New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and grille

[tobyp]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

Agree that chroming the edge won't cut it on an exterior molding like the headlamps, even though the parking lamps are done that way. But then, those suck after a while too, and you really can't fix them. It would be nice if they held up, but I think to get it right it'd be more work and $$ than it's worth.

I've redone my 84 bezels before when they got worn. The chrome edge stays on, but minor rock chips, etc., lets the chrome start to show through after awhile. My point is, it's easier to redo the black and make it look decent than redo the chrome edge.

My suggestion is not to waste a bunch of time on the chrome bezels, just let the buyers mask, scuff and paint the innards (it isn't that difficult). And make the 83 H/Os totally in black ABS. I know I don't get a vote, but if'n I did, that's what I'd do.

The bigger question is, if you're going after better than GM, did you beef up the gussets on the grille mounting holes. Because if you didn't, there's going to be some broken aftermarket grilles down the road.

We did not look at changing any geometry on the grilles at all. One thing that I noticed on fitting even NOS grilles for 86 onto my 81 if I changed the slightest mounting setup the grille would not look right and mount wrong. So I want to, at first keep everything the same to make sure we are on the right path. I will be test fitting those grilles into my 442 today since my 81 is in storage, pics soon!

 

[lightemup2]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

are you going to produce grills for the 78 cutlass calais?? i need some and i cant find them anywhere!!! and i'll deffantly buy!

 

[L92 OLDS]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

The bigger question is, if you're going after better than GM, did you beef up the gussets on the grille mounting holes. Because if you didn't, there's going to be some broken aftermarket grilles down the road.

We did not look at changing any geometry on the grilles at all. One thing that I noticed on fitting even NOS grilles for 86 onto my 81 if I changed the slightest mounting setup the grille would not look right and mount wrong. So I want to, at first keep everything the same to make sure we are on the right path. I will be test fitting those grilles into my 442 today since my 81 is in storage, pics soon!

I can understand your reluctance to change the part geometry due to the risk but simple things like breaking sharp edges to fix stress risers and adding rads is something your tooling source can do for free and would not effect fitment. DPM (Detroit Plastics Molding) molded most of the G body tooling for GM back in the day and did a horrible job with regards to tool workmanship. Polish, flash, unbroken edges, poor steel conditions and ugly undercuts hacked in with a pencil grinder are just a few things that could easily be corrected in new tooling. BTW..what is timing for availability on this stuff (including the seat covers).

 

[tobyp]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

Here is our official test fit pictures of T1 samples on blade grilles and chrome bezels. Now, keep in mind, any small imperfections you notice are just because they have not finalized any finishes. THese are just prototypes used for test fitting purposes. What I concentrate on is the before and after pictures with the original equipment in comparison with the Aftermarket. So I pay attention to lines and fit only. I'd say these are pretty good. I disclaim....I only did this to my 442 for test fit purposes only, it will go back to original 😀 :!:

 

[88hurstolds]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

When doing the laser measureing etc... did you guys also take in consideration the thickness of the chrome when applied?
Perhaps maybe that is why the parts are coming out a little thicker???

It wouldn't hurt to add strenth to the gussets by making the webbing thicker and filleting the edges.

 

[tobyp]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

When doing the laser measureing etc... did you guys also take in consideration the thickness of the chrome when applied?
Perhaps maybe that is why the parts are coming out a little thicker???

It wouldn't hurt to add strenth to the gussets by making the webbing thicker and filleting the edges.

I am unsure of the thickness of the chrome being thicker. I have NOS grilles on my 81, but it is over at my off site garage. Brian seems to think they are heavier but I would want to compare and weigh to see that difference if any. They are chroming the items at 28-35u thickness and the factory was more than likely thick like this as well. I'll mic the differences and report when I get the car back out.

 

[69hurstolds]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

Consider a couple years ago, these didn't exist. They look great!!!

 

[L92 OLDS]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

I am unsure of the thickness of the chrome being thicker. I have NOS grilles on my 81, but it is over at my off site garage. Brian seems to think they are heavier but I would want to compare and weigh to see that difference if any. They are chroming the items at 28-35u thickness and the factory was more than likely thick like this as well. I'll mic the differences and report when I get the car back out.

If you have a weight difference it will likely be in the molded part and have very little to do with the chroming process. Many factors in the mold building process, injection molding process and material selection will effect overall part weight.

 

[BillsHoe]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

They look awesome might replace my oem which have been repaired with a new strong set.look really good

 

[tobyp]

Re: New aftermarket Oldsmobile cutlass supreme bezels and gr

Here is a good picture of my NOS bezels against my aftermarket ones. The NOS are in the back, AM in front. They weigh exactly the same.