New KeyParts Aluminum 1964 to 66 grill and bezel review

[Blk63vette]

Hello
I guess if any one is interested I will give my opinion about the new KeyParts 1964 to 66 Aluminum grill. Well my first impressions it doesn’t look bad. This is made in Taiwan under GM license trademark. This part is better than I expected but I doubt it’s as good as and original GM part. The aluminum seems a little flimsy. Probably not as good quality as and original piece. I think overall they aren't a bad part and a good alternative to original part. I have been looking for and original aluminum grill for a while but I had no luck finding decent one. I will use this one until I can find and original grill. I think this is a good repop piece for the money. Bezels are nice and sold separately

[Blk63vette]

Picshttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=2101861&stc=1&d=1621039723

[Blk63vette]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1621039917

[LostMy65]

Thanks for putting this up.
I've searched, how much is it?
I see it's 6lbs, I wonder how much the original weighs.

[Blk63vette]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Thanks for putting this up.
I've searched, how much is it?
I see it's 6lbs, I wonder how much the original weighs.

Well I bought mine off of eBay. $300.00 plus 50 dollars shipping plus bezels are 50 bucks plus shipping 10 bucks.
These also have some imperfections they were stamped then sanded. But, they are much better than the original banged up grills that seem to be plentiful for some reason.
Pete

[LostMy65]

It looks nice in the pictures.

[Blk63vette]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

It looks nice in the pictures.

Please don’t mistake this as me “whining” about this part. I don’t think there is nothing wrong with this part. I don’t think it’s as good as a Detroit GM piece. Yes I know the factory never made a prefect piece either. I guess I’m so use to the old Corvette world where everyone nit picks a new repop item and compare it to original piece. I tried to find a good used aluminum grill but all I have seen is beat up and dented grills for 350 to 450 dollars or more. The ones that are nice aren’t for sale ��
Pete

[LT1 Burb]

AT least I know I can replace mine if something happens to it, I took it out of a GM box and am always worried about it getting damaged.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Blk63vette

Please don’t mistake this as me “whining” about this part. I don’t think there is nothing wrong with this part. I don’t think it’s as good as a Detroit GM piece. Yes I know the factory never made a prefect piece either. I guess I’m so use to the old Corvette world where everyone nit picks a new repop item and compare it to original piece. I tried to find a good used aluminum grill but all I have seen is beat up and dented grills for 350 to 450 dollars or more. The ones that are nice aren’t for sale ��
Pete

.
That's why I really appreciate the people who appreciate these trucks. We don't pick things apart, we don't belittle other's tastes and choices.

[The Rocknrod]

I just installed mine and once installed it seems much more substantial. Went right on. I was worried about the bolt holes lining up with the grill support once the mounts were installed. I made a couple of slight bend or two on those mounting tabs on the back of the grille itself.
Don't forget the center bracket/bar behind the grill, most people I see do. Overall I agree, it's a great piece.

[roll_the_dice]

Nice review...and a good alternative...no need for a $1000 NOS aluminum grille for my truck! It's not a show truck or a rat rod.

[Blk63vette]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Nice review...and a good alternative...no need for a $1000 NOS aluminum grille for my truck! It's not a show truck or a rat rod.

Thanks👍🏻

[kaycee]

That looks good So who did you order it from ? Wonder what the fenders are like?

[TopFuel1966]

https://www.jegs.com/i/Key-Parts/576/0848-040G/10002/-1

[Blk63vette]

Originally Posted by kaycee

That looks good So who did you order it from ? Wonder what the fenders are like?

Hello
I received mine from eBay
Pete

Thanks for the honest review, Blk63vette! Storing that link for future ref.

I just bought a nice used painted grille in way better shape than mine, will hold me over until I find a straight hood and grille mounting panel and start dressing the old gurl up. Right now that would be lipstick on a pig.

[spudder]

Are the bezels also a new aluminum reproduction?

[Blk63vette]

Originally Posted by spudder

Are the bezels also a new aluminum reproduction?

Yes they are!

[LostMy65]

So if it is thinner aluminum than original, the price is still very reasonable. I wonder if cost versus volume would have made making it of the same thickness of aluminum as original and charging more but selling less.

[pdxhall]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

So if it is thinner aluminum than original, the price is still very reasonable. I wonder if cost versus volume would have made making it of the same thickness of aluminum as original and charging more but selling less.

I'm going to weigh one of mine today to check the weight. Has anyone measured the thickness of the new grill?

[pdxhall]

Originally Posted by pdxhall

I'm going to weigh one of mine today to check the weight. Has anyone measured the thickness of the new grill?

My NOS grill with nothing on it weighed 3lbs. when I weighed it today.

[61hawk]

I got my reproduction in today. I don't have a digital caliper, but my old dial caliper shows it slightly more than 0.40 in thickness. If it's not the same as the original it's very close. I got mine from ClassicParts. I paid $433.15 total for it plus two aluminum headlight bezels.

[Blk63vette]

Congrats
I like mine
Pete