How can I tell if the emblem I took off the rear my 69 SS is a factor piece or after market? The emblem looked to be original with the look of being in place for a lot of years so I think it is original. The one I’m taking about is the SS396 between the trunk and rear bumper. On the back of one of the S’s is the number 8752067 or something close to that. On the other S is a marking that looks like an H with DC above and a PC below the horizontal line of the H. Is it real?

Thanks,

probably.... the best way i can tell a GM from a repro ("trim parts" repros especially) is by looking at the outer edges of the emblem... GM emblems are very rough around the lower edge (the part that sits closest to the rear panel itself) whereas the repros are polished smooth as silk around the sides... Another good way to tell is to look at the white inside the S's. If it looks like it was done quick with a stencil and flat white spray paint, its probably original... if its perfect and the paint is very glossy, i'd guess its a repro... basically, the crappier the look, the more likely its a GM piece...one thing GM does have over any repro is the fit... more than once i have taken a brand new repro emblem out of the baggie, stood and gazed into the brillant chrome and what looked like superb quality, only to find out all the pins are off by about 1/8" to where the factory holes in my body are... The el Camino emblems I bought for my 1/4 panels were like this.. still dont know how i ever got them in the holes without breaking them.

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My 69 SS Elco (http://members.aol.com/joeybsyc/elcooutside.jpg)
engine (http://members.aol.com/joeybsyc/elcoengine.jpg)
interior (http://members.aol.com/joeybsyc/elcointerior.jpg)

The repop emblem on the back is a solid cast piece. The GM piece is hollow on the back. I have an nos and a repop side by side and that is all that looks different

Thanks,

My emblems have all the right things --- not great white paint --- rough edges --- and hollowed out in the back