Original silver grille?

[starrider]

I purchased a grille that appears to have have been painted by the factory. I thought only the bone white grilles were painted silver. This is a black grille with the part number hand written on it. The silver was clearly painted before the part number was written on it. I have seen other grilles that appeared to have the hand written part number on them from the factory. Any thoughts or info on this would be much appreciated!

[starrider]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/02/full-12155-21957-image.jpg

[starrider]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/02/full-12155-21958-image.jpg

[starrider]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/02/full-12155-21959-image.jpg

[WorkinProgress]

The part number 3957062 is a black grill. Part number for a silver non RS grill is 3957044. Can be found in parts group 1.266. Silver grill went discontinued 1/73.

- Warren

[starrider]

Yes, i know that but does not explain the silver paint that appears to be original under the part number unless it was painted silver at the factory.

[WorkinProgress]

I have some NOS black grills I bought with the same hand written part numbers and they were bought from the dealer about 20 years ago and they are not painted silver. They are also in original boxes. Someone painted your grill after they bought it. It would require an extra step in the process to paint it which I doubt GM really cared after making black the norm since 1973.

- Warren

[starrider]

thats what i thought "BUT" why would the silver be under the hand written number?

[neresto]

In the photos the back of the grill appears to be a original white grill.??

[luzl78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: starrider</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thats what i thought &quot;BUT&quot; why would the silver be under the hand written number? </div></div>someone painted the grill silver and rewrote the part number

[starrider]

I don't know why someone would paint a grille silver than put a part number on it that identifies it as a black grille. I guess anything is possible.

[the427king]

Why wouldnt GM paint a black grille silver ,they were painting the white ones silver.....

[enio45]

i guess that could be possible, if the silver grill was disco.. 73, then maybe they painted the black ones silver after a certain point. For sure we know the orig cars with orig silver grills all seem to be the white mold.....not sure if i have ever seen an over the counter grill in 71 or 72/3 to observe the color of the mold......

[Kurt S]

Sure looks like the paint is on top of the writing, especially the last digit.

[starrider]

no, the number is written on top of the silver. I spoke to the guy who i purchased the grille from. He stated around 1990 that he purchased it from a farmer who had a couple rusted out camaros setting next to a barn.

[starrider]

Kurt, i think your correct. i borrowed a jewelers loop and it appears the silver overspray is over the numbers. does anyone have a photo of an original spray silver grille from the rear. possible we can compare it to see if it looks like the paint process is similar.