69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

So someone backed into my truck. I'm looking for a grille and just founded out the chevrolet stamped grilles are very expensive. I'm painting mine so even if I found a relatively straight one I could make it work.

I do see the smooth reproduction grilles. Has anyone made these look good? I was thinking about trying to install a set of 67-68 hood letters on an unstamed grille if they fit. Has anyone had any success making these chepo grilles look good? If so please add pics of your truck with aftermarket grille!

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Does anyone have a southern ca source for a decent priced CHEVROLET stamped grille?

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Sorry this happened to you! I am so frightened of it happening to me or me hitting another dog or deer, that I am going to put on a big grill guard. I see it wouldn't have helped where you took a hit.

I keep hearing that reproduction grills are crap but I have never tried one. NOS and original does come up on the parts forum though, from time to time?

TTT

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Insurance is quoting me $250 for a replacement grille. That bearly covers shipping. Some of these parts dealers are charging $200 for shipping and handling!

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Insuring an antique isn't going to be easy, I expect (I have never insured mine, my truck has been in a garage that long).

The thing I stand by, as I have learned the hard way, is to ship body panels in wooden crates, insured on top of that. So shipping things to me is very expensive. Now there are lots of good parts in CA and since that is where you live, I would try and pick something up in person and haul it back home.

Put a "WTB" up in the parts forum and tell them what happened to you. Include your crash pic. Someone will come through for you. In fact, there is a junkyard in CA I have dealt with, I'll try and get you the number. They are on this forum though and may read your post. Excellent people.

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

I have used one of the repop grills from Classic Parts and it fit perfect. It was the one with the Chevrolet in the center.

Shipping wasn't too bad when I got mine back in May. The grill was pricey but that's to be expected.

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Hit and run? (Your insurance is paying?)

Tell them you would like to see where they're getting their price so you can get one that cheap.

Then hit 'em for the price of the new one and an estimated cost for a repaint on top of that ;)

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Since your truck is still drivable you arent in a hurry to settle. Lean on them some. Do your homework and show them what a couple of suppliers are charging for them including shipping. You should not have to take that low offer. They prey on people wanting to settle quickly. Its the nature of their job.
Also i believe at least one aftermarket grille comes with black vinyl chevy letters for those who prefer the script on it.

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Here is the one I put on "Haulin"... I got it from Classic Parts of America... Pretty Straight forward install...

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Actually, Dan, that is a cool look without the letters across it. Like a subtle mod, a smoothed grille if you will.

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Actually that is why I went this way...

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

A few years ago, I had one backed into. I just took one of the supplier catalogs with me when I met the adjuster. He paid the catalogue price + shipping + taxes + R&R.

Re: 69 chevy grille- any way to make reproduction look better
 

Well played.. ;)