A somewhat quick post on what we have to date, eliminating the most “uncertain” data, is a possible change between the 04A to 06A time frame. We see, in the cavity mold area (between the circles) on the back (engine side)/driver side/upper side of the grille, some letters with numbers versus a single number. Several of the survey participant’s cars appear to have original rivets attaching the center to the upper or lower grille providing a higher level of credibility toward originality. With accessibility to, and visibility of, what is in the “between the circles” area, the observation/reporting of what is found along with the originality of the rivets so far shows the most promise of being used as a quick means for classifying a grille as pre or post change. Additionally, we have also noted the use of and the mixing of 1967 and 1968 head light (HL) covers on these period vehicles. The HL covers are important to us because they also can be original (chrome or black) and carry a year traceable part number. Some of the HL covers don’t have a part number but do have a number. That number seems to correlate to the driver or passenger side and so far looks to be a 1968 part. The data so far shows the use of 67 black HL covers during this period. We know for instance, of a 04A car with 68 HL covers on both sides, a 05D car with 67 HL covers being used on both sides, and a 06A car with a mix of 67/68 HL covers. All covers and grilles are black on these cars. If chrome grilles were being used, then why would original black HL covers be on a car too? One other apparent and interesting observation is that the attachment hardware on a couple of the cars appears to be original (know to be in one case) but is different than that shown in the AIM (pg 424, DWG 6-14-67, DATE REL. 6-16, UPC Z 22, A4). We don’t have enough info at this time to tie any attachment changes that were made to any grille changes. It begs the question though if changes were made in the grille, chrome to black, did they also change some of the attachments/hardware? We do know the attachment changes noted so far are on cars with black grilles. We have a mix of NOR and LOS cars in the survey with LOS cars being about 1/3 of the total.
Some folks provided partial info and we could fill in some critical areas if we could reestablish contact with them. I for one would like more data so we could be as definitive as possible on this. Special thanks to all who went out of their way to provide data…we appreciate it!!
Steve
