68 grille picture

[lakeholme]

I can tell you definitively that my original owner 68 L30/M20 was delivered with a grey plastic grille with the outer area painted satin black and the inner portion painted silver.  That's a fact. 

What's you build date?

[jeff68]

My car was built in June.  I forgot what week - I must be getting old.  The car is at the paint shop, so I can't run to the garage to look at the tag.

[68Zproject]

The emblem on 68Zproject's car is a standard grille emblem that is 'incorerctly' painted.  The standard emblem should have a black bowtie with red vertical recessed stripes - just as shown in both of the pictures that bertfam posted.

I looked at it and somebody painted it red.  Other than that it looked original or has seen a lot of miles.

[sebastien]

Are we saying for sure that both plants LOS and NOR,had gray grills starting around May or Jun 1968?
Mine was built in july 68 in NOR and as far as I can tell with pictures from previous owners,the grill always been black.

[lakeholme]

Sebastian, how about posting a picture of your grille...

[sebastien]

ok pictures from 1977

[bertfam]

Are we saying for sure that both plants LOS and NOR,had gray grills starting around May or Jun 1968?
Mine was built in july 68 in NOR and as far as I can tell with pictures from previous owners,the grill always been black.

I can't say for sure. It's currently under investigation by the CRG, so there may be overlap, or more usage at one plant than the other. I just can't say without more data.

Ed

[lakeholme]

...a picture of a documented original 68 grille. 

Which explains why I started this thread with the above statement.  The production of first generation Camaros was obviously a very "fluid" process for Chevy --"change" seems to have been a constant.

Ed, do you know the build date for the car in your picture listed "Most 68s"?  My car is a 12D.  I think my grille and bezels are original (but not documented) and they look like that.

[bertfam]

Phil, that particular car was built mid October, 1967. Here's a 12C for you. Couldn't find a good picture of a 12D.

Ed

[lakeholme]

Thanks a million, Ed!
Now, if the guy from the paint shop will just call...

That pic also raises another question: Shouldn't a 12C (or 12D) have a bumble bee stripe? Or did the change in stripe work in before January of 68?

[JohnKY]

As has been stated, only the SS grille was all black.
 The "standard" grille had Argent Silver bars, and a black surround. I have a non-SS November built car with the grille painted this way.

[lakeholme]

I can't say for sure. It's currently under investigation by the CRG, so there may be overlap, or more usage at one plant than the other. I just can't say without more data.

Well said, Ed.  That's exactly why I'm asking.  Wish CRG already had a definitive answer.   

JohnKY, can you post us a picture of your November built car?  Is it documented original? 

I have factory material that describes the grille: "...satin-silver horizontal bars over deep-set black for a wider look".  The accompanying picture shows a standard emblem (which probably means little, since we've all seen inaccurate pictures with GM printed material.)  But this particular material is describing the 68 Camaro in general and it is dated "Revised April 22, 1968". 

Does anyone have documentation about a difference between non-SS and SS?  BB vs others?  

Does anyone actually have any documentation beyond what Ed has said and shown in pictures? 

I'm not doubting anyone's input --as I said above, change seems to have been the rule of thumb-- but the venues I participate in rely on "factory documentation".     

Like Hodrod, I'd like to know something definitive.  And that's what CRG is all about!  Appreciate your input!     

[jeff68]

Does anyone actually have any documentation beyond what Ed has said and shown in pictures? 

I'm not doubting anyone's input --as I said above, change seems to have been the rule of thumb-- but the venues I participate in rely on "factory documentation".     

What "factory documentation" would you like from me regarding my car?  I posted a picture and made a statement of fact regarding my car, but that doesn't appear to be the same type of 'documentation' that Ed provided.  If you are only concerned with early 68 cars, just say so and I will let it be.

[lakeholme]

Jeff68, I've sent you a PM.

[jeff68]

Jeff68, I've sent you a PM.

Got it.  Thanks.