VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1939 Chevy Coupe Grill

I have located an original grill for my car. I have been told it is in great shape but has been painted. I would like your thoughts on what a fair price would be.

Sorry if this question has been asked a million times or this is the wrong forum for such a post.

Thank you

Depends on the condition of the metal. During WWII new replacement grilles were painted light gray. They can be shrome plated. If an original chrome grill with the chrome painted over (due to rust) plating could be expensive. Really difficult so say a price but would guess around $100. I wouldn't buy it unseen.

Thanks for answering. I will be looking at it today. The price is much more than $100. I passed on it once before because of the price but am buying some more parts today so will look at the grill.

Thanks again

If there is any damage other than paint and you're planning to have it re-chromed be aware that plating by itself is very expensive and pre-plating repairs are even more expensive. My '38 grill with no damage other than surface rust cost me just under $1000 to re-plate five years ago. I've read a number of posts indicating the same would cost me 50% more today. Repairs will run that up higher. Having said that my preference is re-plating OEM parts rather then buying repop parts even if it costs more.

Well I did not see the grill yesterday because it snowed. Made plans for next week. Don't think I can afford to buy the grill, get it repaired and chromed. May just have to buy a reproduction and have it painted. How good do they fit? I have a friend that does powder coating. Would this be a good way to go?

Well I finally got to see the grill. Except for the chrome it looks almost perfect. When I first saw it it looked so small laying on the table. They look so much bigger on the car. As far as the chrome I have no idea because by the time I go see it the owner had primed it black.

I swallow real hard and bought it.

Charlie

Depending on your preferences there is a "chrome" paint; not rattle can, available from auto-paint suppliers. One of my buddies used it on his street rod and it turned out looking much better than expected. It was also much easier on the wallet. His grill had rust pits and needed hours of prep work.