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Try post #14 in this thread. While not original it is correctly done.
Most 68's were black while later grilles (late May or Early June, 1968) were left gray. (Service replacements were also gray.)
So, what sort of emblem is that on 68Zproject's car?
My understanding is that the standard '68 Camaro grilles were natural grey--including the Z/28 and SS350--while the SS big-block cars had the grille painted black to match the tailpan. I'd like to know something definitive on this as well.
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.
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.
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.
...a picture of a documented original 68 grille.
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.
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".
Jeff68, I've sent you a PM.
All non-SS '68 standard grille cars (including Z/28) should have silver painted grille on the center bars with black surround as seen in the attachment. -Jon
Could that be a rare factory fiberglass hood on Estes' car? GM made a rare limited run of fiberglass cowl hoods in '68 as I understand it, and if anyone would have had access to one, it would be Pete Estes! It's common knowledge they were available through the "back door" during the Trans Am wars--just like the crossram and headers and JL-8 rear disc brakes. Or is this a myth as well, like the elusive photo of the highly-optioned black-and-gold '69 ZL-1 with a guy who looks like Michael Savage driving it?
Check out www.gmphotostore.com There are several pictures of 68 Camaros with gray grilles. It looks like none of the grilles are painted with black and silver. I assume most of the pictures are from early production and used for advertising.I would be surprised if the grille was painted two different colors since of the labor involved.Maybe I will try and remove some of the black paint from my 68 original grille to see the original color.