Question on 71 side grills

[david smith]

If Terry or someone could help me with a question on the side grills on an early 71. My grills have vertical chrome bars and vin # is 632, I know the judging manual says before #1447 they should be 70 style without vertical bars but the assembly manual calls for the change to part #3995017-8 dated on 6-29-70? (which are what my side grills are) Was this info only for future installs? I do have 70 style front grills so I'm assuming the side grills may not be correct. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, David

[Terry M.]

Re: Question on 71 side grills

David,

There is no relationship between the front grilles and the side grilles, so that fact that you have 1970 front grilles has no bearing on the side grilles.

Basically they put in the style they had on hand for front or side grilles. We even see a mix of styles on the side grilles, but not the front. (Your didn't ask about the fronts, so I won't go into the reasons why the fronts were not mixed.)

Are you sure you have 1971 style side grilles, not just 1970 style with the verticals unpainted? Check the photos on Page 35 of the third edition of the 1970-1972 TIM&JG.

You could have 1971 style side grilles, but I would not expect that, and in fact it is not typical of 1971 Corvettes as early as yours.

Terry