On a '70 Bee/RT, is the bumper filler panel always body color or was chrome an option?

I've attempted to rationalize this for some time now without any luck. To be clear; ALL 1970 Coronets have a chrome bumper center and some have a body painted top cap that is rivited to the chrome pce. There is no option code for the cap or lack thereof.

Preproduction and advertising pics (which aren't always 100% correct) all show Bees, R/T's and 500's with the painted center. More importantly, every survivor 'Bee I've seen has had the same painted cap.

Obviously some 1970 Coronets came with the chrome center. There are very few picures of Deluxe model WL21 1970 Coronets and also very few survivors that haven't been used as parts donors for the far more desireable WM and WS cars. less than 2000 WL21 cars were sold in the US. I suspect these and possibly some of the WH 440 cars came "sans painted cap" and the reason that you see so many 'Bees and R/T's without them is simply because the parts cars used in the resto didn't have them. Traditionally extra chrome is expected to be present on the more expensive models, but in this case the chrome showing is due to the DELETION of the painted cap....anyhow this is just one possibilty and a wild theory at this point.

....the only thing I can say with a degree of conviction is that having the painted center is definitely correct.....without the cap it may or may not be.

I'd love to discuss this further to see what we can all learn.



Dave

500 ad;

'Bee ad;

(note missing 'Bee, incorrect grills, lack of center caps)

'bee ad;

another one;

moparts member Andy C's low mileage survivor;

survivor;

survivor R/T

another survivor;



Dave

FY4




Dave

FF4;

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/FleetBook/1970/70_Fleet_Dodge0009.jpg

http://www.imcdb.org/i450087.jpg