Grilles: Re-production vs. Original

[Topcat]

Our grilles are one of the priceiest items on our cars. Especially the 70-71's.
Now 72-74's are needing to go repro.

So now there are a few companies offering reproduction grilles. What's your feedback on how well they fit and are they durable based from your experience.

[the_engineers]

Mine's original but I'm anxious to see how the latest batch of repro 71's are holding up...anyone?...anyone?

[Topcat]

BEA was supposedly going to re make the 71 grilles. There was a place in Fresno, CA. making 71 grilles. I don't think they're in business now.

 I recall hearing from a member that it reminded him of the material the little green Army men were made out of.

I also remember reading that one person said that the grill warped from heat. Hopefully their better made now.

[dutch]

might be a dumb question, but has anyone ever tried to recover the original moulds?   were they destroyed or what? 

[ajantics]

I am looking for a repro grille for my 73 and I am not excited about how expensive they are at all!
Does anyone have any feedback with the grilles from Classic Automotive Reproduction?

"Some hollow places and weak spots have been filled in to supply additional strength. Light prep work is required before painting and this product is produced from a plastic currently being used in the automotive industry."

http://www.cudagrille.com/

[ragtopdodge]

I am looking for a repro grille for my 73 and I am not excited about how expensive they are at all!
Does anyone have any feedback with the grilles from Classic Automotive Reproduction?

"Some hollow places and weak spots have been filled in to supply additional strength. Light prep work is required before painting and this product is produced from a plastic currently being used in the automotive industry."

http://www.cudagrille.com/

They're garbage.

Onnly repro grille out there wort its salt I hear is the BE&A one for the 1970.

[MJS73]

Goodmark makes a repro grille for the '72-74 Challenger.  Good quality, too.

Mike

[72hemi]

I used a goodmark repop grille in my 70 cuda and it was awesome. That being said I have since sold the car and dont know if it has since warped or not. I heard the repop 71 grilles were garbage.

[Cuda Commando]

Just checked out P.P.R. web site.Plain 71 grille is $375,painted one in argent is $525 inserts are $165.They dont look bad in the photos.How they feel is another matter, but after being told they were impossible to get hold of,at least someone is producing them.

[ajantics]

Is there anyone else out there making repro 72-74 cuda grilles?

[4 speed fish]

The goodmark 70 cuda  grille looks and fit perfect.

[the_engineers]

Just checked out P.P.R. web site.Plain 71 grille is $375,painted one in argent is $525 inserts are $165.They dont look bad in the photos.How they feel is another matter, but after being told they were impossible to get hold of,at least someone is producing them.

Premier Products, or whatever they're calling themselves this time, has historically produced junk.  That opinion comes from the few that have recieved grilles, not the many who paid and recieved NOTHING.

[dutch]

The biggest problem I think with making these grilles ( or any plastic repro part )  is shrink.  If you would make a mould from an existing product, your product coming from the new mould will be 3 t0 6% too small ( depending on choice of material ofcourse )  so basically you would have to hand-make a new grill that is say 4% larger than an original, and make a mould from that one....