Experiences with Repro E Body Grill Trim?

[Sixpaksteve]

Hi guys,

I'm on the E Bodies Only site too and I posted the question below there the other day and (so far) have received no responses. I know that some of you guys here own a Cuda along with your B body so I thought I'd post my question here as well.....Has anyone purchased a reproduction 4 piece stainless trim set for a 1970 'Cuda grill lately, and if so how was the finish and fit?

These 4 piece trim sets run anywhere between $250 - $500 from several vendors I've found online, and because of the wide price swing I'm betting they are made by several different sources and that some fit much better than others. I'll be putting these pieces on my original grill and headlight surrounds on my 440/6 Pack 'Cuda so I want a decent product for the high $$$$.

Three out of four of my original trim pieces have some 'dings' in them and I'd prefer to keep/use them if the dings can be correctly removed. If you have any recommendations on who I could trust to do this type of work of today I'd appreciate that feedback too.

Thanks!

 

[MoparMitch]

Sorry Steve. No help here either. My E body is still on deck, waiting it's turn. Haven't really even looked at my trim. Gotta get this GTS goin.

 

[Sixpaksteve]

Thanks Mitch, I appreciate the reply and I'll let you know what I learn/find out on this one.

 

[mmissile]

68chicken. First...beautiful road runner. Second, my ebody is on deck also...and I'll be wanting to know about those moldings as well.

Sixpaksteve....Please keep us abreast on this topic, as I'm in the same boat. I have a very good trim guy, but if the new stuff is really nice...I'm sure I'd probably go that route.

 

[Sixpaksteve]

Sorry that it's been so long since I originally posted to this thread. It's been a long summer and it seems like I've been doing everything but working on my favorite hobby. ;-)

So to MMissile, 68Chicken, and anyone else with a 1970 Cuda here on FBBO, here's what I ended up doing with my Grille...

- Since my Grille and headlight Bezels were original pieces but 'tired', I wanted to restore them, not replace them.

- My Stainless Steel surround pieces were the worst and after trying to find a source who could take the dents out for a reasonable cost, I ended up replacing all 4 pieces with reproduction parts instead. I bought them from Jeff at 521 Restorations. He gave me a very fair price on them based on the price quotes I got from several other vendors, and Jeff's shipping was fast and the parts were very securely packaged.

- I bought the Dark Argent, Textured Grille paint from Totally Auto (rattle cans), and for the black louvers in the Grill I used a Satin Black from Ace Hardware. I sprayed the Grille myself and what took the longest was the masking off of the areas that I didn't want painted when I switched from the Argent to Black. (My advice - don't be in a hurry when painting anything like this. I'm VERY happy with the paint products I chose and how the Grille turned out.

- The new stainless steel trim pieces slid onto my original Grille and Bezels fairly easily, but again, patience was key here.

In the pics, you can see the new SS Trim on the repainted Bezels, and you can see the center Grille painted but I hadn't put the 2 trim pieces on it just yet. I'll go ahead and repost this over on the FEBO site too in case it can help someone else out over there.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Looks good to me!

 

[Homstead]

Thanks for posting the quality of the new parts. I`m restoring a 70 Cuda for a friend and need to show her your pics of your restored grill. Right now it`s all black and doesn't do the car justice. Good job and I`d love to see some more pics!

 

[Sixpaksteve]

I have the Grille back in the car but I'm still 'tweaking' the color of the new turn signal assemblies that I bought for it. Once I finish up with those and get the car out of the garage I'll post some finished pics for you.

Your lady friend doesn't have an AAR Cuda, does she? Those Grilles were all black except for the SS trim......