70-72 Corvette Grilles

[Tom Fisher]

Hi,

A newcomer to this forum, and it is most impressive...Could someone kindly give me a summary overview of the design differences (if any) between 70, 71 and 72 grille assemblies? Also, is there a simple way to tell an NOS grille from a reproduction?

[Greg Jaeb]

Re: 70-72 Corvette Grilles

Tom
The grills are primarily the same with subtle changes.
In 1971 the mounting method changed to using three recessed screws in the outer chrome rail, two of these were spaced apart in the lower horizontal rail, visible while facing the front of the car the 1970 version did not have these.
In 1972 the hole for the fiber optic cable at the top of the park lamp housing was done away with making it different from the previous two years.
Keep in mind that design changes did not occur at exact model year change.
You could have a late 70 with the visible screw heads or a late 71 without fiber optic.
Greg

[Greg Jaeb]

Re: 70-72 Corvette Grilles

Tom
The grills are primarily the same with subtle changes.
In 1971 the mounting method changed to using three recessed screws in the outer chrome rail, two of these were spaced apart in the lower horizontal rail, visible while facing the front of the car the 1970 version did not have these.
In 1972 the hole for the fiber optic cable at the top of the park lamp housing was done away with making it different from the previous two years.
Keep in mind that design changes did not occur at exact model year change.
You could have a late 70 with the visible screw heads or a late 71 without fiber optic.
Greg

[Tom Fisher]

Re: 70-72 Corvette Grilles

Greg,

Thank you for the succinct and fast response. Is there anyway to quickly ID a reproduction grille from the real thing?

Tom

[Tom Fisher]

Re: 70-72 Corvette Grilles

Greg,

Thank you for the succinct and fast response. Is there anyway to quickly ID a reproduction grille from the real thing?

Tom

[Greg Jaeb]

Re: 70-72 Corvette Grilles

Tom I've never had a set of repros in my hand to compare and answer you correctly. But to my knowledge only the 71 style is available as a repro, meaning that they will have the two screw holes and the fiber optic hole mentioned earlier.
So if you have a 70 w/no screw holes or a 72 without optic hole they should be original.
Maybe someone else can shed a little more light on your reproduction question.
Greg

[Greg Jaeb]

Re: 70-72 Corvette Grilles

Tom I've never had a set of repros in my hand to compare and answer you correctly. But to my knowledge only the 71 style is available as a repro, meaning that they will have the two screw holes and the fiber optic hole mentioned earlier.
So if you have a 70 w/no screw holes or a 72 without optic hole they should be original.
Maybe someone else can shed a little more light on your reproduction question.
Greg

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70-72 Corvette Grilles

Tom,

To date there has not been a reproduction of this grille, eithr Left or Right side (unless it JUST came out).

Until last year, you could still purchase the 1971 style grilles (screw holes in front vs. 1970 studs, and fiber optic holes vs. none in 1972) from GM. These later GM parts can be identified by 1) paint that was the wrong color and texture (too light, and went too far onto the grille's front edge, adn was smooth) and 2) the pot metal will be broken away in chunks. To see what I mean, turn one over. Where the mold seams exist, large portions of the metal will be missing. After 30 years the molds were in poor shape.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70-72 Corvette Grilles

Tom,

To date there has not been a reproduction of this grille, eithr Left or Right side (unless it JUST came out).

Until last year, you could still purchase the 1971 style grilles (screw holes in front vs. 1970 studs, and fiber optic holes vs. none in 1972) from GM. These later GM parts can be identified by 1) paint that was the wrong color and texture (too light, and went too far onto the grille's front edge, adn was smooth) and 2) the pot metal will be broken away in chunks. To see what I mean, turn one over. Where the mold seams exist, large portions of the metal will be missing. After 30 years the molds were in poor shape.

Patrick