I purchased a NOS 69 SS grill but it does not look the same as the original. The center bar on the original is not as thick and is drilled for a trim piece. The new grill center bar looks as if the trim piece is part of the grill and is not drilled. I was told to drill the center bar and put on my old trim piece but this would stick out a lot farther then the original. The lower trim piece fits on the lower bar with no problem. Has anyone else had this problem? thank you

I heard that the reproductions are maded that way also. I am not for sure but I think that G.M. made another mold and that is the way they were made at the factory. I have heard this story before.

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Malibu 307 (aka 406 smblk)
69 SS 396(aka 454)
Wolf in sheeps skin


[This message has been edited by plain 69 (edited 07-31-99).]

Joe, in 1969 there were two grilles that were put on Chevelles. Malibu models (could be others also) had the anodized aluminum trim attatched to a narrow center bar. A 300 deluxe model (could be others also) had no center trim attatched to it, so the center bar was molded wider to extend out as far as if it had the trim piece on it. The bar was then painted silver. If you measured the narrow Malibu bar with trim attatched against the wider 300 Deluxe bar with no trim you would find they both extended the same amount. Today, the only grille being produced is the wider 300 Deluxe style. If you have a Malibu model that used the trim piece you can attatch it to the new grille, BUT, it will extend further than the original. Most often it's barely noticeable.
Rich

Just put one on the Elk, that's the way they are. I didn't put the chrome on as I couldn't bring myself to drilling holes in the new one. It looks ok to me and if you keep going fast enough no one will notice.
Harley

Hey Joe,

Mine came the same way. Had to drill and use other than the stock "clips" to hold the center bar for the SS grille.

Dan

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69 Cortez silver SS 427
69 azure turquois Malibu 250
ACES #02351
Team Chevelle Gold #35

joe58
Been there, done that. Your assessment is "right on". "Restoration" grilles are actually GM pieces for the 300 model (Part Number 3942789). Check your GM dealer first. You may like his price better. Grille extensions (PN 3938111-2) are also available from GM.

I collected '69 grilles and grille pieces until I had enough to glue together a complete Malibu grille and decorated to SS specs. Tough part to find is the center upper attachment boss. Had to cut my new GM piece to get this section.

It may be possible to use an old Malibu center rib with (molded oval holes) and graft it into a new GM piece. If anyone is interested, I have at least one good Malibu center rib.

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Fred Aldrich
Web Site: www.GeoCities.com/~69_chevelle (http://www.GeoCities.com/~69_chevelle)


[This message has been edited by Fred Aldrich (edited 08-01-99).]

Glad you ask Joe, I was wondering why the new center chrome molding I bought would't work on mine.
As a matter of fact, I was comparing mine to another 69 SS parked beside mine just last night.

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Dean Call
Team Gold member #3
A.C.E.S. # 00235
N.C.O.A. # 4350

macc.chevelles.net (http://macc.chevelles.net)