Repro Die Cast Emblem quality (69)

[Greg L.]

I'm debating on getting my original emblems, letters, numbers, hood inserts or anything that is chromed die cast replated or replaced on my 69 and was wondering how good the reproductions are out there. I know it won't be cheap to replate my originals because there is some pitting on some of them and plating die cast is more expensive than plain steel.

I'm leaning towards getting repros for now and if I get the urge to upgrade my plating skills to chrome then I'll try and restore them myself. So from a judge's perspective, do the current repro die cast emblems cut it on the judging field or are they easy to pick out?

Thanks.

Greg Linton
#45455

[Steven C.]

Re: Repro Die Cast Emblem quality (69)

Greg,

I'm not a judge, but I am restoring my '69, and noticed something interesting. The nose crossed-flag emblem I found NOS is not as "nice" as the repro (mainly the red paint on the flag).

I suspect that judges can pick out repro emblems based on them being too good.

Steve

[Kent K.]

Re: Repro Die Cast Emblem quality (69)

Greg,

Side script Stingray replacement (later version) and/or reproduction emblems are easily discernable from original version. Joe Lucia carefully explained and photographed both for me when I asked the question about them in particular. Two differences stand out: (1) the top flat part of the script is wider on originals than on replacements/reproductions and (2) originals have 4 long studs versus 3 shorter studs on later versions and reproductions.

If their condition is only slightly objectionable, you might try touching up the black painted shadow base outline area and polish the chrome letters. Clean dried polish from around the letters with an old dry tooth brush and they should be presentable for judging purposes.

Sorry, I can't help with differences on the other emblems but will 'stay tuned' for an education from more experienced posters.

Kent #6201

[tom444634]

Re: Repro Die Cast Emblem quality (69)

Greg,

The cross flags, the "Stingray" and the tail panel "Corvette" letters are available through GM restoration parts. I use them in some displays I make and they are, for the most part, nice emblems quality wise.

You are correct that some of the repro emblems look much better then the GM ones, but as you said, the judges can spot them from a mile away. Especially on the cross flags where the colors actually fill the areas on the emblems, where as the GM ones allow for the recesses in the emblems to show.

I bought a set of repro cross flags for the gas lid and the nose on my 71 LS5 just to see what they looked like. The gas lid fit fine, but the mounting studs for the nose emblem were too far apart to fit where the original one was.

Tom

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Repro Die Cast Emblem quality (69)

Tom

were those trim parts? I put a nose set on a friends 69 the other day and they fit fine. He had a cheep one on and the paint was just wiped out in a few weeks. I looked at the one on my 71 car. sure it was from GM that I bought in the early 80s, can not say for sure but the paint was not that good on it, in the red part of the flag more of a orange color. the new one from tim parts was real bright red in color.

[tom444634]

Re: Repro Die Cast Emblem quality (69)

Kelly,

No they were not Trim Parts. They were an off brand that I picked up on ebay just to see the quality. I have used Trim Parts Emblems for other things and they do a nice job with them

The picture shows the repro one on the top, the currently available one from GM and my original one. One of the tell tail signs on the repro one is around the bow tie. Notice how the red floods it and it doesn't make it all the way to the center like the other two. Also the checkered area is flooded with color as opposed to painted.

Tom