65 Barracuda grill differences

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Bob Jasinski

Bob Jasinski

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So...I learned something new today. I have my original damaged center grill and a replacement of same (used) bought on eBay 20 years ago. I'm in the process of installing the grill assembly and noticed there is a mounting point on the replacement grill that doesn't exist on the original, and there are additional cast-in support bars. Since my FS is an early car (Dec '64), I suspect the change was made later in production to strengthen it and make it more durable. I'd like to know what type of bracket or connection to the radiator support the later cars had to bolt this center point to. All the other mounting points are the same, later grill center on top, original on bottom.

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Never noticed, also Never realized there were ever reproduced. Learn something every day! 65
 
Plymouth 65 said:
Never noticed, also Never realized there were ever reproduced. Learn something every day! 65
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They are not reproduced, the pictures are two original grills. Is there a bracket for the center mount on the upper grill? Anyone have one of these? please have a look.
 
Never seen one like the top version. Maybe an Aussie made part?
 
cudamark said:
Never seen one like the top version. Maybe an Aussie made part?
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Cudamark, What makes you think it's an Aussie part? I bought the entire grill, (center and L&R sides) on eBay in 2006 from a seller in New Jersey. My March 1966 parts book shows the center grill with 5 vertical bars and a "brace", which I assume goes to the center mount point.

Edit: Just looked close at the mount point, and it is not threaded.

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I just don't remember seeing any with the 5 vertical bars. Maybe I just didn't pay enough attention to them, or, just didn't come across any in the 7 '65's and 3 '64's I used to have.
 
cudamark said:
I just don't remember seeing any with the 5 vertical bars. Maybe I just didn't pay enough attention to them, or, just didn't come across any in the 7 '65's and 3 '64's I used to have.
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I'm thinking it was a late production change. Why the mount hole isn't threaded is hard to understand. Maybe a self threading bolt is used there.
 
Just went out and took this pic of the back of the grill in my son's 65... looks like a small bracket goes there.

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I have one of each of those Bob. I sold the shell with the fender tag to another member here several years ago..."Littleluke" The other car I sold to Mopar puller. They were both 1965 but I don't have the fender tag info for build dates.
 
jeff alder said:
I have one of each of those Bob. I sold the shell with the fender tag to another member here several years ago..."Littleluke" The other car I sold to Mopar puller. They were both 1965 but I don't have the fender tag info for build dates.
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Thanks Jeff. Now I have to find the brace or make one up. Evidently the grill was not common, but I'm glad to have it!
 
My first 64 has the five bar uprights and the bracket. It's a fairly early 64 too. I bought my Barracuda in 1970 so it is possible that it was replaced before I got it but I doubt it. My second 64 Barracuda has the three uprights with no bracket. Another Mopar mystery....
 
grimreaper said:
My first 64 has the five bar uprights and the bracket. It's a fairly early 64 too. I bought my Barracuda in 1970 so it is possible that it was replaced before I got it but I doubt it. My second 64 Barracuda has the three uprights with no bracket. Another Mopar mystery....
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I see a lot of the center grilles without the center bracket that have broken "ears." I'm 59 and my ears are both broken...LOL Maybe there was a change due to the ears breaking off. Whatever the case may be it wasn't solved. I've seen the broken ears on both styles. I used to think the owners had a mishap but maybe it was just a design flaw.
 
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