Early '69 Front Grille Question
 

Does anyone have a good picture they could post here of an early '69 front grille? Mine are painted all black and I know that is not correct.

TIA,

Don

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (Don O'Connell)
 

Don, early 69 to at least serial 14453, has grilles like the 68s, i.e. they are black but have chrome front faces on the horizontal bars.

If you have Dr. Dobbins' "Fact Book of the 68-72 Stingray", 4th edition, a 68 grille is shown on page 7. The later 69 grilles are just black.

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (Don O'Connell)
 

You have mail

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (Ron D)
 

Chuck/Ron,

Thanks guys. I do have the Vette Vues but I was looking for a good color close up. I'll check my email tomorrow (I use my work email address for the industrial strenght virus scan stuff).

Don

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (Don O'Connell)
 

Don, ifthey don't have one I might be able to find a good pic in the "1969 Fact Book " I could send you.

Tom McCabe :yesnod:

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (Chuck Sangerhausen)
 

Chuck, Help me out as I am now totally confused.
The NCRS Technical/Judging Manual states that ALL 68 and 69 Corvettes built through January 1969 have black grilles with the leading edges of the horizontal bars painted silver. Then the "Corvette Restoration Guide 68-82" by Richard Prince states all 68 Corvettes and 69s built thru January 1969 are solid black with NO silver edges on the horizontal bars.
I'm restoring my 68 built in May 10, 1968 and have two conflicting publications. How does one determine which to believe. I'm spending lots of money to make this car correct, or so I thought. HELP

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (ksbunting)
 

Kurt,

My understanding is the early '69 (mine is an Oct 1st '68 build) should have the silver leading edges. I'm looking for a good picture to use as a reference.

Don

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (ksbunting)
 

Sorry for the confusion, Kurt.

Of the two sources you just cited, I would believe the NCRS judging guide. It matches what Dobbins' book says with the exception that Dobbins' gives the serial number where the change started, but not the month. For 68 and early 69, Dobbins described the grilles as having "chrome face bars" (page 71). Actually, silver painted may be the better description. The best way to end the controversy for yourself is to go to a meet and look at some original cars.

The 68-69 NCRS judging guide does have some errors in it, but it is constantly put under scrutiny by knowledgeable judges, where Richard Prince's book is not. If you are correct in describing what Richard Prince's book says, then I think the book has an editing error...I think they got the grille configurations flip-flopped, and it got into print that way, but that's my opinion.

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (ksbunting)
 

I have heard that 68 grilles are impossible to find, but then I haven't looked for one.

If it were me, I would try to "fix" the 69 grilles as follows: First, determine from original grilles exactly how much shine the bar faces have, i.e. is it a dull silver, or is it chrome-like. Then, identify a restoration supplier (Eastwood, Quanta, OEM Paint, Zip) with a suitable paint to produce the look of original grilles. Next, go to Home Depot and buy one of those little plastic throw-away paint rollers used for trim and cutting in; the nap should be as short as possible, 1/32"-1/16" desireable. If you can only find aerosol paint, you can spray the roller up close, then roll it out to reduce the paint load and make it uniform.

Prep the grilles (a very light sanding of the bar fronts with 220 grit paper and clean up), and then apply the paint USING NO PRESSURE. Before application, roll out the roller until it is virtually dry; you can always add paint, but if you start with too much, you are going to get runs :mad :mad :mad

You may not be able to get in the corners with the roller, so have an artist brush or brushes ready to finish out the details of the job. After the paint is applied, use paint thinner (NOT LACQUER THINNER) to clean up any paint smeared or smudged onto the black.

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (Chuck Sangerhausen)
 

If you still need pictures, give a shout as I have mine. I have two sets, one is all silver, the other black w/silver trim :confused:

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (GDaina)
 

George,

If ya have a good shot of the black/silver, that's exactly what I'm looking.

Chuck, thanks for some of the painting tips. I was planning on using a little modeler's paint brush but the home depot thing might work.

Don

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (Don O'Connell)
 

If ya can wait till the Am, 'cause tonight i'm goin' to my neigbor's daughter's graduation paatea. :cheers:

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (Don O'Connell)
 

My 69 is number 10,xxx built in early December 68, and the grills are all black, and I don't think the grills have ever been painted (just judging by the condition of them).

AC

Re: Early '69 Front Grille Question (A C)
 

Thanks all, I received a couple of emails with good shots.

Don


[Modified by Don O'Connell, 8:30 PM 8/4/2001]

I have a November 68 L46 350/350 with Silver Grill, Jan 69 L46 350/350 with Silver Grill, Feb 69 L71 427/435 with Silver Grill and a November 69 L39 427/390 with a totally blacked out grill. Sounds like you are right, 68/69 February "Silver" somewhere in February 69 is the changeover.

Hey guys, My unrestored all original L36 427/390 car has a G03 build date and it has the silver grille. No doubt, it’s never been changed. So I do know that they were silver up to February 3rd of ‘69. Production no: 15,039

Here are a few shots of the early Silver Grille. This one is February 3rd of '69. I am fully aware that this post is old; I'm just adding useful info. for the next guy searching with this question.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...f83140e369.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...f968dbe7ac.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...e35ab092ce.jpg