bkvette3

Hello again. Still somewhat confused on what a correct OEM '68 grille is supposed to look like. You know the kind - the ones with the silver edges. What are the differences I am looking for. Right now on E-bay there are "NOS" and "originals" listed. Is there any '68 owners that can provide a few detailed pics of their OEM grilles (left, right and center) or a previous thread that I can link onto. I assume original undamaged ones are very hard to find. Thanks in advance for the help. BK3

Alan 71

Hi bkv,
The way I understand it the 68 grills were black with silver edges. The 69 grills began with silver edges, then went to just the top bar being black and the lower bars silver, and then to all black.
It seems to me for a 68 you're looking for grills with all silver edges.
Regards,
Alan

Ironcross

this ok?

avalonjohn

Hi Blair, the easiest way to explain it is this:

Look at how the center 68,69 CENTER plastic grille is constructed. All 4 tabs are uniform and the leading edges of the grilles extend out further then the plastic surrounding the grilles.

THAT is how the original 68 left and right grilles were constructed. Very flimsy. The center ones you see on
Ebay are correct but the left and right are ususally replacement. Sure, they are NOS GM, just not "exactly" what your car came with. It really has more to do with how they were constructed than the paint. Here is a 100% original 68 only grille.

bkvette3

Thank - you, Alan71 And Ironcross. (P.S. - Ironcross - your '68 is a thing of beauty - ) Avalonjohn - as always - you are the man - excellent pictures Thanks for the lesson - I fully understand the difference now. Again, thanks for taking the time to reply, guys.

Alan 71

Hi ,
IC's second picture looks like a 68 just waiting to jump out against some unsuspecting cuda driving by!!!!!
NICE!!!
Regards,
Alan

Ironcross

I get your point...Never looked at it that way Al,....

its a strong 'Cuda and the result would be interesting...race engine against race engine....
sort of sinister looking for victims......

Your Red Vette is in a class of it`s own Al, from top to bottom and better than new ...'excellent Vette....

PRNDL

I think your best bet is to find the right kind of grill and shmear some silver paint on it yourself. I doubt the replacement grills had silver paint on them, even in 68.

PRNDL

and here are pics I took a while back at an NCRS meet of an alleged bowtie 68. I think the silver has worn off the grill.

avalonjohn

those are the real deal!

John 65

Beautiful 68 Ironcross.

I love the look without the plate in front of the center grille. Real clean and more air coming in.

I wish they would allow that here in Jersey.

WESCH

Hi

Alan, are you sure about this ?
I was under the impression, that all 68 had the top bar black and the rest silver. This is also shown on the pics of the 68 cars in this thread.
Or do I misinterpret what's the top bar ?

Rgds. Günther

Easy Mike

Big blocks do not jump. They launch.

PRNDL

They do, if you have QQ (historic) plates. In that case, only one (rear) plate is required. But if you are running regular plates then you do need 2.

Ironcross

a good fix for that is to get some very 'thin silver pinstriping tape........and then apply it to that 'tiny leading edge.....{strip stripe} or whatever....my grill was suffering with some bare spots too as it was just painted on from the factory........

Lupigiato

The next question is, where can we find these grilles? I can't find them anywhere.

avalonjohn

not reproduced.....A couple guys here may have a set or two.

Ironcross

try Paragon!......{I think its spelled correctly}

Lupigiato

The only grilles offered by Paragon and other vendors is the black plastic repro's.

avalonjohn

Try here.........someone may have a decent set. Most likely they will need some attention but they are 100% not reproduced.