Is the grill color of a 1970 the same as a 71 or 72?

I'm repainting the grills in my 70 so I bought some Dupli-Color Import Auto Spray dark grey # 8800564 as recomended by Butch R in this thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1561228

But one of my grills has been replaced by a 71/72 style grill and its a different color. You can see in the pic the top (Rh grill) and bottom (center grill) are 1970 original and are much darker than the middle (Lh grill) which is the 71/72 style replacement. The cap in the pic is from a can of the recomended Dupli-Color #8800564 and in person it matches pretty close to the middle 71/72 grill.


Anyone know anything about the proper color?

 

mine are flat black inside each square and metal on the front surface.

 

I've owned 4 '70's, 3 '71's and 2 '72's, all had the original front grilles. They all appeared to be the same color. The GM new old stock grilles do seem to be a tad shade lighter than those on the production line vehicles.

 

I posted it in that thread you linked. Here it is.




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Had the grill formula for a long time. posted awhile back




Gray: Dupont 863-42103 to match WOA-3406" (one paint dealer reports to match WOE-340 in 1998) This spec, which is off the original print, may mean little to a Dupont supplier. Use code 9931 below for current (in 1999) match.
Use primer/sealer first then:
use Dupont code 9931 at 5% gloss level. (a flattener will have to be added to achieve this level) This code also includes an additive that will yield the rough surface of the gray area.

Upon calling Dupont directly, the Dupont Number 863-42103 is not found in their data files,but the Old Stock# Dupont code 9931 is, and is superceded by their new number for DK GRAY METALIC 723199 and that formulation date was 8/2/1990.Both paint codes were acrylic laquer,or Lucite.
The paint shops reccommend a color photo to match the existing color,since laquer here in N.Y. is no longer available.The paint can be made in a Base Coat Clear Coat.
Dupont was kind enough to fax the ingredients of the Grey 723199.Their phone number is 1-800-338-7668.

 

If you want an NCRS rated job, use the advice above. Otherwise, just go to the auto parts store and buy some "cast iron" look spray paint. The real trick is not the painting....but the masking. Don't forget that the inside surfaces of the chrome outer rails are painted the cast iron color, also. Many folks leave these areas chrome by mistake.

 

sorry if I mis informed you. mine are grey, but thought they had faded from age. Good info above.
On a different subject, Dennis, do you happen to have photos of your both sides carb up close? Is it stock? My secondaries lockout lever seems to just swing freely and when engine is warm they still wont open and I don't see what pushes against it to free them up. I asked on a previous thread about heat riser helping and got many different opinions.
Thanks, Glenn

 

Most 70 vettes did not have screws in the chrome molding. They had studs. So yours might be from a 71. I do know some late 70's did have the screws. 70 corvettes had a lot of one year only parts, ask Dennis he will confirm this. We both have been looking for 70 parts.

 

My carb is stock,(7040207). I have a spare I could take pics and post, but check this pic out. Its a choke control for my,(your) car. I had posted on the NCRS board about it. Think it was the spring location. I'll try to find it. It effects the rate the choke opens and closes.

 

Hey Dennis, Thanks. Does that spring push against the lockout bar, or only once it's warmed up? I'll have to go check on mine to see if I have one.
Glenn

 

It isn't suppose to be where it's located in the photo(1). It should be on the piece marked "4" just below. Doesn't contact the lock out lever. This is hard to explain, but here's 2 more pics from a spare 7040207. I'll try. as you can see the lock out lever is well,"locked out".

What puts the lever in the locked out position is that arm with the steps in photo #2. It has a little nub on the rear end that you can see contacting the lock out lever. Works like a see-saw. When the front of that arm is down, the rear of it pushes on the upper part of the lock out lever, clearing the lower end of it from that shaft as seen in photo #1. What pulls that arm down in front and away from the lock out lever is that piece I first posted with the spring. The hole in that piece is where the choke rod goes. As the choke heats it opens and pushes the rod up, swinging that #4 bracket clockwise which in turn pushes the front of the arm and so on. Totally confused now??? Last link is a video working the linkage.

 

I just painted my '72 front grille assemblies with semi-gloss black ceramic paint, and painted the center grille torch red (to match the color of the car.) It looks great! I don't have a concours correct vette, so I do whatever I think looks good - tastefully of course.

JimT

 

Got any pics of it Jim. I would like to see how it turned out. I would like to do something to my grills too to make them look a little better. They are the stockers and are very hard to come by for a 70.

 

Eddie,
I'll get a few pics and forward to you. Drop me an email with a forwarding email address. Mine is "jtison448@aol.com".

Jim Tison
'72 Stingray

 

The top grill in my posted picture above is the original 1970 one and it has the studs and the darker paint color. I know the middle one in the above pic is a replacement because it has the 71/72 style 3 hole mounting but its also lighter in color.

Thanks to all who replied for the great advise. Im still not sure why I have two different colors on my grills though.

I was looking at a catalog where they have the unavailable center grill sitting next to a non-center grill and the center grill looks darker. Are center grills supposed to be the same color as the other front grills or are they normally darker? Maybe the exposed chrome edge of the eggcrates in the non-center grills makes them look a liitle lighter.

 

Dennis, Thanks so much! Once it warms up just a bit I'll rip my fingers from the frozen metal and compare my carb to what you described. The carb the previous owner put on is a 71 refurbished, and I guess pretty close to a 70, runs fine, just not that sweet roar and power I hope this engine has. I'll check out the video link. Again, thanks, Glenn

 

I believe that the center grills were painted a flat or semi-flat black with no chrome leading edge. Don't know why, but I think that's how they came from the factory. Just having a good center grill is a plus...they are not sold in the aftermarket--just swap meets, eBay, etc.

 

I found the perfect match. If I can figure out how to put pictures on here I will.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9261028...in/photostream

 

Hi c,
The color looks very good.
Your picture looks very similar to the color in this picture.
What is the color/source of your sample?
Regards,
Alan

 

I have been researching this to try and get the perfect match and I walk into autozone and the first paint I see is VHT wheel paint. They had a light, medium and dark. I bought the medium thinking what the heck I'll try it. The picture is off my original 1970. I don't know how you could get it any closer. I hope this helps everyone! O the paint code is SP189 graphite. May I add it was only $7.00! Alan, that picture you posted is your center grill? Mine is a flat black not the same as the outer grills. I have known my car since day 1 and I'm sure it's 100% original.