I'd like to get a new grille for my 1971 Chevelle but can't seem to find a black replacement for a 71. Will a 1972 grille fit the same?

If my memory serves me correctly, the only difference in the front end is the parking bezels...

Thanks in advance!

Ryan, Welcome to Team Chevelle!
A 72 grille would probably work in a 71, but you should not have any problems finding a 71 grille. Here are some new and used 71 grilles:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-Chevelle-Grille_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34204QQitemZ4631 048552QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevelle-El-Camino-1971-71-Std-Grille-Grill-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33645QQitemZ8056110 857QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Plus our sponsor as well Ground up has one:

http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=chevellecamino&Product_Code=LEH-2409&Category_Code=EXTERIORGRILLE

Good luck!
Mike

The '71 grill is a little narrower than a '72. You will need the '72 fender extentions to make it work.

Very cool. Thank you.

It seems as if all new repros are silver, whereas, mine is black, or was black. It is kind of dusty. There is a a big crack in one of the horizontal slats (which is why I want to replace it) where the SS emblem was. Maybe I should just clean mine up and respray it black. I assume my new emblem would cover the imperfection.

If anybody has some more input on this or has used a 72 grille on a 71, I would appreciate your input. I just think these cars looks sexier with the black grille.

You can put a 72 grille in a 71, however the headlight trim rings are different between a 1971 and a 1972, the fender extensions are the same. All 1971 reproduction and NOS grilles are gery, you have to paint them black.

John W.

I am involved with the same thing right now.
I have a 71 El Camino with a 72 grille and headlight bezels on it.
I believe the 71-2 body piece is the same.
The 72 headlight bezels blend into the grille.

I just purchased a 71 repro grille.
Does anyone have any suggestions for what paint to use ?

Nate

I just purchased a new grille and moulding set for my '71. Anyone know the best way to install the new moulding pieces to the grille? They just don't seem to fit right, imagine that.
Davis

I would contact the distributor. They may have got your years mixed up. What company did you get the set from? I was considering this one from GroundUp.

http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=chevellecamino&Product_Code=GRILLEKIT-71X

Did yours come black or unpainted?

Mine came unpainted, a gray color, but I painted mine semi-gloss black. I have had it on the car, driven it, and washed it and it seems to be pretty durable. I liked the looks of it without the chrome mouldings, but now I want the chrome on it, just can't figure out how to attach the mouldings.

I bought a reproduction grille for my 71 El Camino and although I don't have it yet, I'm thinking that the plastic surface will be quite smooth.
Would glass beading the grille promote paint adhesion ?
Has anyone tried this ?
I glass beaded a 69 dash face and it turned out great.
I guess I could test the glass beader on a surface on the back that isn't seen to see how the plastic reacts. Of course the pressure setting may need to be lowered.

What kind of paint do you guys recommend ?
I'm thinking of using Krylon semi-flat black. I think it's about a 60% gloss.
Does this sound about right for a 71 Grille ?

Nate

I got the new grille today and it appears to be painted silver.
A frined told me it would come w/o paint and just be the color of the plastic.
I guess he was wrong on that or maybe they have gone to painting them silver now.
Anyone have any input on paint?
Shouldn't I strip this silver off before painting black ?
Nate