71 Cuda Grille

About to start on restoration of a 71 340 Cuda same owner/stored since early 80's basically all original. The question is the grille. There is evidence of old collision repair. The grille is black with the lower mounting strip behind the bumper car color. I believe this is a replacement grille. Having had a 70 new in 70 and having 42 years in the biz I only recall 71 grilles being in argent or car color. I do not remember any 71 grilles in black. Build sheet is present. None of my references list any codes for the grille. Do any of you E body gurus know the code we could reference from the bouild sheet? This is the last tidbit of info we need. Thanks for any assistance anyone may render.

when you say black - do you mean like dark textured argent? - I've seen 2 in my life and both owners said they were replacement grilles from over the counter from back in the early 80's when they were purchased - don't know about the body color on bottom though...

There were 9 different body colored grills - What color is the car?

list of painted bumpers & grills here on MOPARTS

Car is autum bronze and the grille is a smooth flat type black. Not having sanded on it I can't say for sure but it appears as bare black plastic which is how I remember replacement grilles for car color applications being supplied. Argent grilles were as I recall factory finished at least through the the 70's.

And just to put some more into the game it is an export car that never got exported and is sufficiently optioned to have two tags and is a factory billboard car so does the billboard figure into the grille issue?

GK6 '71 'Cudas (BS) should've had a body-colored-grill from the factory, with or without billboards. With all the STANDARD accessories & mouldings it's not hard to get a 'Cuda to 2 fender tags.

& I don't think Chrysler had an "unfinished" grill available.

Chrome or argent headlight bezels?

The H/L bezels are chrome. We are also wondering about the filler panel for the lower valance, car color or black as we have seen both.

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The H/L bezels are chrome. We are also wondering about the filler panel for the lower valance, car color or black as we have seen both.

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Hmmm...I've yet to have seen a black lower insert from the factory?, Argent (silver) or color keyed to the grille is the norm