was very fortunate to find a pair of new in the box NOS ones a couple of years ago to replace my well worn originals.

William------


The last pair of NOS examples I saw were absolutely PATHETIC in terms of quality.

[Linda D.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

Linda-

Just out of curiosity, how late was your car built in the production year? If it's w/in the last month, 'all black' grills ie. '74 style, may not be incorrect.

My car was built in mid October 1972, so very early in the production year.

[Steve L.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

My 73 BD apr10 73 has the chrome leading edges.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

My car was built in mid October 1972, so very early in the production year.

My 73 BD apr10 73 has the chrome leading edges.

Thanks. Mine was built July 3rd '73 and was purchased in 1990 from the second owner, a cousin of the first owner. Both grills were all black '74 style and I presumed they were service replacements, despite the insistence from the seller that they were original, never touched.

Over the years I've heard from other '73 owners that there are some known examples of late (final month) cars with '74 grills from the factory. I've still got the black grills in my parts stash but they are in very poor condition.

[Linda D.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

Well, the saga continues....just heard from Paragon and the LH and RH grilles I ordered from them are not available. Turns out they were actually NOS GM service parts and their supplier is out of stock. They do have plastic ones for $96 each.

[Rich C.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

William------


The last pair of NOS examples I saw were absolutely PATHETIC in terms of quality.

I found the center one, NOS in the box at Carlisle in '94. Paid $100 for it!!! Paint and 'brightness of chrome were fine, however the leading edges were almost pockmarked, not sharp, but still bright. I wouldn't be surprised if the repros are "too perfect" Not knocking them though, glad someone is reproducing one year parts for '73's.

'73 LS-4 454 owned 21 1/2 years it's 39th birthday... October 19th!

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

The center is reproed but LH and RH looks like are not by Linda's last post.

[William M.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

William------


The last pair of NOS examples I saw were absolutely PATHETIC in terms of quality.

Yes, chrome edges leave a lot to be desired. Nothing like the way too nice repros.

[Peter G.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

Linda..if you are still without original front grills.....

Russ Steinhaus..NCRS member here on the TDB has some, but they are used and not NOS.

I am not sure he wants to sell them, but it might be worth a message.

If your interested you might shoot him a PM. He is online alot of the time, but if not you can find him in the Member's List.

Good luck.

[Linda D.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

Thanks for the post, Peter....I did find a pair of NOS GM front grilles for my 73, with the chrome leading edge. They arrived this week and I feel really lucky to have found a pair. Thanks to all the good people at NCRS for helping me out and for the discussion. It is great to be able to access such a great resource!

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 front grilles, rh and lh

Thanks for the post, Peter....I did find a pair of NOS GM front grilles for my 73, with the chrome leading edge. They arrived this week and I feel really lucky to have found a pair. Thanks to all the good people at NCRS for helping me out and for the discussion. It is great to be able to access such a great resource!

Linda------


I hope the NOS grilles you found were decent. The last-manufactured SERVICE examples of these that I've seen were of rather pathetic quality. I expect that's why GM discontinued them. When the quality gets too bad (usually due to tooling wear) and the parts are no longer used for PRODUCTION, the parts are usually discontinued.