1969 Chevelle front grille

[dreemz]

Is the front grille on a 1969 Chevelle the same for either a standard, COPO, or SS car other than the SS396 badge or the bow tie? Would it be the same for an El Camino?

[GTO_DON]

I believe "yes" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Don_Lightfoot]

Need to clarify this, sorry Don. The Malibu, SS and El Camino grills would have been the same - they would have holes in the horizontal center bar for attachement of the aluminum molding. The grill for 300 Deluxe models did not get those holes or the molding. Hope this helps.

[GTO_DON]

I was just speaking in general. how often do you even see a 300 grille? and you could probably drill the holes in it anyway to put the mouldings on. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[camarojoe]

The 300 Grille is not the same as the SS grille, and I don't just mean the holes... the entire center bar area is different, and where the aluminum trim on the SS and Malibu grill would be, it s molded plastic on the 300 grille. You COULD drill it and put the trim on, but it would then stick out too far. The only available over the counter GM grille for 69 has been the 300 version for well over 20 years, so you will see MANY 69 SS cars with 300 grilles and the trim attached incorrectly on top of that, but recently they started to repop a more correct SS/Malibu grille with the lower center bar. No idea if it fits as bad as repro parts usually do, but it looks good in the pics I've seen. From what i know, the Malibu and SS grille is the same, the only difference being the way it is painted. Search the Team Chevelle site for more insight and pics of the differences, I know this has been discussed over there on numerous occassions. -jb

[dreemz]

Thanks guys for the info. So how would you determine, assuming we're talking NOS parts, that the grille is not the GM 300 type grille that has been made for the last 20 yrs as pointed out above, and is appropriate for a COPO or SS car? Is there a specific part # assuming I can't look at the grille first?

[camarojoe]

I don't know the part numbers off hand, but if it is an NOS GM grille, I will almost guarantee it will not be correct for an SS, COPO, or Malibu, and will be the 300 style grille. I have never seen an NOS GM one that was not.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Here are the original part numbers I have from one source which is normally fairly accurate.

3938180 - Malibu, SS, COPO, Elky.
3938106 - 300 Deluxe.
3942789 - Nomad Wagon.

[camarojoe]

Just out of curiosity, what is different about the Nomad Wagon grille from the rest? If memory serves correctly, I think the Nomad used a grille like the 300, but was completely naked, with not even a bowtie in the center... my guess is its the same grille, with no emblem holes in the center. Anyone confirm this?

[Don_Lightfoot]

[ QUOTE ]
What is different about the Nomad Wagon grille from the rest?

[/ QUOTE ]

Can't answer that for you Joe http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[JoeC]

[ QUOTE ]
What is different about the Nomad Wagon grille from the rest?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't remember seeing a Nomad Wagon grill but I did see a "fifth" 69 Chevelle grill that had different trim pieces then the Malibu, SS, or 300 grill. It was not on a Nomad Wagon when I saw it but could have been from a Nomad Wagon originally.
Counting the two SS black out grills,
Chevy made at least five different grills for the 69 Chevelle line so there seems to be difficulty in getting the 69 grill to look correct. Many restored 69s I have seen have incorrect grills and even the new reproduction grill is painted incorrectly.