Grill Medallion

[av84aal]

I recently acquired an '03 model with only 9500 miles on it. By all measure it appears "100%" original. However, there's one thing that's bothering me. The front grill medallion is black and not chrome. The rear medallion however IS chrome. Does anyone have a good explanation of why this would be?

 

[blazen71]

Someone painted it.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Yep, painted or plasti-dipped...

 

[Pantera]

9500 miles? Thats practically new. Congratulations!!!

 

[1Marauder]

Pictures please! And where did you find this unicorn?

 

[1Marauder]

"Paint it black" was in style for a while?

 

[av84aal]

9500 miles? Thats practically new. Congratulations!!!

Thanks! I already own one with 54K miles but saw this one on eBay and couldn't resist. Would love to keep both but no room. Will be putting up my "old" one for sale on BaT in a week or so.

 

[av84aal]

Pictures please! And where did you find this unicorn?

Found it on eBay. Here's the listing with photos: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2757655462...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Only real problem is that there were absolutely no service records or anything else save for a CarFax. I'll have to have all the fluids changed but otherwise it's a real gem.

 

[1Marauder]

Wow Yikesa - that is perfect! Looks like you got a great deal! I love the 300A because the gas door has no finger ridge to open. It just looks so smooth!

 

[BackNBlack]

Yep, painted or plasti-dipped...

Looks like they did the chrome around the side windows. I wonder why not the rear badge?

 

[av84aal]

They originally wanted $39.9 for it. I saw one with only 148 miles on it go for $40K on BaT last year so I figured it wasn't worth that much. Finally agreed to $32.5.

 

[av84aal]

You're right! I just noticed that. Good question. My dilemma now is do I replace the front one with an OEM chrome one or make the rear one black? I tend to lean strongly towards originality.

 

[blazen71]

Covering the chrome window trim with black tape was a fad on the forum years ago. You should be able to just pull it off. If you like things original, take a look at your mufflers. They've been replaced with what looks like Flowmaster.

https://www.gdmjoe.com/mod-driveline.html (click link, then click "exterior". Scroll down to Window Trim - Door Handle Guard)

https://www.gdmjoe.com/gothvic/exterior/BlackOutTapeInstructions.jpg

 

[av84aal]

Covering the chrome window trim with black tape was a fad on the forum years ago. You should be able to just pull it off. If you like things original, take a look at your mufflers. They've been replaced with what looks like Flowmaster.

https://www.gdmjoe.com/mod-driveline.html (click link, then click "exterior". Scroll down to Window Trim - Door Handle Guard)

https://www.gdmjoe.com/gothvic/exterior/BlackOutTapeInstructions.jpg

Good catch! Well if it's tape they did a really good job. Can't find any edges. Also, you're spot on with the muffler. First time I started it I said, "that doesn't sound right". That will be one of the first of fortunately not too many changes I'll make to bring it back to original.