[Dave M]

I was looking at my recently restored 71 Formula and realized something was missing. I forgot to get the PONTIAC letters for the drivers side grill. No big deal. I’ll order some and install them. Except I can’t find them anywhere. I see 72. But no 70-71. Anyone know where I can get it? Thanks
Dave


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[unruhjonny]

really, they are not reproduced?

That's a surprise to me.

I am sure I have a spare or two...

I just looked in the printed Ames catalog, the price shows "inquire", but the part number is FB205

Weird, Classic Industries doesn't offer it (they are my go-to after Ames), neither does Year One (my go-to twenty-five years ago).

[unruhjonny]

ok, so I have dug a little further into this.

My master parts catalog shows some curious tidbits of information;
(print date November 1974)

485602 1967-1969/ALL - PONTIAC /SUP 9878859
481547 1970/ALL - PONTIAC
483933 1971/PONTIAC
487732 1972/PONTIAC EXC TRANS AM
487735 1973/PONTIAC

I included all 67-73 numbers so that you can see how they are originally listed.

Firstly, 1971 used the exact same grilles as 1970, and to the best of my understanding the emblem was called to be installed in the exact same location - so I am unclear why they are different part numbers.

I wanted to speak about the 1967-69 emblem, because it is available as a reproduction;
I bought one a short while back, except mine is not a reproduction, it is an NOS emblem that came with the parts ticket, in the older blue (not brown) GM box.
I grabbed one of my spare grilles which has the 70 emblem installed to compare the two:

Without removing the 70 emblem, the 67-69 emblem appears to be a near dead ringer;
The tiny grille locating studs behind the "T" appear to be in exactly the same spot;
The longer studs behind the "C" & "P" are almost perfectly in line with the '70 studs - but it appears as though the 67-69 (lets call it a 69 emblem from this point forward) has the stud behind the "C" set a little higher - the 69 emblem has the stud in line with the "-" in between the "A" & "C", while the 70 emblem has it set lower on the "C", with a tiny locating stud just above the "-".
On the other end of the emblems (at the "P"), the 69 emblem has two tiny locating studs, while the 70 has one - but the top 69 stud, is in the same spot as the one used on the 70 emblem.
The mounting stud (uses a nut) on the 69 emblem has a cast shoulder on it which may need to be trimmed back (a file should do the trick)...

Now, lets pause for a second;
The emblem itself is actually one half of the puzzle;
The other half is the little mounting brackets that the nuts sinch up against.

If I leave the brackets where they need to be on the 70 grille to mount the 70 emblem, but try to install the 69 emblem, it mounts almost perfectly with no modification in the correct spot.

I have tried to picture this for you...

here are the two beside each other:


Here is the 70 emblem held in place with the brackets:


Here is the 69 emblem held in place - with the 70 brackets where they are supposed to be:


The only obvious difference is the location where the "C" stud pokes up.

[unruhjonny]

here are close ups of the mounting and alignment studs of the 70 emblem:

[unruhjonny]

here are close ups of the 69 emblem on the 70/71 grille with the same brackets in place:

[unruhjonny]

also, incidentally, I have never known the 70 & 71 grille emblems to be differentiated - but maybe I just missed this factoid...

The NOS 69 emblem I have here has on the back a casted in number 9788859;
This 70 emblem has on the back a casted in number 480863

I hope this helps

And If you are interested in buying one of my spare emblems, I can see if I have the little brackets to go with it.

[Ramairnacho]

Here is a pic of mine from 1970 grill emblem never removed

[72projectbird]

I'll see if I have one. If I do, you're more than welcome to it.

[Formulabruce]

On the parts catalog numbers, and this has been discussed on here in past. The reason there are two numbers is because one number is a " kit " for dealer or body shop. Other number is just the " bare emblem" which will match the number on the emblem itself. Kit has specific washers and the speed nuts.

[Singleton]

Originally Posted by Ramairnacho

Here is a pic of mine from 1970 grill emblem never removed

It’s been removed and reinstalled incorrectly. Too far down and too far to the left. Also the retaining brackets are installed incorrectly, look at the one behind the “C”.

[Ramairnacho]

Originally Posted by Singleton

It’s been removed and reinstalled incorrectly. Too far down and too far to the left. Also the retaining brackets are installed incorrectly, look at the one behind the “C”.

I have never touch this emblem.ans had car since I was 6 years old. I highly dought its ever been removed. But shoe us correct location sir. This is one on my esprit l65. Im.no expert still learning about my car

[Singleton]

Nacho, the last pic that you posted has the correct emblem location, the one you show in post #7 isn’t. Comparing the two, it’s easy to see the difference in location and the orientation of the retaining brackets behind the emblem

[Singleton]

File I have

[tdavidl]

damn you singleton....now i'm gonna have to check mine to make sure i put it back in the right spot 15 yrs ago lol.....

[unruhjonny]

lol

I was surprised when I saw very precise location/install instructions;
It really made sense once you put it in place with the correct brackets.

[Ramairnacho]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

lol

I was surprised when I saw very precise location/install instructions;
It really made sense once you put it in place with the correct brackets.

We are always learning something new.

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

also, incidentally, I have never known the 70 & 71 grille emblems to be differentiated - but maybe I just missed this factoid...

The NOS 69 emblem I have here has on the back a casted in number 9788859;
This 70 emblem has on the back a casted in number 480863

I hope this helps

And If you are interested in buying one of my spare emblems, I can see if I have the little brackets to go with it.

Sure let me know how much you want. You can either DM me or email.
David.marquis68@gmail.com

Thanks!!

[unruhjonny]

Mine would be coming from Canada, so shipping alone might make it more expensive than getting from another member;
I would be happy to sell my spare, but need to (re)point out this post:

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

I'll see if I have one. If I do, you're more than welcome to it.

Seems like a deal that should be hard to pass up on!

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

Mine would be coming from Canada, so shipping alone might make it more expensive than getting from another member;
I would be happy to sell my spare, but need to (re)point out this post:



Seems like a deal that should be hard to pass up on!

Good Point. I didn't see his comment. Thanks

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

I'll see if I have one. If I do, you're more than welcome to it.

Yes please. Let me know if you do have one and how much you want for it. Thanks!!