Stroh

A recent thread included the following pic of a C3 with a side louvre vent accent that I thought was very sharp...



and it got me to thinking about how I want to add a grill/gill/eggcrate/acccent to my side fender vent as well.

While I know it's a matter of taste, I'd like to guage what members think of these covers and see if anybody has fabricated some of their own since the last thread on this discussed the possibility.

How many of you guys prefer the eggcrate?


Who likes the 68-69 gills better?


Anybody like the look of the C5 insert best?


Lastly, who has (if anyone) tried to modify these things to fit the open vents of the 73-82? Or if you were going to try to make a pair, how would you and what materials would you suggest? Fiberglass? Carbon Fiber? Molded plastic?

I'm all ears, gents (and ladies?).

73Corvette

I would think metal would be a better choice for you so you could chrome them to match your mirrors, handles, and luggage rack.....tie them all together.

keithinspace

I don't know. If you have a very custom car, I'd say that whatever you pick would be fun. Otherwise, I prefer to see the right gills on the right car. Otherwise it seems like you're trying too hard.

Of course, the PO of my 1970 put 1973 gills on mine, so I don't have any room to talk. I have the originals, but they're the same 1979 DISCO GREEN color the entire car was before it was black. You know my original hood is still that green? And on the stinger, the guy has an "overlay" stripe in a darker green where he spray-painted through LACE? A Corvette Doily, for heaven's sake! Like I said. Sometimes trying to be different ends up like you're trying a little too hard...

Stroh

Corvette Doily??? Unbelievable. Hilarious.

Keith, I'd be interested in those gills -- disco green or not -- for a reasonable price. Might make my decision really easy.

jcloving

I prefer the car to look as it did from the factory....on the other hand, there was a forum guy here that developed a stainless steel screen for that vent. It looked pretty good. You may want to look into that as well.

Sonny71

I always went with stock egg crate on my '71, will admit I do prefer the gills.

Mgrad92

The 68-69 gills are definitely my favorite. But they would be rather difficult to put on your 75. The chrome accents on the yellow C3 above would look good without being over the top.

~Stingray

I think the yellow vette pic is cool looking but obviously only for looks. Its not like you are chroming a grill, you are just putting on accents. Kind of the realm of "trying too hard" as someone mentioned. But I still like them.

I am not a fan of the egg crates.

I like the 69 vents but I would not modify my body to get them.

If you want the extra nice look, go with the yellow vette's design. Or just get your original vent and chrome it. I think the "pulling them all together" idea is the best way to go.

keithinspace

I'll try and post a picture of the original hood. I store it above my car in the garage.

And I appreciate the offer, but my eggcrates will eventually find themselves back onto my car.

Stroh

If only the aftermarket "stinger hood" from your 70 would fit my 75... I always wanted one (even with a Doily). I'm sure I'd paint it though. Thanks for the quick reply.

Learning_Curve

I'm liking the c5-style, but it would be hard to adapt to all those curves in the 73-79 fender scoop. This is something I've been thinking about since seeing this in another thread:

69 Chevy

Stingrays have gills. And '69 Stingrays had the TJ2 optional louver trim for the gills. Chrome header sidepipes is just gilding the lily.

Linas

What about something different? 68-69 gills, reversed and glassed in to create Motion-like look. The previous owner of my '71 resto mod thought of this solution and it looks very nice

~Stingray

That is pretty cool. I wish I know how to just add parts to a car and make it look like it was suppose to be there.

Dose11

Ahhh Rolling Thunder...one of my top 5 Corvette on the Forum!!!

I also believe there was a thread...someone has molds to make Gills!

The reverse gills are nice though I really like that look.

Help me out guys, who has the molds to make Gills, I know I read that thread in the past!

rogman16

I really like this look...

Rogman

xCCTer

Me too.

Mgrad92

YES! Best looking side vents so far.

AdamMeh

Very clean and you don't even notice it unless you're at the right angle. This would be my favorite so far.

Adam

oldgto

I`ve got a 71, and plan to use the stock egg crates with just the ridges chromed, and the rest painted the body color, just as the factory did it. I much prefer the earlier gills though. And I, too, REALLY like this....