Show me your 1971 Grill
 

Like the title says, but I'm really looking for the original configuration with the black painted surround, which seems to be rare to find. Most all seem to have "turned into" the 1972 grill - perhaps they just wore off too easily.

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

I think you are right, even in the 90's you couldn't find a 71 grill that didn't have the paint worn off. All of the NOS grills that were available the also only came in the 72 paint scheme.

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

Now you got me looking. Did you see this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=574053

another in here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=601644

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

Here is pictures of my 71 grill. The one I replaced it with did not have the black on the grill.

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

1971 C20 Longhorn
Factory, as far as I can tell...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/p...ictureid=26974

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

Interesting post OP, so all 71's would have had a black painted stripe around the grill like that?? Mine has the black around the headlights but no sign at all of any black around the grill, it's just shiny aluminum or metal all around.

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

Good thread idea. My 69 k10 has a 71 grill in it but only parts of the bottom edge and a little on the sides near the headlights are all that’s left of the stripe. I like the perimeter strip of the ‘71 a lot.

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

thanks everyone! the one link has a really nice example (medium blue truck) with that painted surround. It sounds like I peeked curiosity a bit, and perhaps made a few unbeknownst of this rare feature.

Keep posting pix if you have 'em

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

I'm glad you brought it up. I forget this detail and re-learn it every few years, because it's just not that often a 71 still sports that black surround.

Re: Show me your 1971 Grill
 

That is not a surprise that later service replacement grilles were the later 72 style. Quite common from Chevy to use later style stuff that was the same/similar to another year to cut down on special parts. There was probably correctly painted 71 pieces made during the actual production year, but as soon as the 72 came out, they would have swapped out the part with the new unit and reused the part number. Chevy did this as well with 67 and 68 Camaro RS grilles.