*** 1968 Grille Pics Needed ***
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,780
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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UPDATE:
WOW:
Upon very, very, close inspection while not on the car & cleaning them for paint prep, I found hints of silver paint scattered throughout here & there proving that it was definatly there & it must have worn off pretty easily. It's now obvious mine are 100% original & they were painted silver as detailed in the thread with green arrows. SEE PHOTOS including the before paint pics to compare for later. " STAY TUNED "
ANOTHER "68"LESSON LEARNED !!!
BEFORE PICS - STAY TUNED !!!
WOW:
Upon very, very, close inspection while not on the car & cleaning them for paint prep, I found hints of silver paint scattered throughout here & there proving that it was definatly there & it must have worn off pretty easily. It's now obvious mine are 100% original & they were painted silver as detailed in the thread with green arrows. SEE PHOTOS including the before paint pics to compare for later. " STAY TUNED "
ANOTHER "68"LESSON LEARNED !!!
BEFORE PICS - STAY TUNED !!!
Last edited by 427SIXPACK; Jan 25, 2012 at 04:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Once again, a big thank-you to Avalonjohn, Jaxlt1, Ironcross and PRNDL for providing info and detailed photos on what '68 grilles are to look like. These guys know their stuff when it comes to '68 Vettes. When they speak - I tend to listen. I have learned alot from them. This Forum is very helpful and it is members like the above mentioned who make it great with their invaluable knowledge and the willingness to help out other members with their cars. All you have to do is ask and they will take the time from their busy lives to provide an answer. It, my friends, does not get any better than that. 
Last edited by bkvette3; Jan 25, 2012 at 07:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 220
UPDATE:
WOW:
Upon very, very, close inspection while not on the car & cleaning them for paint prep, I found hints of silver paint scattered throughout here & there proving that it was definatly there & it must have worn off pretty easily. It's now obvious mine are 100% original & they were painted silver as detailed in the thread with green arrows. SEE PHOTOS including the before paint pics to compare for later. " STAY TUNED "
ANOTHER "68"LESSON LEARNED !!!
BEFORE PICS - STAY TUNED !!!
WOW:
Upon very, very, close inspection while not on the car & cleaning them for paint prep, I found hints of silver paint scattered throughout here & there proving that it was definatly there & it must have worn off pretty easily. It's now obvious mine are 100% original & they were painted silver as detailed in the thread with green arrows. SEE PHOTOS including the before paint pics to compare for later. " STAY TUNED "
ANOTHER "68"LESSON LEARNED !!!
BEFORE PICS - STAY TUNED !!!
FYI
The left and Right grills are for 69. If the insides were painted silver then for early 69.
Hope this helps.
Grant
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,780
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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OK - 1 Grill section down, & 2 to go........... what a......... P I T A !!
4 hours for just this one section,
I did it freehand, no tape, with a high quality pin stripers brush, with Rustolium ALUMINUM color paint. I also think i'm going to cover the silver with a clear coat to protect it.
I'll post photos of the complete set ( all 3 ) installed next month when the car is done at the body shop..............
What do ya think ???
4 hours for just this one section,
I did it freehand, no tape, with a high quality pin stripers brush, with Rustolium ALUMINUM color paint. I also think i'm going to cover the silver with a clear coat to protect it.I'll post photos of the complete set ( all 3 ) installed next month when the car is done at the body shop..............
What do ya think ???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
OK - 1 Grill section down, & 2 to go........... what a......... P I T A !!
4 hours for just this one section, I did it freehand, no tape, with a high quality pin stripers brush, with Rustolium ALUMINUM color paint. I also think i'm going to cover the silver with a clear coat to protect it.
I'll post photos of the complete set ( all 3 ) installed next month when the car is done at the body shop..............
What do ya think ???
4 hours for just this one section,
I did it freehand, no tape, with a high quality pin stripers brush, with Rustolium ALUMINUM color paint. I also think i'm going to cover the silver with a clear coat to protect it.I'll post photos of the complete set ( all 3 ) installed next month when the car is done at the body shop..............
What do ya think ???
427SIXPACK, your grilles look awesome - I think you did an excellent job on them.
When can I send you my set to detail??? 
Thanks for posting pics - I am sure others will add the silver to their grilles now. I like how it makes the grilles "POP". Just look at Ironcross' pics of his beautiful yellow '68 and jaxlt1's blue survivor '68 and you will see what I mean. BK3
Last edited by bkvette3; Jan 25, 2012 at 11:30 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 378
Likes: 19
427sixpack, during the process of removing all the bumpers/trim/what not for a repaint, vaguely recall the center grill having silver paint. The center grill is essentially hidden due to the license plate, so it was not really noticeable. The outers definitely did not have silver paint, so I guess it was some sort of QA issue. Maybe it was Monday morning or Friday afternoon when #12650 went down the line?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,780
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
427sixpack, during the process of removing all the bumpers/trim/what not for a repaint, vaguely recall the center grill having silver paint. The center grill is essentially hidden due to the license plate, so it was not really noticeable. The outers definitely did not have silver paint, so I guess it was some sort of QA issue. Maybe it was Monday morning or Friday afternoon when #12650 went down the line?
Based on all the research, other photos of cars from original owners, survivor cars, the NCRS & the partially worn off silver showing throughout all 3 of mine, this satement is incorrect.
Why would they ( GM ) put silver on just the center grill section when most states have front plates & it would'nt show anyhow ? My car originally came from a state that did'nt have a front plate therefore the license plate bracket was never installed on this car. It would look awefully silly with just that small section in the center in silver....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
427sixpack, during the process of removing all the bumpers/trim/what not for a repaint, vaguely recall the center grill having silver paint. The center grill is essentially hidden due to the license plate, so it was not really noticeable. The outers definitely did not have silver paint, so I guess it was some sort of QA issue. Maybe it was Monday morning or Friday afternoon when #12650 went down the line?
I would guess they would have ruled out the possibility of someone replacing the outer grilles and forgetting they were replacements before including that statement. Seems like it is dangerous to use logic or common sense when guessing at what GM may or may not have done.
6PACK - those grills look great! Probably not sloppy enough to pass for original factory, but still very nice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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As crazy as it sounds, the NCRS guide says that "Original cars with a painted center grille and unpainted outer grilles have also been seen."
I would guess they would have ruled out the possibility of someone replacing the outer grilles and forgetting they were replacements before including that statement. Seems like it is dangerous to use logic or common sense when guessing at what GM may or may not have done.
6PACK - those grills look great! Probably not sloppy enough to pass for original factory, but still very nice.
I would guess they would have ruled out the possibility of someone replacing the outer grilles and forgetting they were replacements before including that statement. Seems like it is dangerous to use logic or common sense when guessing at what GM may or may not have done.
6PACK - those grills look great! Probably not sloppy enough to pass for original factory, but still very nice.
Thanks, it really was a.............. P I T A !!!
&.......... I'm not looking foward to the rest of the task ahead either !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,780
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: myrtle beach sc
Army
my 2 cents worth.
I bought my 68 in July 1972. It was owned by two separate, previous girl owners, and had 22,000 miles. As stated before, the grilles are
very fragile and if you look in early 68 brochures and pictures,you can see that they warp when you tighten the screws. They used special screws to hold the grilles in place. These same screws were used to hold the headlamp shields . They had captive washers under the screw head. Zip carries them, but they are only in the combined screw,u-nut pack. Otherwise you get the generic large washer head screw that will twist up the grille or at least put a dent in the plastic. Does anyone know when the heavier closed end grille came out?
very fragile and if you look in early 68 brochures and pictures,you can see that they warp when you tighten the screws. They used special screws to hold the grilles in place. These same screws were used to hold the headlamp shields . They had captive washers under the screw head. Zip carries them, but they are only in the combined screw,u-nut pack. Otherwise you get the generic large washer head screw that will twist up the grille or at least put a dent in the plastic. Does anyone know when the heavier closed end grille came out?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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A L L D O N E
That was painful ........
I would'nt do it again for $1000.00 I have about 10 hours into them & now i'm cross eyed
The next photos will be installed back on the car
That was painful ........
I would'nt do it again for $1000.00 I have about 10 hours into them & now i'm cross eyed
The next photos will be installed back on the car
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,780
Likes: 1,935
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified