I just received my new TPP grille and thought that I would give a little report based on my experience. I will base this report by directly comparing several original GM grilles, the GSCA grille and the new TPP grille. I'm doing this without trying to be in competition with the other threads that are ragging on certain products from certain vendors. I'm just giving MY opinion based on my observations. The TPP GRILLE, After placing all four grilles in a row, I immediately noticed the first and most incorrect item was on the TPP grille. Its the fact that all edges of the grille have an over generous amount of radius applied to them. This would be obvious to the trained eye from maybe ten feet. The center egg crates appear much softer to the eye because of the excessive radius on the edges. The original GM grille is very flat and flush appearing in comparison. The vertical and horizontal bars measure near the original. The original GM nominal measurements are, vertical bars .075 and the horizontal bars .065, with very minimal radii on all edges. The top center mounting boss is too long, (as reported elseware on another thread). This should be addressed on any new grilles I hope. (TPP?) The paint looks good, but is still not 100% correct according to my GM originals. The black in the center of the center bar stops at the bottom and the top. It should continue along the bottom and sides of the two main grille surrounds, and then along the top of the grille. Mine are both black in these areas. I do recall seeing some grilles that are silver on the top. I dont know if one or both are correct with different production dates, etc, all I know for sure is that my original GM ones are both black on top. This still in my opinion is not a big issue. Its only a little paint! The over generous radii actually looks pleasing to the eye and has a little more ergonomic appearance. Another bonus with this grille is the fact that it comes finished, (although not completely correct), and with mounting hardware. It would however, take a TREMENDIOUS amount of work, if not impossible, to pass this off as an official GM original. Overall I would give this grille a VERY GOOD rating. Its just a nice piece, even if its not PERFECT! When properly installed it would appear to be just another beautiful part of the car to the average observer, and not a cheap ugly aftermarket part. The GSCA GRILLE The GSCA grille is a good part, especially when considering that they were a one-time production part meant to fill a major void, and not meant to be a long run, repeat product. The grille has the egg crate vertical and horizontal bars a little too wide when compared to an original. They measure, Vertical from .085/ .090 and Horizontal from .083 / .085. This amount is noticeable when side-by-side, but most people will never know when not placed directly next to an original. The edge radius is very near the original. All other aspects appear to be very close to original. The finish is a little on the rough side and would need to be sanded prior to paint to be correct. All mount bosses appear to be the correct height. There is no apparent warpage on this grille but it has not seen any daylight or on car usage as of yet. The backside of this grille would be a dead giveaway that this is an aftermarket part. Because of the manufacturing process, this is a rough looking backside. With the right amount of work, this grille could maybe pass for an original GM grille from the outside. Once you look deeply inside the car at the backside there is no dispute that this is NOT an NOS part. This grille when properly finished would be an excellent grille that could fool most casual observers, but not the seasoned Buick expert. Once again, I would give this grille a VERY GOOD rating. The only drawback is that for most people, it might be tough to finish this grille to an acceptable level without professional help. That translates to more cost. Direct comparison Both aftermarket grilles seem to have the center vertical bar leaning a little too far forward when compared to the originals. This might all come out when they are mounted in the car. I have NOT done this so other than the TPP mounting boss issue, this might be a mute point. Both the Original GM and the TPP have the same amount of flex when tested in the same inconspicuous spots, while the GSCA grille seems to be more flexible. Is this bad or good I dont know? Does it have something to do with the reported warpage? Dont know that either. In my honest and totally unprofessional opinion, I think that both grilles are a good value. The GSCA grille in my opinion is done and gone. It was a one-time deal that was an attempt to fill a void and I thank them for their attempt. The TPP grille on the other hand is a good part that is and will be readily available in the future, (unless too many people nit pick it to death, in which case we wont have any grille available!) Again, thank you TPP for offering this and other GS parts that we so desperately need. Hindsight is 20/20 which makes it easy to complain now, BUT I dont see any other supplier coming up with this many Buick aftermarket parts. I think with TA and several others making speed parts and TPP and a few others making cosmetic parts, there should be some serious Buicks for competitors to deal with. I think both grilles have a place in our Buick world and the great majority of us wont care if your nice GS has a TPP, GSCA, or GM grille in it. When it comes to a concourse type show car there really is only one option, you need to get an original GM or NOS grille. A real pro will pick out the aftermarket. The good thing is that there are more NOS grilles out there than there may ever be of concourse Buick GSs. If you need it, you must pay, thats all there is to it. If you cant afford it, you shouldnt be doing it, end of story. Constructive criticism is always a good thing. Vendors need to know if something isnt right. As long as whats wrong is corrected, it just makes for a better product in the end. Lets all give feedback to our vendors, good or bad. Lets just not jump to the conclusions that theyre all here just to rip you off. I for one as a supplier of specialty Buick components hope to hear back from my customers either way. These are just my opinions and I welcome the comparisons from others. Thanks, Steve
Thanks, Steve for this objective feedback. It will still be possible to order a GSCA grill, as the molds (1970 and 1971) will still be there. Buick people now have 2 grills sources each having advantages and disavantages, I don't think we'll complain on that, since a couple years ago nothing was available. Olivier
Grilles Thanks Olivier I didn't know that the GSCA grilles would still be available. As I understood it in the begining, the molds were only good for the first run before qaulity diminishes. Anyway that's good to know. Up until a few years ago I was always very nervous about driving my car around with the fear of having a fender bender. If it were to happen today it would still be a costly fix, but at least the parts availability is becoming a smaller issue. Thanks, Steve
that's correct but molds are redone on regular basis. I have the first one on display in my garage... Olivier
