The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Chrome Grill

First post... here we go.

Ive got a '51 3100 with a 216 and i want to get a chrome/creme grill for it. A guy i know who restored a '50 told me that i should try to find for sale an old grill that has been re-chromed/painted because they were built better originally than the modern repros. He thinks a refurb grill will look better and last longer than a repro grill.

Anybody know if there is a difference between refurbished chrome grills and new repro grills? Also, where do i get a refirb grill, ive looked everywhere but most not be looking in the right places.

Thanks!

In general, original parts are better than reproduced parts. Welcome to the world of refurbishing an old vehicle. Sometimes original parts are impossible to find and the re-pop parts are your only choice. In the case of the grille, you may have to use the good pieces from several damaged ones to make a good one. But the fact that re-pops are available means there are a lot of originals being removed to pick from. Enjoy the hunt.

Welcome to the bolt chevnky. Lots of infor around here. Cletis is right about the parts. They are available and the hunt can be more fun than anything else.
I just bought a repop grille for my 52 from Classic Chevrolet Parts for $348 deliverered to my front door. Thats a pretty good deal even for repop but the sale went off today and they had only offered free shlpping a couple weeks ago. That said, I wish I could use an original but the cost can get expensive. Since my vehicle will be in side most all the time I figure a repop may be OK for now. It does look "decent" and has powder coated back bars.
The best advice is to always look around. There are a couple vendors here that give stovebolt discounts and they are nice and friendly to the stovebolt group. So, take a look in the links dept and let us know how else we can help.
Good luck on your project.

chevnky, firstly welcome to the 'bolt.
As Cletis has already mentioned you may have to 'bite the bullet' and get an original re-chromed,assuming you find one in good enough condition.
Good chrome aint cheap!
Hopefully your own one might be 'saveable'.

The overall condition,like any bodywork to start with will play a huge part in the finished article.
Obviously the chrome finish will only be as good as the underlying metal.
I don't know of anyone selling re-furbed originals.
(Unless someone can prove me wrong)
All the ones I've seen are re-pops,which are,at best 'passable'.
Good luck
Jock

Well many thanks guys on the detailed responses. I think you've given me all of the ammo i need to make my decision! Ill talk you soon!

LMC Truck sells them.. $500-600 ea.. Yoooowww