72 center grill - was it chrome?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
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From: Prosper TX
72 center grill - was it chrome?
I have a 72 and when I bought it there was no center grill. I ordered a used one and it does not have the chrome front edge like the right and left front grills. Is this the way it was made in 72? From what I recall 70-72 used the same center grill (at least in size not sure about finish).
Also anyone know how I could go about making this one look like the left and right front grills?
If not I am thinking about chroming all 3 of them completely. (any comments on this idea?)
What have others done? Pictures would be nice.
Thanks
Also anyone know how I could go about making this one look like the left and right front grills?
If not I am thinking about chroming all 3 of them completely. (any comments on this idea?)
What have others done? Pictures would be nice.
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 18
From: Boca Raton Florida
I have a 72 and when I bought it there was no center grill. I ordered a used one and it does not have the chrome front edge like the right and left front grills. Is this the way it was made in 72? From what I recall 70-72 used the same center grill (at least in size not sure about finish).
Also anyone know how I could go about making this one look like the left and right front grills?
If not I am thinking about chroming all 3 of them completely. (any comments on this idea?)
What have others done? Pictures would be nice.
Thanks
Also anyone know how I could go about making this one look like the left and right front grills?
If not I am thinking about chroming all 3 of them completely. (any comments on this idea?)
What have others done? Pictures would be nice.
Thanks
I personally didn't care for the grilles (front or side) so I changed them back in the early 80s. A friend of mine customized his side grilles by cutting all the horizontal bars out so it looked more like the 80-82 side grilles. I went the other way and cut all the vertical bars out.
While I was at it, I replaced the front grille with an Ecklers custom bar grille. It required a fair bit of fabrication to get rid of the indentation in the center and form a new grille opening. I did this back when you could pick up a '72 big block in decent shape for $4.000.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The center grille was not chromed, but was painted black at the factory. I tried the "make it look like the side pieces" method, and it didn't look all that good. I ended up putting a 'Corvette' style [license] plate over it to improve the appearance.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
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From: Prosper TX
well after look at the brackets it sits further back than I would like. IMO it would look better if it was further out and flush with the other grill parts. Does anyone know if someone makes a longer bracket to accomplish this? I guess I could look to make my own but if someone already sells one I would rather just go that route.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,286
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C-i-t,
I believe the center grill had a similar finish to the 'painted' areas of the 2 other front grills. It appears to me to be a dark grey, with a bit of 'sparkle' when in sunlight, and a slight texture.
Personally I think there's enough chrome showing on the front of 70-72 cars so don't see the need to add anymore.
For years I didn't run a front plate and moved the grill forward about 2" by making spacers out of plastic pipe and using longer screws.
Regards,
Alan
I believe the center grill had a similar finish to the 'painted' areas of the 2 other front grills. It appears to me to be a dark grey, with a bit of 'sparkle' when in sunlight, and a slight texture.
Personally I think there's enough chrome showing on the front of 70-72 cars so don't see the need to add anymore.
For years I didn't run a front plate and moved the grill forward about 2" by making spacers out of plastic pipe and using longer screws.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 30, 2010 at 04:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
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From: Prosper TX
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,286
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C in t,
You can use the same u-nuts in the bracket if you can find long enough dry-wall type screws. They even have a cross head, so they don't look too much like you've used screen door parts on your car.
Regards,
Alan
You can use the same u-nuts in the bracket if you can find long enough dry-wall type screws. They even have a cross head, so they don't look too much like you've used screen door parts on your car.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
was the only change from up north in Maryland...stopped the FREEWAY heat problem, the rest was replacing the fans with Dual Spals....
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 155
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From: Bowmanville Ontario
That old ecklers grille is VERY cool!!! Would love one!! Any idea how i get my hands on one? tia, paul
Would love one!! Any idea how i get my hands on one? tia, paulThe original center grill does not have the chrome edges. You could sand the finish off the edges and clear coat it to make it look like the other two sections. Chroming all of them will probably be pretty pricey but if you like the eggcrate look, it would really stand out.
I personally didn't care for the grilles (front or side) so I changed them back in the early 80s. A friend of mine customized his side grilles by cutting all the horizontal bars out so it looked more like the 80-82 side grilles. I went the other way and cut all the vertical bars out.
While I was at it, I replaced the front grille with an Ecklers custom bar grille. It required a fair bit of fabrication to get rid of the indentation in the center and form a new grille opening. I did this back when you could pick up a '72 big block in decent shape for $4.000.
I personally didn't care for the grilles (front or side) so I changed them back in the early 80s. A friend of mine customized his side grilles by cutting all the horizontal bars out so it looked more like the 80-82 side grilles. I went the other way and cut all the vertical bars out.
While I was at it, I replaced the front grille with an Ecklers custom bar grille. It required a fair bit of fabrication to get rid of the indentation in the center and form a new grille opening. I did this back when you could pick up a '72 big block in decent shape for $4.000.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 18
From: Boca Raton Florida
The grille is made of odd shaped extruded aluminum but you could probably make a better one (or have it made) using a "billet" grille design.
The construction of the grille looks pretty simple. If you'd like more details, let me know.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Bowmanville Ontario
Thanks, for checking ecklers. I couldn't find anything for a 72 either. I would like to take you up on your offer of more info. Where to start.
What do you mean by "using a billet grille design"?
Were the factory grilles sacraficed to keep the signal lights or did signal lights come as part of the ecklers grille?
TIA, Paul
What do you mean by "using a billet grille design"?
Were the factory grilles sacraficed to keep the signal lights or did signal lights come as part of the ecklers grille?
TIA, Paul
From my 1985 Ecklers receipt I did a search on the part number and description, "A6882 68-72 Custom Grille" and nothing came back.
The grille is made of odd shaped extruded aluminum but you could probably make a better one (or have it made) using a "billet" grille design.
The construction of the grille looks pretty simple. If you'd like more details, let me know.
The grille is made of odd shaped extruded aluminum but you could probably make a better one (or have it made) using a "billet" grille design.
The construction of the grille looks pretty simple. If you'd like more details, let me know.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 18
From: Boca Raton Florida
The Ecklers grille has extruded aluminum pieces pop riveted to the verticals.
The center of the extrusion had a pie slice cut out, was bent and the two sides welded back together.
Were the factory grilles sacraficed to keep the signal lights or did signal lights come as part of the ecklers grille?
TIA, Paul
TIA, Paul
The lower valance fiberglass was formed up with some 1/32" Formica and the rolled edge applied to an aluminum angle using a length of split 1/2" PVC as a form for the fiberglass.
Last edited by Bob Heine; Feb 13, 2011 at 05:25 PM.
mine is moved forward with a homemade bracket. looks much better. 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Bowmanville Ontario
agreed, it looks better with the centre grille moved forward. it looks like it could be moved forward even more, to be aligned even with the left and right grilles. My guess is you didn't want the centre grille to over hang at the bottom.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Bowmanville Ontario
GREAT INFO!! Much appreciated.
It's a BUMMER though, I don't want to trash my existing grilles and even a not so good pair would be very expensive.
I do like the simple, clean flow look of what you did with the ecklers grille.
Yes, I cut the signal lights out of the grilles.
It's a BUMMER though, I don't want to trash my existing grilles and even a not so good pair would be very expensive.
I do like the simple, clean flow look of what you did with the ecklers grille.
Yes, I cut the signal lights out of the grilles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
I did the same on my '72 several years ago. I used four 1/4" inch diameter by 4" in length aluminum pipes as spacers and 4 1/2 " long bolts to move the center grille out even with the side grilles. I also painted the center grill the same color (red) as the car. I think it looks great!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 228
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From: McKinney Texas
Hey Cajun, A guy in our club moved his grill forward on his 72 i'm thinking forum member U17 may be able to get you in touch with him to find out what he used. I think the guy too is on the forum as in2fun, he lives in Flowermound.
Good luck
Good luck
