OEM Grille Find

[LTZ C20]

Hey all. Just wanted to share with you all my sweet find from today. Was browsing the ole interwebs and found on Craigslist an OEM grille. It's from a 79 Chevy, it is in one piece and still retains the "350" badge. It is sun faded, has some cracks and needs to be cleaned up. Does need the bow-tie tho.

So I plan on fixing the cracks, washing it, somehow trying to see if I can make it less brittle and most likely painting it. Thought about trying that chrome in a can too. Only about 10 bucks I think so worth a shot or maybe some nice hi gloss light grey or silver.

Here's the cool part. I only paid TWENTY-FIVE bucks for this thing! Only $25 whole dollars. Hahaha. I was like a blind dog in a meat shed.

[LTZ C20]

The cracks

[LTZ C20]

The emblem

[LTZ C20]

The backside

[DuckAholic1]

Congrats on the find!! I've been looking for one for my 87. I would so like to find one!! Even better if it was $25!!:)

[bake74]

     I am pretty sure only 73 - 74 had the engine size in the grill.  Starting in 75 they did away with putting the engine size in the grill.
     At home my 74 has it, my 77 does not.  On the store sit it says 73-74 grille has the spot for the engine size.  http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=0850-040G&Category_Code=7387FC

[Captkaos]

1973-74 and 1975-76 grilles had engine size in the grilles. 

This is a 73-74: the tabs are at the bottom right.  This came out of my 1973

This is a 75-76: This came out of my fathers 1975

[LTZ C20]

Oh ok. I thought they all could have had the engine size depending on trim level. Hey Capt, your bow-tie is missing too lol.

I'm going to poke around the local pilfer-n-steal on Sunday to see if I can find a descent bow-tie. You guys have any ideas on how to fix the cracks and restore some flexibility? It feels easy to snap and I'm being very careful with it.

[LTZ C20]

Also, does anyone know what the color code & name for the orange "Cheyenne" emblem on the dash trim was? Or was it just Chevy orange because when I repaint it I'm gonna repaint the emblem too and I'm stuck whether I should do the Chevy orange like my engine or the orange of the dash emblem.

[LTZ C20]

Got progress on the grille. Cracks have been fixed. Feels much more stable now, less flimsy. Also primered the grille and engine emblem and got the black base coat on the emblem.

[LTZ C20]

Back side

[LTZ C20]

Primer

[LTZ C20]

Base coat on emblem

[bake74]

1973-74 and 1975-76 grilles had engine size in the grilles. 

This is a 73-74: the tabs are at the bottom right.  This came out of my 1973

This is a 75-76: This came out of my fathers 1975

     Good to know, just 1 more thing I can add to the knowledge of 73-80 trucks, thanks for the correction.

[LTZ C20]

Made more progress on the grille this weekend. Got the back side painted all black. Got the front inner squares painted black also. And I got the 350 emblem done. I also was able to find an OEM bow-tie at my local pick and steal.

Now unfortunately, the bow-tie I found has had the gold center portion removed. I'm guessing they are acrylic but not sure. The metal "frame" of the bow-tie is in good shape. I will attempt to clean and polish it to a mirror shine. I rubbed it with my shirt in the parts yard and I could see my reflection in the chrome so hopefully it turns out nice.

If I don't like the look of the all chrome bow-tie on the grille I will buy a new repro one or see if I can find another OEM. I would really love to have all original OEM parts on the grille that I can clean and restore myself.