Grill color change on 69
I have a early production VIN 4242 1969 L 36. I have been told I may have the wrong grill (all black). When did they switch from the silver grill to the all black??
TY Jim
TY Jim
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Jim,
I believe it was Feb or March of 69. My 69 was built Jan 31/69 and it has the silver "tips" like the 68's do. -
Re: Grill color change on 69
James,
I have a Sept 68' L46(1291) and I have an all black grill. Maybe you can help me.
If you have manual windows, what color are the knobs, black or clear?
Also, do you have any water diverters on the bottom of the lock pillars? The early cars are supposed to have a black rubber strip that is glued on, mine has no diverter, but that could be because bubba removed it long ago. I would like to put it back if I can get a look at what it is supposed to look like. Is your car restored or original? If in original state you could really help me. I am sending my car out for paint and could use any and all pics from all areas of the vehicle. If possible could you post some pics for me?
JoeComment
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Joe------
I kind of doubt that a 1969 built as early as yours would have had the all black grilles. I would not rule it out but I kind of doubt it. Keep in mind that the 68-E69 grilles were discontinued from SERVICE in mid-to-late 1969 and replaced by the 1969 style "all black". So, after that time any replacement would have been the all black. These grilles are plastic and over a period of 40 years, there's a good chance they would have required replacement for a number of reasons.
You also may want to look closely at the grilles. It's possible that the "silver" facing is just worn away. If you look closely, you might find some evidence of its once being present. Also, the 1969 grilles are not otherwise the same as 1968 except for the "silver" leading edge. There is also a slight difference in the actual configuration of the grille.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Joe
Can you please provide your email. I'm having difficulty attaching the photos to this thread.
Thanks, Jim
jmbbb4320@sbcglobal.net
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Joe Lucia........
Thanks for the info and now I am trying to figure this out. The TIM indicates what you are saying, but the other book (Richard Prince) I bought indicates the opposite. I guess I should throw that book out as I am guessing it is wrong.
I cannot find any silver paint on the edges of my grill. The LH part number matches the AIM (3966553) and my brackets around the parking lamp do not look like what is shown on pg246 in the AIM. My lower bracket is sort of L shaped and was fastened to the lower valance by 2 hex head screws. Thus, the tabs in the grill just above and below the parking lamp are used to secure the grill, not the parking lamp studs.
So, I definitely do not have the later mounting bracket, but based on the part number which grill do I have? Did the painted vs unpainted still use the same part number? You indicate that there is an actual difference in the grill itself, can you elaborate? I would like to know if the grilles I have are the correct part number, just unpainted or if the are totally wrong altogether.
Regards,
JoeComment
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Joe-----
Based on the part number (and assuming the other grilles are 3966554, right, and 3966555, center), you have the later 1969 grilles. As I mentioned, I seriously doubt these grilles were ever originally used on a 1969 as early as yours. The "non silver" leading edge grilles were not of the same part number as the earlier. While you can "paint" the leading edges of the later grilles to SIMULATE the earlier style, there is a slight difference in the actual configuration of the grilles. At the moment, though, I can't recall just what it was.
The later grilles will work with the earlier brackets, though. In fact, were that not the case, the later grilles could not have been used as SERVICE for 1968.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Thanks again for all the info. Yes, my other grille pieces are the numbers you mentioned. Would you be able to post the part numbers for the grilles that would most likely have been original to my car. That would help me in my quest for the correct grilles.
JoeComment
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Hi Joseph
Here is a pic of the early 69 ORIGINAL take offs plastic grills. These do not have part numbers as I think GM replacements has the part numbers. You can see the pic of the back on the flat area....no numbers. I have some NOS ones in the box and they have the part numbers as Joe mentioned.
You can also see the lousy way they painted the silver on the grills. On the bottom is lighter.
Hope this helps.
GrantComment
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Hi Joseph
Here is a picture of a early 68 car serial number 403XX This car is an original survivor that got top flighted. There is no water diverter. I judged a June 68 17K original mile and it had the water diverter.
Hope this helps.
GrantComment
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Re: Grill color change on 69
Everyone,
Great info thanks a bunch.
JoeComment
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