70-72 Corvette Grilles

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  • Tom Fisher

    #1

    70-72 Corvette Grilles

    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

    #2
    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

    Comment

    • Greg Jaeb

      #3
      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

      Comment

      • Tom Fisher

        #4
        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

        Comment

        • Tom Fisher

          #5
          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

          Comment

          • Greg Jaeb

            #6
            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

            Comment

            • Greg Jaeb

              #7
              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

              Comment

              • Patrick H.
                Beyond Control Poster
                • December 1, 1989
                • 11372

                #8
                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
                Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
                71 "deer modified" coupe
                72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
                2008 coupe
                Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.

                Comment

                • Patrick H.
                  Beyond Control Poster
                  • December 1, 1989
                  • 11372

                  #9
                  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
                  Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
                  71 "deer modified" coupe
                  72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
                  2008 coupe
                  Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.

                  Comment

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