NOS sail panels
 

I have seen some discussion on this site about the NOS and the reproduced sail panels for the 64-66 trucks. Could someone please discuss the differences between the two versions? I'am a stickler for NOS parts myself. Often paying much more for a NOS than a repo. I also know that sometimes the differences are very significant, to the eye, as well as fitment. But the difference in the two versions of sail panels is something I've never heard discussed. I would appreciate hearing from those of you that know the difference, if there is. Thanks in advance.

Re: NOS sail panels
 

Re: NOS sail panels
 

Sorry, not reproduction.. misread

Re: NOS sail panels
 

I can't speak of NOS but I have multiple sets of originals. I ordered 2 sets of reproduction sets from 2 different companies. Both were counter part items. They looked ok but not in my opinion for a real nice restoration. Maybe daily driver. I ended up sending an original set to a place and had them stripped an polished, cost me $145 with shipping and they turned out real nice. I did have to paint the black back on them. Hope this helps.

Re: NOS sail panels
 

Thanks for your opinion. Thats the kind of personal info I was hoping for. Interesting that you said you wouldn't use the repros on a nice restoration. I have a NOS aluminum grille in my garage. And It has that aged hue to the color, which is what I look for in NOS trim. I once read somewhere that some fellows where taking NOS aluminum grilles and having them stripped and re-anodized. To each his own. Thank You

Re: NOS sail panels
 

They do that because when these trucks were first being built the anodizing was brighter on these trucks than the NOS grilles that were made later as replacement parts. Sometimes you get lucky and find a bright one and other times there as dull as a used one.

Re: NOS sail panels
 

The original grill from my '66 was much nicer than the NOS grill I bought... anodizing looked much cloudier on the NOS grill and the stamping didn't seem to be as crisp in places. I'd go with a nice original over NOS in some cases.

Re: NOS sail panels
 

Thanks, The NOS aluminum grille that I have, and the few that I have seen, are all nice. The bright work is like new. Very shiny. My NOS grille has headlight bezels that have been reworked and reanodized. Someone did a very nice job of refinishing them. But, When I first layed eyes on the grille the bezels stuck out like a sore thumb. Atleast to me. This is the reason I asked about the sail panels. If the only difference is the look of the finish then that would be a personal preference. Wouldn't it? But, if in fact there is a difference in the stamping, say perhaps something that is visible, then in my opinion they are just not correct. Again thanks to those that have weighed in on this. Yes I'm a stickler for those little details. I have been around many original vehicles of all types, and there is nothing that matches an original well preserved automobile. Just my 2 cents.