What is the correct Finish for the front Grill?

[Mark Evans]

My grill is painted with the argent silver color?

If its Anodized, Should it be Bright finish like the Side trim Pcs. or something else?

[rogerh]

There were several grille types for 1959.
The cheapest one was a grille made of smooth aluminum bars. I think they WERE painted argent.
Then there was the type of grille also having smooth bars, as above, but the whole thing was bright-anodized.
Then there was the type of grille which had rows of grooves cut into the horizontal bars, and the whole thing was bright-anodized.
Most owners prefer the grooved-bars style, as it adds sparkle and detail to the front end.
(Just for general knowledge, the side trim is stainless steel, the grille and trunk-mounted fake spare tire insert are anodized aluminum, and the taillight housings and fender mirrors are chrome-plated pot metal.)

[Mark Evans]

Thanks Roger

I will go with a Bright Anodized Grill same as the Alum. Dimpled Alum Flat side trim that is between the Stainless.
Mark

[rogerh]

Mark,
The anodized side trim pieces are usually called "inserts".
In your earlier post, I mistakenly thought you were referring to the stainless side trim.
In my mind, the inserts should not have quite as bright and shiny a look as the bright-anodized grilles.
I don't think I've ever seen NOS inserts...Tom Fox, does your convertible have NOS inserts?
Let's get some more input from Listmembers before you head for the anodizers!

[Matthew Keij]

I think the smooth grilles also were anodized.

Earl Hess bought one at Carlisle that was nos and it wasn't painted for sure

[Ron Keij]

I did see a complete set of NOS inserts for a Fury two years ago at Carlisle and they were anodized. The set sold for $200 but unfortunately the seller did not have the Sport Fury inserts

Ron

[tomf]

My convertible inserts are original pieces to the car.

Tom

[rogerh]

Thanks to both the Keijs and Tom Fox for replying, however the question has not been answered. Are inserts supposed to be BRIGHT-anodized?
Matthew, you reiterated what I said in my post...I wrote that Style #2 was smooth grilles with bright-anodizing.
I HAVE seen painted smooth grilles in a wrecking yard...on a Savoy. I believe it could have been factory-original. They were all bent up so I tossed them.

[Mark Evans]

Thanks for the Replies,
I did some more research on my Grill,
It is a smooth bar type that was painted,Paint remover reveals a non bright finish.
My grills are in Great condition and I want to finish in the Orig Condition,Don't know if somebody replaced these grills?
Did a SFury come with the smooth bar type and with what finish?
Fyi
I have a NOS lower grill Bar P/N 1902618,that is smooth and Bright?

I also have a NOS Alum side insert P/N 1902654 that is a Bright finish,It is not the same dimple patten( smaller dimples in a continuous pattern) as my inserts,Could it be a 1958 pc.?

Questions,
1)Grill bar type and Finish?
2)Side Inserts bright finish?
3)New one,Should the Trunk Alum Spare tire Insert be a Bright finish ?
Thanks in advance
Mark

[Ron Keij]

Mark,

It is hard to know things for sure as they used different parts in different plants. As far as I know the inserts were all bright anodized and so was the spare tire insert. It could be that the grill was painted in some plants but most of them were anodized as well, I have never seen one that was painted.

Ron

[rogerh]

All good questions, and difficult to answer!
As Ron wrote, different plants occasionally had slightly different materials at their disposal.
Also, there were updates and changes as the year progressed.
Your P/N 1902 654 is correct for a Fury, it's NOT for a Sport Fury.
MY take on the grilles is as I stated earlier-

Three types of Grilles
1) smooth bars, and painted
2) smooth bars, and bright-anodized
3) grooved horizontal bars, and bright-anodized

I have seen 2)s and 3)s on various Sport Furys thru the years. Personally I prefer Type 3). other people prefer Type 2). My guess is that Type 3) was a mid-year change/"upgrade". Mopar was known to make subtle changes in spring-time to boost sales. Your grilles could easily have been changed at any time in its life.
You write that your Type 1)s are in good shape. Look into the cost of having them anodized versus finding a set of NOS/excellent Type 2)s or 3)s.
My only question is the level of anodized "shine"(if there is such a thing?).
Certainly your re-chromed bumpers and fender mirrors will be very brilliant and mirror-like. Your stainless will also be bright. Anodise coating is not mirror-like, but bright nonetheless. As long as all the anodized parts match in finish, your car will look "balanced".
After you speak to the anodizer, please share with us what you learn!

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Just looked at my Grill I took off when I stripped the car down to bare body, my original Grill on my convertible is grooved style and at one time was bright but now is a little off on the brightness level but it will go back on as is. ( I will clean it of the dust and dirt part)

Just chipping in....


John Q.

[RICKYMOPAR]

I can't tell you. Someone painted mine flat black, but the forward most was bright aluminum and grooved, being the paint fell off. Actually looks really looks nice.. even being wrong!