Correct Grille Color for '70 Gran Coupe & others

[70GranCoupe]

What is the correct grille color for a 70 Gran Coupe?

Does this color differ from other 70 models?
AARs
Cuda
Barracudas
Gran Coupes

Thanks!
Sean

[4Cruizn]

I think all the barracuda grills came either argent or painted body color.  All but the AAR's and I think grand coupe, they came in a shade of black . . . at least the AAR did for sure!   

[The Cuda Guy]

I think in 1970 are all argent except the AAR they were Black.  They didnt start painting them till 1971.  But as always I have been prooven wrong before so dont take it as the end all be all.

Cuda Guy

[Chryco Psycho]

I know the GC used the AAR crome accent piece in the grille , but I can`t be sure on the color , I think it was Argent for the GC

[70GranCoupe]

Yep you are correct on the chrome accent piece I have those of course they need rechroming.

 According to the Challeger & Barracuda Restoration Guide for 1970 all grilles were painted flat black. 'On all models but the AAR the frame was painted silver; on the AAR it was painted flat black.' They go on to say that in 1971 all Barracuda models came standard with the grille painted Argent Silver, including the inserts, color-keyed grilles were available as optional equipment on Cuda models only in cars of certain colors (I can give these if anyone is interested). Up to build date 08.08.1970, on a Cuda ordered in these colors, the colored painted grille was standard; after this date it was optional. Only the frame of the grille was painted the inserts remained dark grey.'

This info is great except:

1- What do they mean by "the frame was painted silver"?
What is the frame? Don't they mean the grille and bezels, minus of course the trim?

2- When they speak of 1970 they say painted "silver" when they speak of 1971 the specifially say "Argent Silver". Is there a difference or were they just lazy saying "silver" versus "Argent Silver"?

Cause then in the 1971 part they say the "inserts remained dark grey". I assume they are referring back to the previously mentioned "Argent Silver". 

Thanks for helping me decipher the info out there!
Sean

[moparnut]

My 70 GC 383-4 was unrestored when i bought it,it still is,lol,but the resto will start up again in the spring and hopefully be finished this summer.Anyway the grill and tail panel are argent and had never been redone,hope this helps

[Chryco Psycho]

I assume the wehole grille is argent except for the actual slatted part of the grille which was black

[70GranCoupe]

Anybody have a good pic of the grille painted argent with slats black??
Thanks!

[AARudy]

ok, so on the grille fo rmy AAR, will it be ARGENT black? Or flat black? (The hood, and top of the fenders, and tail panel are all black argent....I'm assuming the  grille is too..?

[70GranCoupe]

Not sure about what exact color they mean the Challenger and Barracuda Restoration Guide just says "flat black" so I assume it is the same color as that of the other areas painted "flat black" hood, fender tops, etc.

[bradssdemon]

Anybody have a good pic of the grille painted argent with slats black??
Thanks!

This one is forsale, I can send you the guys E-mail address he's asking $2,250 OBO

[AARudy]

yes, I've been using the resto guide during the whole resto...the auther is always at the Indy swap meet, I should have asked him!! I'm assuming its all black argent paint....the textured stuff....? 

[AARudy]

I just spoke with Mark who runs the AAR registry, he confirmed that:

"The grille, back panel, spoiler, hood and fenders are the same paint, called
organosol black."

He's getting me the code tomorrow.

[GCC]

To what moparnut said - my '70 Gran Coupe grille, bezels and tail panel were all argent with a very rough texture.  I believe there is gold & silver flake in the argent.  I had my grille painted by Southland Restorations out of South Carolina - it was pricey, but looks awesome.  Now I have to somehow match that for the tail panel.

[Green Drop Top]

The Challenger and Barracuda Restoration Guide (and any other book I've ever seen about restoring Mopars) is RIDDLED with errors! Do not believe everything you read, the cars and parts themselves are the best guides concerning originallity.

AAR grills (and headlight buckets) were MOLDED in black plastic, they were not painted at all.

All other 1970 (and 71) Cuda grills were molded in gray plastic (The shade of gray varied, I've seen shades from light gray to a darker gray, but not nearly as dark as black) and painted argent silver.

Only Gran Coupes and AAR grills recieved the chromed plastic rectangular bolt in grill trim pieces, Cuda's recieved a multiple piece red stripe bolt in plastic stripe, base Barracudas recieved no inserts at all. I have seen RARE exceptions to these trim options but believe they were simply factory mistakes (for example, my real 1970 Cuda was missing the red grill stripe from the factory).

All Argent painted grills (all non AAR's) were painted the same shade of textured silver agrent paint

All 1970 Cuda/Barracuda Grills (including AAR) recieved a bolt in chrome plated "plymouth" emblem in the inset area near the far end of drivers side

The best match to OEM piant I've seen is sold by Mike at All trim Specialties in Oregon. Roger Gibson Restorations also carries a close match. All others I've seen sold by several well known vendors are not even close!