Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

[Donald H.]

I have some GM service replacement emblems that are in decent shape which have the silver in the V and lettering. If I don't use these then I will buy reproductions ones which I know are not correct either.

Is there a C1 judge out there that can tell me which will take the least hit? Originality of the front and rear emblem is 14 points.

Thanks,

Don

[Pat H.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

Don,
I'm not the expert, but I've judged a number of these cars. In my opioion, the silver GM replacements are close to the original gold ones. I give the same deductions for either. usually a few points. The Gold Reproductions are getting better, but the "R" in chevrolet is not crisp and there is a gold outline on the black and white flag that the originals did not have. I just bought 2 silver ones at a swap meet in the box real cheap, because the seller wanted gold ones. Save your money.

[Joe M.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

Pat, what is your opinion of the attached emblem photos?

[Pat H.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

Joe, From you photographs, these look pretty good. I don't see the gold line on the upper B&W flag and the bowtie looks as if it touches the gold V. Are these originals? I did see one at a swap meet, but Dave Heitzman got it before me.

[Joe M.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

I started with a silver GM service replacement emblem, removed the silver and replaced it with gold.

TE=Pat Heimrath (28537);610286]Joe, From you photographs, these look pretty good. I don't see the gold line on the upper B&W flag and the bowtie looks as if it touches the gold V. Are these originals? I did see one at a swap meet, but Dave Heitzman got it before me.[/QUOTE]

[Donald H.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

Pat, I learn something every day. So if the bowtie touches the V it is likely a genuine GM product and not a reproduction? Is this also true for the service replacements? Are the service replacement exactly like the originals except for the silver versus gold paint?

I know this is a question without an answer, but I wonder why Trim Parts didn't use an original to make their mold from so that the bowtie and other features are not correct to the originals.


Here one of my service replacements. I need to figure out how to polish out the surfaces scratches. Not are very deep, just from normal wear and tear.



emblem.jpg

[Joe M.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

i contacted the Trim Parts owner and tried to discuss the quality of the repro he is producing, but he was offended and stated that it was accurate down to the last detail and would not discuss it further. He said it was a licensed GM part; given the inaccuracy of his emblem, means nothing.

The GM service replacements are very similar to the originals except for the following details:
Service replacement weigh 4 ounces, originals weigh 6 ounces
Service replacements have silver lettering, flag poles, and small details inside the red flag
Service replacements have silver on the flag edges, both flags, original flag edges were either white or red

The attached photos are original 1960 emblem, GM service replacement, and Trim Parts repro

Regarding scratch removal, I use Novus #2 Fine Scratch Remover (purchase it via internet) or find a motorcycle shop and purchase the scratch remover designed for polycarbonate windshields. Apply the Novus with a clean cloth, rub it vigorously until most of it disappears, then use a high speed buffer with lambs wool buffing bonnet, but don't leave the buffer down on the plastic more than a few seconds, then lift it off the emblem so heat does not build up. Plastic polish really makes them shine.
I att

[John F.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

This is an original trunk emblem early 62 #0029 if this helps.

[Justin B.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

So, if you are able to find some nice GM replacements and remove the silver, who can put in the gold?

[Donald H.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

So, if you are able to find some nice GM replacements and remove the silver, who can put in the gold?

Contact Joe in post 7 above. He offers this service

[Joe M.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

I developed a process to remove the silver and replace it with gold, not gold paint. The photo below shows what the emblem looks like with gold.

[Joe M.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

John's photo of his 1962 emblem depicts what happens as the gold layer deteriorates; the silver layer behind the gold starts showing through. I have seen original emblems that the gold layer is completed gone and the bright silver layer is all that remains. The silver layer was added on the back of the gold to make the gold brighter as the gold layer is extremely thin compared to the silver layer. The flags generally remain in good to excellent condition even after 50+ years. Occasionally they need to be touched up.

Now that I am fairly certain of the process used to make the emblems from 1958 - 1962, it amazes me that the vendor made thousands of them, for 1960 year alone, 20,800+ and spare emblems! The checkered flags were hand painted; black squares first, then white paint over the entire flag. The red flag appears to have been sprayed since there are never any brush marks.

[Joe M.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

DO NOT attempt to remove the silver with any type of solvent. Solvents cause spider cracks in a fraction of a second on all emblems. Trust me on this. Send me a PM if you wish to discuss.

[Tom D.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

GM NOS (Silver not Gold) purchased in the late 70s or 80s does not have the thickness of the Originals off my 1960. I have no idea of the thickness of the reproductions. As a result, I cannot get the NOS version to "rise up" flush with the bezel, as the the original does.

[Joe M.]

Re: Judging Points question re: 1960 Front and Rear emblem

Tom, I purchased a couple of emblems off of ebay and apparently
the previous owners had the same problem as you. It looked they had taken a dremel tool with a small grinding wheel and went around the circumference and ground down the plastic until the b
ezel slips down over the emblem. The grind marks are not visible when the emblem is on the car.