'67 GM Restoration Parts Question

[Patrick T.]

One of the great mysteries of the Universe to me is how the GM Restoration Service Parts Operations works. A few weeks ago, I asked here if GM still makes the '67 radiator grille or if a vendor had acquired the molds and was now repoping them.

The answer is GM still makes the grilles, and I assume it is manufactured as a GM Restoration Part. So I go to the site and the '67 grille was NOT available.

So I go to http://www.gmpartsdirect.com which is owned by Flow Chevrolet in Winston Salem, N.C. They DID have it available. The GM list price for the grille is $398.00 plus shipping and handling, but GM parts direct had the grille for $234.00 plus $35.00 for shipping and handling.

Being that the price was so cheap, I ordered the grill from GM Parts Direct over the Internet for $234.00. They sent me a receipt saying it was a special order part that they would have to get from GM Restoration Parts. Yesterday I got the grille UPS, (it's beautiful) and it was directly dropped shipped to me from the GM Service Parts Operations Division in Charlotte N.C.

My question is why does GM Restoration Parts say the part is not available when GM Parts Direct can get it for me from them for a much lower price? Doesn't make any sense to me. Does anyone have a theory? Thanks, Patrick

[Jerry Clark]

Re: '67 GM Restoration Parts Question

Hi Patrick:
I can't direct a response to your situation but I do have a question for you:
Does your new grille exhibit a great deal of flashing in the leading chromed edges of the egg crate?
All I have seen, (including my own) have this attribute.
Thanks
jer

[Patrick T.]

Re: '67 GM Restoration Parts Question

Hi Jerry, I compared the original grille side by side to the new one and the amount of casting flash seems to be about the same, but it is located in the rear of the eggcrate, where you really can't see it. In other words, they look about the same. Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: '67 GM Restoration Parts Question

Patrick-----

First off, bear in mind that GM likely NEVER made this grille. It was likely made for GM by an outside vendor. GM internal parts manufacturing operations of old rarely made low-volume pieces like these for Corvettes. They did make some, but I don't think that this grille was one of them.

As far as I can tell, this grille is still in the GM Parts System and avaialble through GMSPO. It is possible that it has been VERY recently discontinued and transferred to GM Restoration Parts. In that case, if the part came to you through GMSPO, then they must have obtained it from the GM Restoration Parts licensee for the part. However, in that case, the box or the part should have a GM Restoration Parts label on it. If it's in a GM box with a GM parts label and number on it, then that would confirm that the piece is still in the regular GM parts system. I do think that awhile back I read where GMSPO was going to start obtaining some discontinued parts, reproduced through GM Restoration Parts, and making them available to customers through regular GM dealers. However, as I say, I don't think that this grille is out of regular GMSPO parts channels just yet. Perhaps the notification that you got from gmpartsdirect was just a mistake.

GM Restoration Parts is, basically, just a licensing entity. They license various companies to reproduce particular DISCONTINUED GM parts, provide GM blue prints to the licensee, and arrange for transfer of tooling, if it's available. In some cases of recently discontinued parts, the licensee might just make arrangements with the last GM source for the part and that manufacturing source then continues to make the part on order from the licensee rather than GM. The production run of the part then goes to the licensee's facility or warehouse and is distributed therefrom. This is the sort of thing that I would expect to happen with this grille.

By the way, the last I knew, GM Restoration Parts was not even operated by GM. It is/was operated by Equity Management of San Diego, CA for GM. They handle all of the licensing and co-ordinate the transfer of GM-owned blueprints and tooling. However, they do not make or sell parts, themselves. They just facilitate the process (for a "piece of the action", I'm sure).

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: '67 GM Restoration Parts Question

Patrick,

It could be a case where GM Restoration Parts and GM Parts Direct have some sort of "non-competition" clause. GMRP may supply GMPD with the part and as a result, GMPD asks that GMRP not sell to the public. I ran into a similar situation with some reproduction pulleys.

[Frank H.]

Re: '67 GM Restoration Parts Question

In between like 1987 and 92 I saw that GM boxed midyear body parts were turning up all over so as a long time GM employee I ordered midyear bumpers,brackets fenders and upper surround panels,quarters and the warehouse starts processing the order but replys the surround panels are discountiued.So I call him and said I just saw a pile of them for sale at a show,He says the supplier had to supply GM the first 16 made after that their listed as discountiued till they have them in stock again.
The next week he calls and has 1 returned to stock,but the same shape as
two returned as defective and another defective one paid off in shipping damaged claim sitting there since 1973
Last year I noticed all the GM side exhaust listed on ebay and everywhere as NOS,But selling cheaper then before
In december local GM parts wanted 269.00 each for 65-67 big block pipe
On the internet I found them for 219.00 and 229.00 each
No sweat I can replace mine anytime
Last month they were listed as discountiued for one side then both on the web sites.

[Patrick T.]

Re: '67 GM Restoration Parts Question

Joe, you are right; the grille appears to still be in the GM parts system. The box label does not indicate it as a GM Restoration Part. The current part number is #3875746, the same number as given in the '67 AIM. See below. Patrick

[Art A.]

Re: '67 GM Restoration Parts Question

Joe, As of 1999, when I retired, GM did have an internal group for the Restoration Parts Operation, which I think is still there. They coordinate the drawings and manufacturing process. To my knowledge Equity Management JUST handles all of the licensing process and does not get involved with any manufacturing, distribution or sales of any parts. They do try to keep tabs of non licensed companies that are selling parts/literature, which is a never ending task.

Art