C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

[Richard M.]

Is there a particular way to tell what's reproduction vs original GM shielding? I believe some of these are repro but unshure of others. A few pics below. Most are from a buddys 69 running engine. A few pieces are 70 up I think.

Thanks,
Rich

[Sal C.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

C3 is too broad of a term if you want to know if these parts are original or not. Some would be original for a later '70s or early '80s car but not for a late '60s or early '70s car.

[Richard M.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

Ok I understand.......

but still wondering if there are any particular features that may be obvious to repro vs original. I am familiar with the C1's and some C2 differences, and have the JG's and 2 volumes of Nolands works, but have very limited knowledge of the C3 stuff.

I'm just trying to understand if these parts are original or not.

Thanks,
Rich

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

Rich, I know the the lower v/sheilds on my 72 coupe has part no.s on them, The chrome sheildings I dont believe have any numbers on them, but the chrome was not a triple plated chome it was a flash chrome process, it does look like the quality of a bumper, which is how most judges distinguished between the repro parts and factory, also the stamping process on the upper vertical sheilds at the top has quite a few wrinkles and the repro are smoother in appearance.

[Richard M.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

Edward,
What you just said about the wrinkles is exactly what I just saw on a photo of a nos original. You hit it right on the head, thanks. The chrome on these parts is really nice chrome, not the flash chrome appearance as you said also. It appears these pieces are repro. They look practically brand new with only a few scratches from wingnuts and installation "hits" though.

Several parts I think are original though.
The left-front & right-rear spark plug heat shields. They have the letter "U" inside a circle. I just saw a photo of a nos piece and it's identical.
Also, the lower shields(boomerangs) have part#'s on the forward riveted brackets, 397340?. (the last digit is on the edge and is hard to read). Is that the part # location on yours?

Thanks,
Rich

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

Rich, that part no. rings a bell on the numbers on the lower v- shields, the chrome on the heat sheilds that cover the spark plugs was a bit better that the upper vertical shields, a few years ago a neighber gave me some sheilding he removed from a 70 small block early on, the chrome on those sheilds were near perfect it was of better quality than my frenids 68 convert. his shielding is flash chrome, like the upper vertical shields. somewhere in the late 69 or 70 cars I beleived that the chrome got a little betteron those shields around thwe spark plugs .

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

One of the pieces that is easy to tell repro from original is the lid for the box. The rivets on repros are white and there are no wrinkles around the edges. Originals have yellowish clear rivets and the draw marks. The chrome is also too perfect. Originals, not so much.
Jeff

[Richard M.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

Well I must say I've learned much about C3 shields. Thanks to all for the info. This lid has perfect corners, appears white rivets turned yellow so must be repro.
For future reference here are a few photos showing the left vertical, original on left(wrinkles), repro on right(less wrinkles).

Rich

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

The parts tag on the left indicates that item is an over-the-counter- replacement. From what I can see in the picture (remember internet photos are a poor substitute for a hands-on examination) it looks like an original, so a simple removal of the tag (WD-40 works well) may turn it into an OEM piece. That tag is newer than a 1969-1972 tag, however, so I would encourage a closer examination by a skilled practitioner.

[Richard M.]

Re: C3 Radio Ignition Shielding. Repro vs Originals?

Terry, et al,

I should have mentioned I don't have the original service replacement pictured on the left. It is a file photo I found on the internet when I was researching the shield "archeology".

Thanks,
Rich