SS Hood Louver

[RAS68]

My question is about quality SS hood Louvers for 1968 SS 396. Several years ago I purchased reproduction chrome hood louvers for my 68 L34. The ones that came on the car when I bought it were a little pitted and I am pretty sure they were repops. The new ones I bought were from a reputable parts supplier specializing in first gen Camaro parts and they were claimed to be the best available. The chrome is very good and the fit is excellent but there are wavy sections along the sides and along the top rim (outer rim not the "stacks") that just bother me more and more as time goes on. Its such a prominent feature and I notice the wavy sections and flaws every time I drive it now. So, to shorten my sob story - can anyone recommend where I can get a new set of hood louvers that don't have wavy sections or visible flaws in them? Does anyone have a re-chromed set of originals they want to sell? Does anyone have a recent experience with reproductions from a source they can recommend?
Thanks,
Allen

[RAS68]

I am so surprised that I have not gotten a single reply. is there no one who has an experience with the hood louvers? Does anyone have a set of OEM louvers in presentable condition? I find this forum such a great resource and I have used it quite a lot over the years for research and originality and advice on parts or how to restore parts. Anyway - I am surprised I have not gotten any replies here in the restoration section. I mean consider that the hood louvers on the SS cars are a very prominent visual feature. So they deserve some attention from the restoration community. Oh well, I just want to find some louvers with good chrome and no wavy sections.

Allen

[cook_dw]

I have zero input on reproduction louvers but if you are concerned about the look I'd suggest finding some originals and having them rechromed.  I sold an original set back earlier this year (correct left and right respectively) but unfortunately one stud was broken on the impossible to find louver and they barely got $100..  To say I was surprised by the lack of interest in originals is an understatement..

[RAS68]

Thanks for the reply and the suggestion. I have seen a few pairs for sale on ebay. They have a fair amount of pitting but maybe that's the only way to get a near perfect set ( find originals and have them re-chromed by reputable company).
Regards,
Allen

[firstgenaddict]

The biggest difference in the originals and the repro is the backing plates and the screens. Original screens are .040 aluminum wire and the repros are .035 stainless.
Original backers are anodized aluminum repro are vinyl covered metal.- black anodizing is not true black it is a DEEP DEEP dark violet.
There is a long thread on this forum regarding the differences in the originals vs the repros.

[firstgenaddict]

Research thread on the stacks. 
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=6470.0

[RAS68]

Hi James,
That's very interesting. Just the kind of detail I will get obsessed over. My car will never be competed at the kind of meet or show where that would matter but I just enjoy those kind of details and I enjoy putting them on my car. I am still surprised no one has a recommendation for the best repop louvers. Several places advertise that they have top quality examples (HBC, Tamaraz, Rick's, Camaro Central, etc.). I suspect they may all be from the same supplier. So, I may take a chance and order another set and see if they are any better than the ones I have.

Allen

[z28z11]

Don't foget CHQ. Considering the heritage, I've found they are pretty careful about the quality of their reproduction offerings, always seem to be selective of the better vendors.

http://secure.classichq.com/68-69-CAMARO-HOOD-LOUVER-ASSEMBLY-PAIR--P706C116.aspx

JMO-

Regards,
Steve

[firstgenaddict]

There was a pair of NOS stack bezels on ebay for $150 yesterday.

[RAS68]

Hi James,
 They must be gone already, I could not find any NOS louvers with the stacks on Ebay this AM. There was a pair of NOS grooved style louvers for $349.0. Anyway thanks for the reply and the tip on EBAY. Also thanks to Steve for the tip to check out CHQ.
Allen

[firstgenaddict]

The ones I posted in the above thread are CHQ. I used the original screens and backers and painted the silver on the outside of the square stacks like the originals but the BEZELS were very nice in quality.

[firstgenaddict]

I recently noticed the following when inspecting a repro set and remembered I took photos 8 years ago.
Besides the wire difference
repro stainless .035
original is clear anodized aluminum .040
The repro screen insert is not cut square to the diamond pattern of the weave
One in the set I photographed skews left 20 degrees the other skews right 5 degrees. 
WHERE AS the originals ARE cut square to the diamond weave.