69 fender louvers

[Dennis W.]

I have a '69 white coupe with the fender louvers option. I've read here that the louvers are painted silver with chrome accents on the outside edge. However, those on my car are black with the chrome accents. I wouldn't ask if the silver applies to all cars (probably does) but my car is very original and the black doesn't appear to be a repaint. Probably more likely would be that the silver paint has faded but there is no trace of silver, faded or otherwise. They appear to be simply black louvers.

Thanks in advance for your comments - Dennis Wright

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

I have a '69 white coupe with the fender louvers option. I've read here that the louvers are painted silver with chrome accents on the outside edge. However, those on my car are black with the chrome accents. I wouldn't ask if the silver applies to all cars (probably does) but my car is very original and the black doesn't appear to be a repaint. Probably more likely would be that the silver paint has faded but there is no trace of silver, faded or otherwise. They appear to be simply black louvers.

Thanks in advance for your comments - Dennis Wright

Dennis------

The louvers have been painted by someone. The original louvers were silver with chrome edges. By the way, do you know that this car originally had the TJ-2 louver trim option?

[Dennis W.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Thank you, Joe. Yes, I have the tank sheet and the louvers were a factory option. I thought it was a longshot but I've looked at them hard and it isn't apparent that they were painted or that silver paint has faded. They have rock dents due to their location w/o fender flares so I am considering replacing them. Could I get your opinion/advice on that?

Thanks so much - Dennis Wright

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Thank you, Joe. Yes, I have the tank sheet and the louvers were a factory option. I thought it was a longshot but I've looked at them hard and it isn't apparent that they were painted or that silver paint has faded. They have rock dents due to their location w/o fender flares so I am considering replacing them. Could I get your opinion/advice on that?

Thanks so much - Dennis Wright

Dennis-------



Well, since the car was originally delivered with the TJ-2 trim, I suppose it's appropriate and advisable that you replace them with the correct louvers. Actually, these louvers were available from GM until not that long ago. They're discontinued now but, due to their long availability, you may find some on eBay. I believe they're reproduced, too. The GM part numbers were GM #3945247, left, and GM #3945248, right.

As far as the rock chips go, I expect these louvers, as modified, have been on the car a long time. Whether they were exactly original configuration or painted black, they're going to suffer rock damage over time.

[Dennis W.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Thank you, Joe, for this conversation and others that you help. I see your comments fairly often on topics I research. Thank you.

[Dennis W.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Back to this again with a few questions for your comments....

1) Does anyone have experience with Paragon part #12561K (or Corvette Central, etc.) which sells for $194? Paragon carries both this imported version and the GM OEM version. Quoting Paragon, "The paint color on these parts is slightly different than original, and they have other minor cosmetic differences."

The OEM versions are $599 which just seems to be too much for plastic louvers. With that in mind:

2) Does anyone know the silver paint color specifics and where to purchase?

Thanks - Dennis Wright

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Back to this again with a few questions for your comments....

1) Does anyone have experience with Paragon part #12561K (or Corvette Central, etc.) which sells for $194? Paragon carries both this imported version and the GM OEM version. Quoting Paragon, "The paint color on these parts is slightly different than original, and they have other minor cosmetic differences."

The OEM versions are $599 which just seems to be too much for plastic louvers. With that in mind:

2) Does anyone know the silver paint color specifics and where to purchase?

Thanks - Dennis Wright

Dennis------


The louvers are still available from GM. However, at current GM list price a car set (4 left side, 4 right side) would cost about 640 bucks. So, if the $599 you mention is for a car set, that's pretty much in line with GM list price.

By the way, I don't have any of these in my collection and I don't intend to ever add any of these to my collection even if I could buy them at a steep discount. Ever.

[Joe R.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Dennis,

The louvers sold by GM that Joe is referring to are metal and not plastic.The original louvers delivered on your Corvette were metal and not plastic..

JR

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Dennis,

The louvers sold by GM that Joe is referring to are metal and not plastic.The original louvers delivered on your Corvette were metal and not plastic..

JR

JR------


Absolutely correct. I was not even aware that any plastic versions existed in the aftermarket.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Dennis,
Maybe these would work for you. The painted area looks pitted but since they would be painted this is easily addressed. Just a thought.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Corvette-Side-Fender-Louver-Gill-Trim-Molding-PNs-3945247-3945248-Original-/111841762885?hash=item1a0a49de45:g:UwcAAOSwbdpWT8Sh&vxp=mtr

Jeff

[Dennis W.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Thank you, Joe, Joe & Jeff. I see "Extremely Frequent Posters" fairly often but the "Beyond Control Poster" is new to me... and funny!

I haven't removed my louvers yet so I'm sure they will turn out to be metal, not plastic. I called Paragon and their replacements are pot metal according to the lady I talked with who went off-line to check it out.

Jeff, I saw those on Ebay but thanks for the link. If I am going to repaint, I would just use my own which leads me to ask again if anyone knows the paint color specifics and from where I might obtain it.

Thanks so much, you guys are great.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Thank you, Joe, Joe & Jeff. I see "Extremely Frequent Posters" fairly often but the "Beyond Control Poster" is new to me... and funny!

I haven't removed my louvers yet so I'm sure they will turn out to be metal, not plastic. I called Paragon and their replacements are pot metal according to the lady I talked with who went off-line to check it out.

Jeff, I saw those on Ebay but thanks for the link. If I am going to repaint, I would just use my own which leads me to ask again if anyone knows the paint color specifics and from where I might obtain it.

Thanks so much, you guys are great.

Dennis------


Yes, the louvers are zinc diecast ("pot metal").

[Joe R.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Dennis,

Here's a pic of a RH and LH original in the GM boxes. As you can see they are chrome edge, silver painted and pot metal.

JRDSCN4368.jpg

[Dennis W.]

Re: 69 fender louvers

Thanks so much! At the risk of being repetitive, does anyone have specifics on paint color/brand/part number?

Thanks again - Dennis