Question regarding originality
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Question regarding originality
Hoping you experts can help me with something regarding my '70 coupe.
Several metal trim pieces which would typically be painted to match the body are chromed on my car. It appears that this was done long ago (there's much pitting) and I'm wondering if this was a factory or dealer installed option or is this something a PO did independently? I have seen a few other cars with the same parts done so I'm not sure....
Here are some pics.
Several metal trim pieces which would typically be painted to match the body are chromed on my car. It appears that this was done long ago (there's much pitting) and I'm wondering if this was a factory or dealer installed option or is this something a PO did independently? I have seen a few other cars with the same parts done so I'm not sure....
Here are some pics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
The fender louvers, wiper door & astro vent grills should be painted.
The fender louvers should have only the horizontal edges chrome. Some guts like the chrome look.
The grill should have chrome edges, but within each square it is painted a dark grey. There's a specific color but don't know the paint #. Eddie 70 knows the correct paint #. Do a search on grill paint, it may come up.
Glenn
The fender louvers should have only the horizontal edges chrome. Some guts like the chrome look.
The grill should have chrome edges, but within each square it is painted a dark grey. There's a specific color but don't know the paint #. Eddie 70 knows the correct paint #. Do a search on grill paint, it may come up.
Glenn
Last edited by GD70; Mar 11, 2009 at 05:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,220
Likes: 4,308
From: Westminster Maryland
To follow-up on GD's info:
The front grills and side grills were originally chrome plated, and then detailed with paint.
The wiper grill and astro-vent grills were cast pot metal and originally were painted body color.
Regards,
Alan
The front grills and side grills were originally chrome plated, and then detailed with paint.
The wiper grill and astro-vent grills were cast pot metal and originally were painted body color.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Thanks guys, I know how they are typically finished. What I'm wondering is if there was a factory option or common dealer option for all of these parts to be fully chromed, an "appearance group" if you will or did an early owner just decide they would all look good that way and get it done independently.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
For what it's worth ...
I recall seeing a white vette in the early 70s that had chrome side grilles. I did not talk to the owner, so perhaps the paint had been removed on them. That's the only part that the OP asks about that I have seen chromed without a finish paint.
More recently, I have seen other chrome finished side grilles, but the one I saw long ago would seem more credible ... if at all credible.
As a side note, a few years ago, I bought a chrome finished side grille ... I just looked at it again ... and it has no signs of paint 'anywhere'. A PO could have done a superb job of removing all paint, including overspray on the backside, but it was from a white '71.
I recall seeing a white vette in the early 70s that had chrome side grilles. I did not talk to the owner, so perhaps the paint had been removed on them. That's the only part that the OP asks about that I have seen chromed without a finish paint.
More recently, I have seen other chrome finished side grilles, but the one I saw long ago would seem more credible ... if at all credible.
As a side note, a few years ago, I bought a chrome finished side grille ... I just looked at it again ... and it has no signs of paint 'anywhere'. A PO could have done a superb job of removing all paint, including overspray on the backside, but it was from a white '71.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
You missed what Alan told you. The front grilles and side grilles were chrome plated [all over] when they were made. Then they were painted body color as required before installation. The other items are 'pot' metal, were not chrome plated, and were painted entirely with body color.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
You missed what Alan told you. The front grilles and side grilles were chrome plated [all over] when they were made. Then they were painted body color as required before installation. The other items are 'pot' metal, were not chrome plated, and were painted entirely with body color.
I've also mentioned this before in an older post ... and I'll say it again ... my original '70 was delivered to me with no chrome showing on the side grilles. I can't prove that either ... because I liked the looks of the chrome showing on them, so in 72, a cousin and I scraped off the horizontal raised edges with razor blades.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
I didn't miss what Alan said at all ... I'm just pointing out that there may have been some that weren't painted over the chrome. I may have one ... but, for sure, can't prove it.
I've also mentioned this before in an older post ... and I'll say it again ... my original '70 was delivered to me with no chrome showing on the side grilles. I can't prove that either ... because I liked the looks of the chrome showing on them, so in 72, a cousin and I scraped off the horizontal raised edges with razor blades.
I've also mentioned this before in an older post ... and I'll say it again ... my original '70 was delivered to me with no chrome showing on the side grilles. I can't prove that either ... because I liked the looks of the chrome showing on them, so in 72, a cousin and I scraped off the horizontal raised edges with razor blades.
cc
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 640
Likes: 1
From: Mertztown Pa
I wonder how late they changed this. I have a late 70 and it has things on it that should have been different. I do not have the duel snorkel, but I know it is an old air cleaner from the silk screen. I also have the screwless grills.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Check the appropriate AIM page for a revision date and revision note. When changes of this nature were made, the AIM was revised. Remember, the "new" grilles could have been at St. Louis and being installed on the line before the actual AIM revision date. The NCRS Judging Guide is also a good source for running change information.
