early shark 'stingray' emblem

[Warren F.]

Need a refresher course on spotting original production line emblem. I see these emblems in 3 and 4 post. I also see them with short and longer studs. What were the correct original ones for '70, '71?

[Sal C.]

Re: early shark 'stingray' emblem

You are looking for emblems with 4 long studs with rounded tips. The tips on the reproductions I have seen have too much of a point.

[Dave S.]

Re: early shark 'stingray' emblem

Warren,
In addition to Sal's comment the originals do not have a horizontal groove under the dot over the "i" in Stingray.

[Steven S.]

Re: early shark 'stingray' emblem

Also, the black paint on the edges only comes out part way from the back to the front. Reproductions have black all the way to the edge.

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: early shark 'stingray' emblem

Warren-----

The 1969 to E1977 "Stingray" side emblems were manufactured in several, slightly different configurations. There was not just an "early" and a "late" emblem design---it was more of an evolution. The part number, however, never changed over all the years and is still available from GM (GM #3956216).

The emblems used for 1969-70 and also, I believe, for, at least 1971 and possibly later, had several differences from later emblems used in BOTH PRODUCTION and SERVICE. First of all, these early emblems had:

1) FOUR mounting studs (actually, locating pins, since no fastners were used) and these studs were about 11/16" long;

2) a unique configuration between the "dot" and the "i";

3) a slightly thicker cross section for all the lettering of the script. The facing edge of the script was "flatter" rather than "peaked";

4) the edge of the base of the emblem was painted black; the edges of the script were chrome;

Sometime after 1972, but certainly by 1975, the configuration changed slightly as follows:

1) THREE mounting studs were used and these studs were only about 5/16" long;

2) a slightly different configuration between the "dot" and the "i";

3) a slightly thinner cross section for the script lettering. The facing edge was much more "peaked" than the flatter surface of the earlier;

Later yet, for SERVICE only, the entire edge of the scrpt lettering was painted black

Some details are pictured in the attached album.




1969-E1977 Stingray Emblem

[Harmon C.]

Re: early shark 'stingray' emblem

Good pictures Joe. You don't see many emblems with the cloth on them any more.

[Warren F.]

Re: early shark 'stingray' emblem

I was just reading on this subject in the archives, after receiving these responses. I was getting a bit more confused, as everyone was referring to a "groove" style design i.

However after Joes very helpful photo layout, I understand the differences now. I have the exact emblem that shows a cloth on the back of it, that is the style that is on my car. I was looking at some NOS emblems on ebay, that appear to be the exact one that is shown in Joes first photo, with the cloth. Was thinking of buying some extras.

Thanks a million for all the help, Joe, Sal, Dave & Lyle.

[Joe L.]

Re: early shark 'stingray' emblem

Warren------

Just how usable the "cloth-backed" emblems really are is open to question. The adhesive, which is really what retains these things to the car, is generally unusable. So, one would have to apply some other adhesive to fasten them (or, use "speed nuts" on the posts).

Also, from the perspective of originality, the original style emblems might be desirable. From the perspective of appearance, the later style emblems are much better, in my opinion. The "finer" looking script and "peaked" face look MUCH nicer than the originals.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

By the way, the picture which has the 3 emblems are as follows:

TOP-----original style 69 to ABOUT 1972 emblem

MIDDLE----an emblem as sold by GM in SERVICE in 1975

BOTTOM----GM SERVICE emblem as purchased 5 or 6 years ago.