The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I am looking for a definative answer to this question. What is the correct color for the egg-crate aluminum area of the 1970 R/T grille? The one from my 440 Six pack R/T was painted trim black during the restoration, but I have seen photos in 1970 brochures that show what might be dark argent without texture. I would like to make certain what the correct color is while the one for my 440 R/T SE is still off the car so I can do it right and if necessary swap it onto the R/T.

The RT grill is definately not textured. Non RT grills used argent silver. The RT Challengers I've restored I used satin black or semigloss to obtain the right look. If you are restoring this to an exact correct piece, I'll have to do some checking or get ahold of Roger Gibson. He has restored several of these cars to concourse correct pieces. There is an all MOPAR show this weekend in Columbus, Ohio and they may be the. I'll pose this Question to Frank B. from Roger Gibson Performance.

I am sure that a lot of R/Ts (including mine) came with the center of the grille unpainted.

Thanks guys. I'll look forward to seeing what Roger's guy has to say. I'm 99% certain that the black/black combination for the R/T and the R, U and V-code R/T SE's is correct, but when Paul Herd says it too, you wonder if it is right because he makes so many mistakes in his book.

My grille before I 'restored' it.

I spoke with Frank Badelson from Roger Gibson Performance about what is correct for the egg crate portion of the 70 RT grill. They are natural, which means absolutely no paint or coating. The raised tops of each square section is the polished anodized aluminum. inside the cavity of each is left natural, almost resembling an argent silver appearance. I am going to phone him later this week at work and he says he has some factory data on specs of how Dodge had these made. May be interesting. All I can do is wait and pass any info on to all of you.

So in other words I was right! Not often THAT happens!

Thanks for the info from the Gibson gent and for your time to collect it. I have one unmolested grille that needs restoration, so I'll have to do that one correctly and swap it onto the R/T.

A NOS grille looks like this:

(According to: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... gory=34204 )

That's funny, cause about 60% of RT grills I see are black, egg carton. Goes to show you it pays to join a forum! So does this go for TA's as well? They must just look black cause they're so recessed?

I wait to be slapped down again here.... but the T/A was the only one that DID have the grille painted black.

Someone please clarify this. I have read so much on the proper way to restore these grills, yet I still see inconsistancies. I have collected several pics of NOS 70 RT grills (two sources). They show one ‘rib’ unpainted. I see an equal amount of cars, restored and unrestored with two ribs unpainted. I'm confused, as I might as well do it the right way - which is?

If this has already been answered correctly, sorry. Please send me in the right direction.

If you mean the bright unpainted bit around the cheese grater centre section (??) then think about how it would have been painted when made.

A large mask would have been pushed against the center to keep the paint off that. The mask must have extended right to the outer ribbed section. So any metal behind it would not have paint and the edge would be slightly over-sprayed and not a sharp masked edge.

Mine looked like that when I first got it and I swear it had never been touched from new. Unlike now.

You might also want to check Totally Auto.
They've got the right paint if required.
Graham

Thanks Graham, turns out Totally Auto can not ship Spray cans to Canada. YearOne has the same issue. Totally Auto gave me a distributer's #, located in Saskatoon. ‘Louis Auto’ - a distributer of Totally Auto and Year One products. He's a great guy and will help out as much as he can. He has years of (Mopar resto) knowledge, so don't hesitate to discuss your restoration issues/concerns. He's restoring a 69 Coronet 500. Originally black on black. It's his baby.

anyways, since your Canadian, thought I'd pass the info on to you. his digits are (306) 244-2123. His name is Louis.

Oh, Don't call during prime time cause he likes to talk/help He's a great guy. This is why I love mopars - and their keepers!