72 GRILLE FROM ORIGINAL PARTS GROUP

[JUBAL]

I've been waiting one year and two months but it finally arrived, a plastic reproduction of the 1972 grille.  Looks great!!!!  Originals in 100% condition are not out there, plus it probably saves ten pounds over the original.  Will install it very soon and hope that goes well also.  Better hurry and get one (or two in case a rock breaks one) before China invades or blockades Taiwan.  If they do the good replacement parts will dry up as it seems every replacement part is now made there.

[Dtret]

A lot of people are interested in photos, fitment and how the final product looks. Please if you would post a bunch of pictures. 

[JUBAL]

I will as soon as I install it.  Just arrived and I could not figure out what was in the large box.  I paid for it a year ago and had a 20% discount, so I don't know what they sell for today.  But my pitted pot metal grill will go in storage soon.  Also came with new turn signal bezels.

[Canuck]

People will be very interested to hear how it fits. 🙂

Moved post to New Products section of the forum. 

[jft69z]

Thanks Jerry!

Considering the cost to get one re-chromed (it's in the 4 figure range), if these look & fit good, and the finish lasts for a while, it'll be a nice option to keep in mind.

[alain boileau]

🙂In 2006 it cost me $700.00 to get the front grill rechromed on the 1972 454 Monte Carlo I was restoring

So in 2024 dollars it would not be cheap but?

Sometimes if you want to play you gotta pay

Alain🙂

[JUBAL]

I installed the new plastic 72 grille today.  The old one was removed easily, although I had to get the three bolts from the bottom and I hate to lie down on the concrete but they came out easily.  I took the old grill and removed my parking lamp bezels and lenses.  Then I took off the center grille emblem.  I placed it on the new grill and it was at about a 30 degree angle.  They made the grille close enough but no one thought to see if the emblem fits.  Trying to decide what to do and not wanting to put pressure on the plastic, I filed away at the corners of the grille that was keeping it from being perfectly vertical.  Thirty to forty five minutes.  The first photo as I am trying to fit it.  It was far worse than that photo.  Satisfied that it was now correct, the rest of the installation went flawlessly.  Although I would caution about using any powered tools to crank the bolts down, as one can hear the plastic hollering at you.  The only mistake is that the plastic in the center bar is wider than the stock item, for I measured it.  With patience and filing the plastic it finally fit.  The other option would have been to relieve the two studs for the emblem, but removing plastic was easier and no one can see it behind the red knight in the center.  I bought mine from OPG last year with a coupon for $350.99 shipped.  For the first time ever I have a grille that looks new, and saved at the least twenty pounds.  Notice the excess plastic in the corner of the third photo that must be removed to get the emblem to be vertical.

[jft69z]

Thanks for the update Jerry. I like the color of the car too, though I'm a little biased in that regard.

I seem to recall I had to file the aftermarket front emblem I had installed when I did the car. Just like yours, it was not straight & took a lot of time to get it right. 

I understand that you measured the new grill though, and simply took the existing emblem off the old grill and put it on the new one, where it didn't fit. 

Anyways, thanks for the update!

Joe

[Canuck]

Great info! Thanks for sharing.

[Marks71]

It looks really nice. My main concern would be possible stress cracks in the future if the plastic was showing some resistance during the installation.

[Michael Boyte]

I personally think it turned out fantastic, it looks great on the car !! To restore an original grill, will cost an individual thousands of dollars.... Ask me and Leo how I know this !! First the plating was several thousand at Advanced plating then the detail at Leo's was another $800 plus not counting shipping in 3 directions.  Thankfully for the First Gen family, we now have a much more affordable solution for the 72 grill. 

[jft69z]

18 minutes ago, Michael Boyte said:

....was several thousand at Advanced plating .

In Erie, PA?

[JUBAL]

34 minutes ago, Marks71 said:

It looks really nice. My main concern would be possible stress cracks in the future if the plastic was showing some resistance during the installation.

It really fit perfectly.  I mentioned cracking if one used a battery powered wrench or small impact.  With a ratchet one can feel when it is snug.  Really no resistance I felt today.

[Michael Boyte]

59 minutes ago, jft69z said:

In Erie, PA?

Advanced plating in Portland Tennessee did our Grill, Paul's plating in Erie PA plated all of our Trim parts as well as all the stainless trim. Cadillac did this early on and it really made a difference in appearance. 

[alain boileau]

🙂Grill looks really nice and it gives you an option when you own a 72

Alain🙂

[Blake350]

that grille does look fantastic...now just for durability   ,but with most of our cars garaged/ pampered/ spared from snow/salt and even rain as much as possible ,I have a good feel on this...

[jft69z]

1 hour ago, Blake350 said:

that grille does look fantastic...now just for durability   ,but with most of our cars garaged/ pampered/ spared from snow/salt and even rain as much as possible ,I have a good feel on this...

I guess if it only looks good for say, 5 years, at $350-400, you could just buy a replacement occasionally and still be way ahead vs. re-chroming. I imagine time will tell.

[alain boileau]

🙂I like Joe's way of thinking

If you buy one every 5yrs you are still ahead of the game.Chrome will get you home.But Expensive

Also will you have the car in 5 10 or 15 years from today?

Alain🙂

[Jared Richey]

Bugs will probably do a number on this plastic chrome. These are good for a daily driver or to protect your original for sure.