Some FYI about the chrome grilles:
1947 to 1951 chrome grilles were RPO 386 (regular production order)
No chrome for 1952 and 1953, all was painted (mostly grey) Almost all the
original chrome items in the cab were plastic or a mixture of painted metals
and plastic
1954 to 1955 1st: Chrome items came in a package known as RPO 393 (Chrome
equipment) when ordered in conjunction with RPO 390 (Deluxe equipment)
Alot of people that had turned in their older vehicles 1947 to 1951, they
had the dealership remove the painted grille and replace it with their old
chrome grille.
Jon 50 3104
Chicago burbs
----- Original Message -----
From: <RobertHeil@hellausa.com>
To: "Durwood B. Darbin" <dhckdkcsk@hotmail.com>
Cc: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>; <owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2001 8:34 AM
Subject: RE: [oletrucks] Grille on '50
> Durwood,
>
> Flame you? Heck no! Your knowledge on these trucks is well respected by
> all on the list, and appreciated.
> My information stating no chrome grilles on the '51's come from statements
> I (believe) I read in the book "How to restore your Chevy Pickup". Mr.
> Carter could be very correct in his statements regarding the '52 & '53
> models. (I was still in diapers when these models were new, so I sure as
> shoot don't remember!) Seems to me that over the years, since early
> childhood, that I have seen loads of what I understood to be original
> '52's & '53's with chrome grilles. Personally, I couldn't give a
> golly-gosh-darn if any owner wants chrome or not for his truck. It's his
> title on the machine, so knock yourself out! To me, it's more a point of
> curiousity, what models came with or without the chrome, specific to a
> particular year.
>
> Different subject (as long as I have your attention)
>
> Several years ago I recall watching a movie on PBS that was made in the
> early 50's (B&W). It was either a documentary or one of those "Jack
Handy"
> Industrial films that was shot in a Chevy assembly plant and it revolved
> around a fellow installing window glass and doors on new pickup truck
cabs.
> I remember that the cabs were moved station to station on wheeled dollies.
> Does this ring-a-bell with any of you? It was kinda cool for what it was.
>
> Bob Heil
> '51 3600 (with at painted grille) in pieces
>
>
>
>
> "Durwood B.
> Darbin" To: RobertHeil@hellausa.com
> <dhckdkcsk@ho cc: oletrucks@autox.team.net,
> tmail.com> owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net
> Subject: RE: [oletrucks]
Grille on '50
> 05/10/01
> 09:09 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Bob,
>
> The latest Jim Carter 1947-1955 first catalog, page 6, titled 'For the
> Perfectionist' reads, "Shortages during the Korean War are the primary
> reason for the eliminating of bright work on the 1952 and 1953 truck.
> Therefore, painted items on these trucks included: hub caps, bumpers,
> grille, radio speaker horizontal trim, glovebox door, etc. Interior
window
>
> cranks and wiper knobs changed to maroon plastic." One can only wonder
why
>
> the hood emblem was changed to stainless steel during 1953.
>
> Also the chrome grill was an option for all other years and not standard.
> If ya didn't want to pay the extra bucks for chrome then ya got a painted
> grill.
>
> Once I thought that I made a mistake but it turned out that I was wrong!
> (Just kidding!) Please don't flame me for that last sentence.
>
> >Chrome or no Chrome? My understanding is that all grilles were painted
in
> >model year 1951 only, and chrome grilles were a standard option for all
> >other model years. The quality of the plating was very poor in '52 & '53
> >due to the reduced nickel content in the process. Nickel was critical in
> >the production of artillery shells.
> >
> >Bob Heil
> >'51 3600 in pieces
>
> Durwood
> 51 Chevy 1/2 ton Deluxe 5 window
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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